Matthew 15:17

KJV

Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

KJV (with Strong's)

Do {G3539} not {G3768} ye {G3539} yet {G3768} understand {G3539}, that {G3754} whatsoever {G3956} entereth in {G1531} at {G1519} the mouth {G4750} goeth {G5562} into {G1519} the belly {G2836}, and {G2532} is cast out {G1544} into {G1519} the draught {G856}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Don't you see that anything that enters the mouth goes into the stomach and passes out into the latrine?

Berean Standard Bible

“Do you not yet realize that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then is eliminated?

American Standard Version

Perceive ye not, that whatsoever goeth into the mouth passeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 15:17, Jesus directly confronts His disciples' lack of spiritual discernment, challenging their failure to grasp the profound truth He had just articulated regarding defilement. He employs a rhetorical question to highlight the undeniable physical process of digestion and excretion, contrasting it sharply with the internal, spiritual nature of true purity and impurity. This verse serves as a pivotal point in Jesus' teaching, fundamentally shifting the focus from external ritualistic adherence to the internal condition of the heart as the true source of moral and spiritual defilement.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of a larger discourse in [Matthew 15](/matthew/15 "Matthew 15 - Jesus Confronts Traditions") where Jesus engages in a direct confrontation with the Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem. The conflict begins with the Pharisees questioning why Jesus' disciples do not observe the tradition of ceremonially washing their hands before eating, a practice not mandated by Mosaic Law but by rabbinic tradition ([Matthew 15:1-2](/matthew/15-1-2 "Matthew 15:1-2 - Pharisees Question Handwashing")). Jesus responds by rebuking them for nullifying the commandment of God for the sake of their tradition, citing their disregard for honoring parents ([Matthew 15:3-9](/matthew/15-3-9 "Matthew 15:3-9 - Jesus Rebukes Pharisees")). He then calls the crowd and delivers a foundational teaching: "Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man" ([Matthew 15:10-11](/matthew/15-10-11 "Matthew 15:10-11 - True Defilement")). The disciples, particularly Peter, are perplexed by this "parable" and ask for an explanation ([Matthew 15:15](/matthew/15-15 "Matthew 15:15 - Peter Asks for Explanation")), prompting Jesus' exasperated rhetorical question in [Matthew 15:16](/matthew/15-16 "Matthew 15:16 - Jesus' Question to Disciples"), which directly precedes and sets the stage for the clarifying statement in [Matthew 15:17](/matthew/15-17 "Matthew 15:17 - Physical vs. Spiritual Purity"). This verse, therefore, marks the beginning of Jesus' explicit unpacking of His earlier enigmatic statement.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish society, particularly under the influence of Pharisaic Judaism, placed immense importance on ritual purity laws. These laws, derived from the Mosaic Law but significantly expanded by oral tradition (Halakha), governed nearly every aspect of daily life, including food preparation, eating, social interactions, and ceremonial washings. The concept of "defilement" (Hebrew: *ṭum'ah*; Greek: *koinoō*) was primarily understood in a ritualistic sense, referring to a state of impurity that prevented participation in religious activities or fellowship with God. This system often led to an externalized religion where adherence to outward observances became paramount, sometimes overshadowing the moral and ethical demands of God's law. Jesus' teaching in [Matthew 15](/matthew/15 "Matthew 15 - Jesus Challenges Tradition") directly challenged this deeply ingrained cultural and religious paradigm, asserting a radical shift from external, ceremonial purity to internal, moral purity. His audience, including His disciples, was steeped in this tradition, making His teaching revolutionary and difficult to comprehend.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme emerging from [Matthew 15:17](/matthew/15-17 "Matthew 15:17 - The Nature of Defilement") and the surrounding discourse is the **true source of defilement**. Jesus emphatically redefines purity, shifting it from external ritualistic observances (like handwashing or dietary laws) to the internal condition of the human heart. This highlights the theme of **internal purity versus external rituals**, emphasizing that God is concerned with the moral and spiritual state of a person, not merely their outward conformity to human traditions. The disciples' struggle to grasp this truth also underscores the theme of **understanding and spiritual discernment**. Jesus' rhetorical question reveals His frustration with their spiritual dullness, emphasizing the critical need for His followers to move beyond superficial interpretations and grasp the deeper, spiritual realities of God's kingdom. This teaching also contributes to the broader theme of **Jesus' authority to reinterpret and fulfill the Law**, demonstrating His divine prerogative to transcend and reframe the traditional understanding of Mosaic and oral laws.