Matthew 15:18

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} those things which {G3588} proceed {G1607} out of {G1537} the mouth {G4750} come forth {G1831} from {G1537} the heart {G2588}; and they {G2548} defile {G2840} the man {G444}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But what comes out of your mouth is actually coming from your heart, and that is what makes a person unclean.

Berean Standard Bible

But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 15:18 presents Jesus' profound teaching on the true source of defilement, shifting the focus from external ritualistic purity to the internal condition of the human heart. In direct contrast to the Pharisees' emphasis on ceremonial washings and traditions, Jesus declares that it is not what enters a person from the outside that makes them unclean, but rather the thoughts, intentions, and words that originate from within their heart, for these are the things that genuinely corrupt and defile a person.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal statement within a broader discourse where Jesus confronts the legalism of the Pharisees and scribes. The immediate preceding verses (Matthew 15:1-9) describe the Pharisees questioning Jesus' disciples for not observing the tradition of ceremonial handwashing before eating. Jesus responds by accusing them of nullifying God's commandments for the sake of their own traditions, citing their misuse of the *Corban* vow as an example. He then calls the crowd and his disciples to listen, declaring in [Matthew 15:11](/matthew/15-11 "Matthew 15:11 - What Defiles a Person") that "Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man." [Matthew 15:18](/matthew/15-18 "Matthew 15:18 - The Heart's Origin of Defilement") serves as Jesus' direct explanation and elaboration of this principle, followed by a detailed list of the heart's evil productions in [Matthew 15:19](/matthew/15-19 "Matthew 15:19 - List of Evil Thoughts and Actions"). The entire passage highlights a fundamental clash between external religious observance and internal spiritual reality.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Judaism, particularly among the Pharisees, placed significant emphasis on ritual purity laws derived from the Mosaic Law and expanded upon by oral traditions. These traditions, known as the "tradition of the elders," included meticulous rules regarding food, washing, and contact with "unclean" things. The concern was often with avoiding ceremonial defilement that would prevent participation in temple worship or communal meals. Jesus' teaching directly challenged this prevailing mindset by asserting that true defilement was not a matter of physical contamination but of moral and spiritual corruption originating from within. This was a radical reinterpretation that undermined the authority of the oral law and redirected attention to the inner life, a concept that would have been deeply unsettling to those who derived their righteousness from outward adherence.

* **Key Themes:** This passage, including [Matthew 15:18](/matthew/15-18 "Matthew 15:18 - The Heart's Origin of Defilement"), is central to several key themes in Matthew's Gospel and Jesus' broader teaching. Foremost is the theme of **Internal Purity vs. External Rituals**, where Jesus consistently prioritizes the condition of the heart over outward religious performance. This is echoed in the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus delves into the internal motivations behind actions like anger and lust ([Matthew 5:21-28](/matthew/5-21-28 "Matthew 5:21-28 - Adultery and Murder of the Heart")). Another crucial theme is the **Authority of Jesus** to reinterpret and fulfill the Law, demonstrating His divine insight into God's true intentions beyond the superficial interpretations of the religious leaders. Finally, the passage emphasizes the **Radical Nature of Sin**, revealing it not merely as a transgression of external rules but as a deep-seated corruption originating from the core of human existence, the "heart," which then manifests in defiling words and deeds, as further detailed in [Matthew 15:19](/matthew/15-19 "Matthew 15:19 - The Heart's Evil Productions").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **proceed (Greek, _ekporeúomai'_):** (G1607) This verb signifies "to depart, be discharged, proceed, project." In the context of "out of the mouth," it emphasizes the origin and emission of words. It implies that what is spoken is not merely uttered but "comes forth" or "issues" from an internal source, highlighting a direct causal link between the inner state and outward expression.
* **heart (Greek, _kardía'_):** (G2588) Prolonged from a primary root, *kardía* refers to the physical heart, but biblically and figuratively, it denotes the very core of a person's being. It is the seat of intellect, will, emotions, and moral character. Jesus' use of *kardía* here is crucial; it means that the source of human action and defilement is not superficial but deeply rooted in one's innermost thoughts, intentions, and desires.
* **defile (Greek, _koinóō'_):** (G2840) Derived from *koinós* (common), this verb means "to make (or consider) profane (ceremonially); to call common, pollute, unclean." In this context, Jesus redefines defilement from a ceremonial, external uncleanness (as understood by the Pharisees) to a moral and spiritual impurity. What truly makes a person "unclean" in God's eyes is the corruption of their inner being, which then expresses itself outwardly.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But those things which proceed out of the mouth":** Jesus introduces a contrast ("But") to the Pharisees' external focus. He refers to words and utterances ("things which proceed out of the mouth") as the outward manifestations of a person's inner state. This phrase sets up the cause-and-effect relationship that follows, indicating that spoken words are not neutral but carry moral weight because of their origin.
* **"come forth from the heart;":** This clause reveals the true origin point of the "things which proceed out of the mouth." The "heart" is presented as the wellspring of human expression and action. It signifies that words are not random or accidental but are direct emanations from the deepest part of one's being—the mind, will, and moral center. This establishes the heart as the primary locus of moral responsibility.
* **"and they defile the man.":** This final clause states the consequence. The things that originate from the heart and are expressed through the mouth are what truly "defile" or make a person unclean. This defilement is not ceremonial but moral and spiritual, impacting one's relationship with God and one's character. It is a declaration that inner corruption, not outward ritual impurity, is the genuine source of spiritual uncleanness.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 15:18 employs several powerful literary devices. **Metaphor** is central, as Jesus uses the physical "mouth" and "heart" to represent the outward expression and the inner core of human existence, respectively. The "things which proceed out of the mouth" are a **synecdoche** for all external actions and words that reveal one's character. There is a clear **contrast** established between the Pharisees' focus on external purity (implied from the preceding verses) and Jesus' emphasis on internal defilement. This verse functions as a **cause-and-effect** statement, directly linking the heart as the cause to defilement as the effect. Furthermore, the passage utilizes **redefinition**, as Jesus redefines the very concept of "defilement" from a ceremonial to a moral and spiritual one, challenging the prevailing understanding of His audience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 15:18 is a cornerstone of biblical anthropology and ethics, profoundly shifting the understanding of purity from external ritual to internal moral condition. It asserts that human actions and words are not isolated incidents but are direct outflows of the heart's true state. This teaching dismantles the notion that external conformity to laws or traditions can achieve true righteousness, emphasizing instead that genuine defilement stems from the corrupted inner being. It highlights the pervasive nature of sin, which originates not from external contact but from the very core of human will and thought. This understanding underscores the necessity of a transformed heart, a theme central to the New Covenant where God promises to write His law on hearts and give new spirits.

