Matthew 15:11

KJV

Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

KJV (with Strong's)

Not {G3756} that which goeth {G1525} into {G1519} the mouth {G4750} defileth {G2840} a man {G444}; but {G235} that which cometh {G1607} out of {G1537} the mouth {G4750}, this {G5124} defileth {G2840} a man {G444}.

Complete Jewish Bible

What makes a person unclean is not what goes into his mouth; rather, what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him unclean!"

Berean Standard Bible

A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.”

American Standard Version

Not that which entereth into the mouth defileth the man; but that which proceedeth out of the mouth, this defileth the man.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 15:11, Jesus delivers a revolutionary teaching that fundamentally redefines the nature of purity and defilement, shifting the focus from external ritual observances to the internal condition of the human heart. Challenging the prevailing traditions of the Pharisees, Jesus declares that true defilement does not originate from what enters the body through the mouth, such as food or unwashed hands, but rather from the evil intentions, thoughts, and words that proceed from within a person. This statement serves as a pivotal moment in His ministry, exposing the hypocrisy of legalism and emphasizing that genuine righteousness is a matter of the heart, not outward conformity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a direct confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees and scribes who had traveled from Jerusalem. The immediate catalyst for this exchange was their criticism of Jesus' disciples for [not observing the tradition of the elders regarding ceremonial handwashing before eating](/matthew/15-2 "Matthew 15:2 - Pharisees' Criticism of Unwashed Hands"). Jesus responds by exposing their hypocrisy, arguing that their human traditions had nullified God's commandments, specifically citing their distortion of the Corban vow ([Matthew 15:3-9](/matthew/15-3-9 "Matthew 15:3-9 - Jesus Rebukes the Pharisees")). He then calls the crowd to listen and understand this profound truth about defilement, which He later explains more fully to His disciples in [Matthew 15:15-20](/matthew/15-15-20 "Matthew 15:15-20 - Jesus Explains True Defilement"). The verse thus marks a critical turning point where Jesus publicly challenges the very foundation of external, legalistic purity.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish society, particularly among the Pharisees, placed immense importance on ritual purity laws derived from the Old Testament and elaborated upon by oral traditions. These traditions, known as the "tradition of the elders," extended beyond the written law to encompass meticulous rules about food preparation, ceremonial washings, and interactions with anything considered "unclean." The concern was not merely hygiene but maintaining a state of ritual purity to be acceptable before God and within the community. This context highlights the radical nature of Jesus' teaching; He was directly challenging deeply ingrained religious practices and beliefs that had become central to Jewish identity and piety, asserting that their focus on outward observance missed the true essence of God's demands.

* **Key Themes:** Matthew 15:11 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel and Jesus' broader ministry. Firstly, it underscores the **Redefinition of Purity**, moving beyond the ceremonial and external to the moral and internal. Jesus consistently emphasizes that true righteousness originates from the heart, as seen in the [Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/5 "Matthew 5 - The Sermon on the Mount"), where He teaches on inner attitudes toward anger, lust, and oaths ([Matthew 5:21-48](/matthew/5-21-48 "Matthew 5:21-48 - Jesus' Teachings on Righteousness")). Secondly, it highlights Jesus' **Critique of Legalism and Hypocrisy**. Throughout His ministry, Jesus condemns those who prioritize outward religious performance over genuine inner transformation and love for God and neighbor ([Matthew 23:1-39](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Jesus Condemns the Pharisees")). This verse powerfully asserts that the Pharisees' meticulous adherence to external rituals, while neglecting the state of their hearts, rendered them truly defiled in God's eyes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **defileth (Greek, _koinóō'_):** From G2840, meaning "to make common," "unclean," or "pollute" (ceremonially or morally). In Jewish thought, something "common" was profane or ritually impure, unfit for sacred use. Jesus' use of this word here is revolutionary, reinterpreting what truly makes one _koinóō_ in God's eyes, moving beyond ceremonial uncleanness to moral and spiritual impurity that originates from the heart's intentions and desires.
* **mouth (Greek, _stóma'_):** From G4750, referring to the physical opening of the mouth, but by implication, language and its relations. Figuratively, it can also denote an opening. In this context, "mouth" serves as a metonymy, representing both the intake of food and, more significantly, the output of words and expressions that reveal the inner state of a person.
* **goeth (Greek, _eisérchomai'_):** From G1525, meaning "to enter" (literally or figuratively). Here, it refers to things entering the mouth, specifically food or drink, which the Pharisees believed could ritually defile a person.
* **cometh out (Greek, _ekporeúomai'_):):** From G1607, meaning "to depart," "be discharged," or "proceed out of." This term stands in direct antithesis to "goeth into," emphasizing the origin of defilement as something that *emanates* from within the person, specifically through speech and actions that reveal the heart's true condition.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man":** This clause directly challenges the prevailing Jewish understanding of ritual purity, particularly as practiced by the Pharisees. Jesus asserts that external elements, such as food or the act of eating with unwashed hands, do not possess the power to render a person spiritually or morally unclean in God's sight. This statement directly contradicts the emphasis on dietary laws and ceremonial washings as primary means of maintaining purity.
* **"but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man":** This contrasting clause reveals Jesus' radical redefinition of defilement. He declares that true impurity originates from within a person and manifests outwardly through what "comes out of the mouth." This refers not to physical expulsion, but to words, intentions, and actions that are products of an evil heart. Jesus later elaborates that these include "evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies" ([Matthew 15:19](/matthew/15-19 "Matthew 15:19 - What Defiles a Person")). The emphasis is shifted from external observance to internal moral and spiritual condition.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 15:11 is rich in literary devices that amplify its profound message. The most prominent device is **Contrast**, as Jesus sets up a direct antithesis between "that which goeth into the mouth" and "that which cometh out of the mouth." This stark opposition highlights the radical shift in understanding purity that Jesus is introducing. Furthermore, the phrase "out of the mouth" functions as **Metonymy**, where the physical mouth stands for the words, intentions, and character that originate from the heart. The statement also carries an element of **Paradox** for its original audience, as it overturns deeply ingrained religious customs and challenges conventional wisdom regarding purity, forcing listeners to reconsider the true source of moral and spiritual defilement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 15:11 is a foundational text for understanding the New Covenant's emphasis on internal transformation over external ritual. Jesus' teaching here transcends the Old Testament's ceremonial laws, revealing that God's primary concern has always been the condition of the human heart, the wellspring of all thoughts, words, and actions. This verse underscores the inherent sinfulness of humanity, asserting that defilement is not an external contamination but an internal corruption that manifests outwardly. It calls believers to a deeper, more profound understanding of righteousness that goes beyond mere outward compliance to a genuine, Spirit-led transformation of one's inner being. This truth is critical for grasping the essence of the gospel, which addresses the root problem of sin in the human heart.

