Matthew 15:19

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

Complete Jewish Bible:

For out of the heart come forth wicked thoughts, murder, adultery and other kinds of sexual immorality, theft, lies, slanders. . . .

Berean Standard Bible:

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.

American Standard Version:

For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, railings:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

For^{G1063} out of^{G1537} the heart^{G2588} proceed^{G1831} evil^{G4190} thoughts^{G1261}, murders^{G5408}, adulteries^{G3430}, fornications^{G4202}, thefts^{G2829}, false witness^{G5577}, blasphemies^{G988}:

Cross-References (KJV):

Mark 7:21

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

Mark 7:23

All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Galatians 5:19

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

Galatians 5:21

Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Jeremiah 17:9

The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Titus 3:2

To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, [but] gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

Titus 3:6

Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

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Commentary for Matthew 15:19

Matthew 15:19 is part of a larger discourse in which Jesus is challenging the Pharisees and scribes regarding their traditions and understanding of what truly defiles a person. The verse is situated within the cultural and religious context of first-century Judaism, where there was a strong emphasis on external rituals and purity laws.

In this verse, Jesus teaches that the source of moral defilement is not external but internal—it originates from within the human heart. By listing a series of vices such as "evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies," Jesus identifies the heart as the wellspring of sinful actions. This assertion by Jesus was revolutionary at the time because it shifted the focus from ceremonial cleanliness to moral purity, emphasizing the condition of one's inner life as paramount to true righteousness.

The themes present in this verse include the importance of internal integrity over external appearances, the recognition of the human capacity for moral corruption, and the call to examine one's own heart rather than judging others based on outward behavior. Jesus' teaching here aligns with the broader message of the Gospel, which consistently points to the need for inward transformation and the heart's central role in a person's moral and spiritual life. This verse underscores the idea that genuine faith and holiness are reflected in a person's thoughts and intentions, not merely in their adherence to religious regulations.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

Strong's Number: G1063
There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γάρ
Transliteration: gár
Pronunciation: gar
Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
Strong's Number: G1537
There are 761 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐκ
Transliteration: ek
Pronunciation: ex
Description: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.
Strong's Number: G2588
There are 152 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καρδία
Transliteration: kardía
Pronunciation: kar-dee'-ah
Description: prolonged from a primary (Latin cor, "heart"); the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle:--(+ broken-)heart(-ed).
Strong's Number: G1831
There are 216 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐξέρχομαι
Transliteration: exérchomai
Pronunciation: ex-er'-khom-ahee
Description: from ἐκ and ἔρχομαι; to issue (literally or figuratively):--come (forth, out), depart (out of), escape, get out, go (abroad, away, forth, out, thence), proceed (forth), spread abroad.
Strong's Number: G4190
There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πονηρός
Transliteration: ponērós
Pronunciation: pon-ay-ros'
Description: from a derivative of πόνος; hurtful, i.e. evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from κακός, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from σαπρός, which indicates degeneracy from original virtue); figuratively, calamitous; also (passively) ill, i.e. diseased; but especially (morally) culpable, i.e. derelict, vicious, facinorous; neuter (singular) mischief, malice, or (plural) guilt; masculine (singular) the devil, or (plural) sinners:--bad, evil, grievous, harm, lewd, malicious, wicked(-ness). See also πονηρότερος.
Strong's Number: G1261
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: διαλογισμός
Transliteration: dialogismós
Pronunciation: dee-al-og-is-mos'
Description: from διαλογίζομαι; discussion, i.e. (internal) consideration (by implication, purpose), or (external) debate:--dispute, doubtful(-ing), imagination, reasoning, thought.
Strong's Number: G5408
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: φόνος
Transliteration: phónos
Pronunciation: fon'-os
Description: from an obsolete primary (to slay); murder:--murder, + be slain with, slaughter.
Strong's Number: G3430
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μοιχεία
Transliteration: moicheía
Pronunciation: moy-khi'-ah
Description: from μοιχεύω; adultery:--adultery.
Strong's Number: G4202
There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πορνεία
Transliteration: porneía
Pronunciation: por-ni'-ah
Description: from πορνεύω; harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively, idolatry:--fornication.
Strong's Number: G2829
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: κλοπή
Transliteration: klopḗ
Pronunciation: klop-ay'
Description: from κλέπτω; stealing:--theft.
Strong's Number: G5577
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ψευδομαρτυρία
Transliteration: pseudomartyría
Pronunciation: psyoo-dom-ar-too-ree'-ah
Description: from ψευδομάρτυρ; untrue testimony:--false witness.
Strong's Number: G988
There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: βλασφημία
Transliteration: blasphēmía
Pronunciation: blas-fay-me'-ah
Description: from βλάσφημος; vilification (especially against God):--blasphemy, evil speaking, railing.

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