* [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guard Your Heart")
* [Luke 6:45](/luke/6-45 "Luke 6:45 - The Good and Evil Treasures of the Heart")
* [Mark 7:20-23](/mark/7-20-23 "Mark 7:20-23 - What Truly Defiles a Person")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 15:18 serves as a profound call to introspection and a radical re-evaluation of what truly matters in our spiritual lives. It challenges us to look beyond outward appearances, religious observances, or even our spoken intentions, and to examine the wellspring from which all our words and actions flow: the heart. If our words are harsh, our thoughts impure, or our actions self-serving, this verse tells us that the problem lies not in external circumstances but in the deeper recesses of our being. True transformation, therefore, cannot be superficial; it must begin with a divine work within the heart. This requires honest self-assessment, repentance for the inner evils that defile us, and a constant reliance on God to cleanse and renew our innermost thoughts and desires. The pursuit of external righteousness without internal purity is, as Jesus taught, ultimately futile and hypocritical.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "things" are proceeding out of my mouth that might indicate an unhealthy heart condition?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of what it means to be "clean" or "defiled" in God's eyes?**
* **What practical steps can I take to allow God to work on the "heart" from which my words and actions spring?**

### FAQ

**What is the "heart" in biblical terms, as used in Matthew 15:18?**

Answer: In biblical thought, particularly in the New Testament, the "heart" (Greek: *kardía*) is far more than just the organ that pumps blood. It represents the very core of a person's being—the seat of their intellect, will, emotions, and moral character. It is the center of one's personality, motivations, and the source of all thoughts, desires, and intentions. Therefore, when Jesus says things "come forth from the heart," he means they originate from the deepest, most authentic part of who a person is, encompassing their beliefs, values, and innermost desires, as also seen in [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guarding the Heart").

**How does Jesus' teaching in Matthew 15:18 differ from the Pharisees' understanding of defilement?**

Answer: Jesus' teaching fundamentally redefines defilement. The Pharisees focused on external, ceremonial defilement, which they believed occurred through contact with ritually unclean objects or failure to observe traditions like handwashing before meals, as described in [Matthew 15:1-2](/matthew/15-1-2 "Matthew 15:1-2 - Pharisees Question Jesus about Traditions"). They were concerned with outward conformity to the Law and their oral traditions. Jesus, however, asserts that true defilement is moral and spiritual, originating from the evil thoughts and intentions within the human heart. He argues that outward actions and words are merely symptoms of an inner spiritual corruption, making His teaching a radical departure from the legalistic interpretations of the time, as further elaborated in [Mark 7:20-23](/mark/7-20-23 "Mark 7:20-23 - What Truly Defiles").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 15:18, by revealing the heart as the true source of defilement, powerfully underscores humanity's desperate need for a radical, internal transformation that only Christ can provide. The Old Covenant, with its emphasis on external laws and rituals, could only expose the depth of human sin and the inability of outward observances to cleanse the inner person. Jesus, as the ultimate fulfillment of the Law, does not merely point out the problem of the defiled heart; He offers the solution. Through His atoning sacrifice, He provides the means for a new covenant where God promises to "put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts" ([Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant Promise"), echoing [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - God's Law on the Heart")). The coming of the Holy Spirit, promised by Jesus ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit, the Helper")), empowers believers to live from a new, regenerated heart, enabling them to produce good fruit that genuinely glorifies God ([Matthew 7:17-20](/matthew/7-17-20 "Matthew 7:17-20 - By Their Fruits You Will Know Them")). Thus, Matthew 15:18 is not just a diagnosis of human depravity but an implicit call to the cleansing and renewal found only in Christ, who makes all things new, starting from the inside out ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")).

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

Proverbs 15:28

¶ The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

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 15:11

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

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.

James 3:10

Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Proverbs 10:32

The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked [speaketh] frowardness.

Proverbs 15:2

¶ The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.