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **understand (Greek, _noiéō'_):** Derived from *nous* (mind), this verb signifies the act of exercising the mind, perceiving, comprehending, or heeding. In [Matthew 15:17](/matthew/15-17 "Matthew 15:17 - Understanding Purity"), Jesus' use of *noiéō* underscores His expectation that His disciples should be able to grasp the spiritual implications of His teaching, moving beyond a superficial or purely physical interpretation. It points to a need for intellectual and spiritual discernment.
* **belly (Greek, _koilía'_):** This word literally refers to a hollow cavity, specifically the abdomen or stomach. By implication, it can also refer to the womb. Figuratively, as used elsewhere in scripture, it can represent the seat of emotions or the inner being (e.g., [John 7:38](/john/7-38 "John 7:38 - Rivers of Living Water")). In this context, Jesus uses *koilía* in its literal sense to denote the digestive tract, emphasizing the purely physical, non-spiritual destination of ingested food.
* **draught (Greek, _aphedrṓn'_):** This term refers to a place of sitting apart, specifically a privy, latrine, or sewer. It is a graphic and unambiguous term for a place where bodily waste is expelled. Jesus' use of *aphedrṓn* serves to highlight the natural, biological process of digestion and elimination, reinforcing the point that what enters the body is physically processed and then discarded, thus having no lasting spiritual or moral impact on a person's purity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Do not ye yet understand,"**: This is a rhetorical question, expressing Jesus' surprise and mild exasperation at His disciples' continued lack of comprehension. It implies that the truth He is about to explain should be obvious to them, especially given their close proximity to His teaching. The phrase "yet" (Greek, *oúpō*) emphasizes their ongoing spiritual dullness despite previous instruction.
* **"that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly,"**: This clause describes the initial, common-sense observation of the digestive process. Jesus states the undeniable fact that food, once consumed, proceeds into the stomach and digestive system. This physical journey is presented as a neutral, biological function.
* **"and is cast out into the draught?"**: This final clause completes the description of the digestive process, emphasizing its conclusion. The phrase "is cast out" (Greek, *ekbállō*) suggests expulsion, and "draught" (Greek, *aphedrṓn*) refers to the latrine or sewer. This graphic detail serves to underscore the purely physical and transient nature of food's journey through the body, reinforcing Jesus' argument that such a process cannot be the source of spiritual or moral defilement.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs several potent literary devices in [Matthew 15:17](/matthew/15-17 "Matthew 15:17 - Jesus' Teaching on Purity"). Foremost is the **Rhetorical Question**, "Do not ye yet understand...?" This is not a question seeking information but rather a pedagogical tool designed to provoke thought, express mild rebuke, and underscore the self-evident nature of the truth He is conveying. It highlights the disciples' spiritual obtuseness. Furthermore, Jesus uses **Contrast** between the physical realm (food entering the mouth, going into the belly, and being cast out) and the implied spiritual realm (the true source of defilement, which He will elaborate on in subsequent verses). This stark contrast serves to dismantle the prevailing ritualistic understanding of purity. Finally, the verse contains **Graphic Imagery** through the explicit mention of the "belly" and "draught." This vivid and somewhat crude language is intentionally chosen to make Jesus' point undeniable and memorable, emphasizing the purely biological and non-spiritual nature of the digestive process.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 15:17 is a foundational text for understanding Jesus' radical redefinition of purity, moving it from external ritual to internal moral condition. It dismantles the legalistic framework that had burdened Jewish religious life, declaring that physical intake and excretion have no bearing on a person's spiritual standing before God. This teaching liberates believers from the endless pursuit of outward ceremonial cleanliness and directs their attention to the true battleground of the heart. It emphasizes that true defilement originates from within, from evil thoughts, desires, and intentions, which then manifest in defiling words and actions. This theological shift is crucial for understanding the New Covenant, where the focus moves from the letter of the law to its spirit, and from outward performance to inward transformation by the Holy Spirit.