* [Mark 7:15](/mark/7-15 "Mark 7:15 - Nothing Outside a Person Can Defile Them")
* [Luke 6:45](/luke/6-45 "Luke 6:45 - Out of the Abundance of the Heart the Mouth Speaks")
* [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Keep Your Heart with All Diligence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 15:11 serves as a timeless mirror, inviting us to examine the true source of our spiritual health and moral integrity. In a world often preoccupied with external appearances, social media personas, and outward religious displays, Jesus redirects our gaze inward, reminding us that true purity and defilement originate from the heart. This challenges us to move beyond superficial religiosity and to cultivate an authentic inner life transformed by God's grace. Our words, actions, and even our unspoken thoughts are not merely incidental; they are direct manifestations of what truly resides within us. Therefore, genuine spiritual growth involves a continuous process of allowing the Holy Spirit to cleanse and renew our hearts, ensuring that what "comes out of the mouth" is honoring to God and edifying to others, rather than defiling.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be prioritizing external appearances or religious rituals over the true condition of my heart?**
* **What do my words and actions reveal about the true state of my inner being?**
* **How can I actively seek the Holy Spirit's work to cleanse and transform my heart, rather than merely focusing on outward behavior modification?**
* **How does Jesus' teaching on defilement challenge my understanding of sin and righteousness?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse abolish Old Testament dietary laws?**

Answer: While Matthew 15:11 does not explicitly abolish the Old Testament dietary laws, it lays the theological groundwork for their eventual fulfillment and reinterpretation in the New Covenant. Jesus' primary point is that ritual purity, particularly concerning food, is secondary to moral purity. The New Testament later clarifies that all foods are clean for believers ([Mark 7:19](/mark/7-19 "Mark 7:19 - Jesus Declares All Foods Clean"); [Acts 10:9-16](/acts/10-9-16 "Acts 10:9-16 - Peter's Vision of the Sheet with Animals"); [Romans 14:14](/romans/14-14 "Romans 14:14 - Nothing is Unclean in Itself")), confirming that the ceremonial dietary laws were part of the old covenant fulfilled in Christ. The emphasis shifts from external regulations to the internal state of faith and conscience.

**What exactly does Jesus mean by "that which cometh out of the mouth"?**

Answer: Jesus clarifies this in the subsequent verses when He explains to His disciples. In [Matthew 15:18-20](/matthew/15-18-20 "Matthew 15:18-20 - What Truly Defiles a Person"), He states, "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man." Therefore, "that which cometh out of the mouth" refers to words, but more profoundly, to the evil intentions, thoughts, and desires that originate in the heart and are expressed through speech and actions. It encompasses all forms of moral and spiritual corruption that emanate from one's inner being.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 15:11 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. This verse reveals the pervasive problem of human defilement, not as an external issue, but as a deep-seated corruption of the heart that no ritual or outward observance can remedy. Jesus, as the sinless Son of God, perfectly embodies the purity that humanity lacks. He is the one who, though tempted in every way, was [without sin](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus was Tempted Yet Without Sin"), demonstrating a heart perfectly aligned with God's will. More profoundly, His atoning sacrifice on the cross addresses the very root of this internal defilement. He became sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through faith in Him, believers receive a new heart and a new spirit, with God's law written upon it ([Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26-27 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit")), enabling them to live from an internal wellspring of purity rather than merely adhering to external regulations. Thus, Christ not only defines true purity but also provides the means for its realization within us, transforming us from the inside out and making us truly clean before God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 7:15

There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

Matthew 15:18

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

Matthew 15:20

These are [the things] which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

James 3:5

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

James 3:8

But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Matthew 12:34

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Matthew 12:37

For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.