* [Mark 7:18-19](/mark/7-18-19 "Mark 7:18-19 - Jesus Declares All Foods Clean")
* [Romans 14:14](/romans/14-14 "Romans 14:14 - Nothing is Unclean in Itself")
* [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 15:17 serves as a powerful reminder that genuine spirituality is not about outward appearances or adherence to human-made rules, but about the condition of our hearts. In a world often preoccupied with external metrics of success, popularity, or even religious performance, Jesus calls us to a deeper, more introspective examination. This verse challenges us to consider where we place our focus: on what others see, or on what God sees? It compels us to recognize that our true defilement comes from within – from our pride, envy, lust, anger, and selfish ambitions – rather than from external circumstances or dietary choices. For believers today, this means cultivating a pure heart through repentance, seeking God's transformative grace, and allowing the Holy Spirit to conform our inner being to the likeness of Christ. It liberates us from the burden of legalism and invites us into a relationship with God based on grace and truth, where our greatest concern is the purity of our motives and the integrity of our character.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be prioritizing external appearances or human traditions over the internal condition of my heart?**
* **What "defilements" (evil thoughts, desires, words) originate from within me, and how am I addressing them through prayer and spiritual discipline?**
* **How does Jesus' teaching on true purity free me from legalism and invite me into a deeper, more authentic relationship with God?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse mean that what we eat has no impact on our health or well-being?**

Answer: No, [Matthew 15:17](/matthew/15-17 "Matthew 15:17 - Physical vs. Spiritual Purity") primarily addresses the concept of *spiritual* and *moral* defilement, not physical health or dietary wisdom. Jesus' point is that food, regardless of its ceremonial status, does not make a person ritually or morally impure in God's eyes because it is processed and expelled by the body. This teaching liberates believers from the Old Testament dietary laws and human traditions concerning food purity. It does not negate the importance of wise and healthy eating for physical well-being, which is a separate consideration. The Bible encourages good stewardship of our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19-20 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Your Body is a Temple")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 15:17, by shifting the focus of defilement from external matters to the internal state of the heart, profoundly foreshadows the New Covenant established through Christ. Under the Old Covenant, ceremonial purity was a constant concern, requiring elaborate rituals and sacrifices to address defilement. However, Jesus, as the ultimate High Priest and the perfect sacrifice, fulfills and transcends these external requirements. He reveals that true defilement is sin, which originates from the fallen human heart ([Matthew 15:18-19](/matthew/15-18-19 "Matthew 15:18-19 - What Truly Defiles")). The solution to this deep-seated internal impurity is not found in rituals or dietary laws, but in the transformative power of Christ's atoning work. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus provides the means for genuine cleansing—not of the body from external impurities, but of the heart from sin. His blood purifies our consciences from dead works to serve the living God ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing of Conscience")). Thus, Jesus' teaching in [Matthew 15:17](/matthew/15-17 "Matthew 15:17 - The Nature of Defilement") paves the way for the radical spiritual purity offered to all who believe in Him, culminating in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit who empowers believers to live from a new, clean heart ([Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26-27 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit")).

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

Luke 6:45

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

1 Corinthians 6:13

Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body [is] not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.

Matthew 7:19

Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Matthew 7:20

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

James 3:6

And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

Colossians 2:21

(Touch not; taste not; handle not;

Colossians 2:22

Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?