Matthew 15:20

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

These {G5023} are {G2076} the things which {G3588} defile {G2840} a man {G444}: but {G1161} to eat {G5315} with unwashen {G449} hands {G5495} defileth {G2840} not {G3756} a man {G444}.

Complete Jewish Bible

These are what really make a person unclean, but eating without doing n'tilat-yadayim does not make a person unclean."

Berean Standard Bible

These are what defile a man, but eating with unwashed hands does not defile him.”

American Standard Version

these are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not the man.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 15:20 serves as a pivotal summary statement in Jesus' discourse on true defilement, unequivocally declaring that ritualistic handwashing does not render a person unclean before God. Instead, Jesus asserts that genuine defilement originates from the evil thoughts and intentions that proceed from the human heart, which then manifest in sinful actions, fundamentally shifting the focus from external ceremonial purity to internal moral and spiritual integrity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes a significant confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees and scribes, initiated by their challenge regarding His disciples' failure to observe the "tradition of the elders" concerning ceremonial handwashing before meals ([Matthew 15:1-2](/matthew/15-1-2 "The Pharisees Question Jesus' Disciples")). Jesus responds by accusing them of hypocrisy, highlighting how their human traditions nullified God's commandments ([Matthew 15:3-9](/matthew/15-3-9 "Jesus Rebukes the Pharisees' Hypocrisy")). He then calls the crowd and explains His principle: "Not what goes into the mouth defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person" ([Matthew 15:10-11](/matthew/15-10-11 "What Truly Defiles a Person")). After Peter requests clarification ([Matthew 15:15](/matthew/15-15 "Peter Asks for an Explanation")), Jesus elaborates on the source of true defilement, explicitly listing wicked intentions and actions that originate from the heart ([Matthew 15:18-19](/matthew/15-18-19 "The Heart as the Source of Defilement")). Matthew 15:20 thus functions as a concise summation of this profound teaching, reiterating the distinction between external ritual and internal moral corruption.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "tradition of the elders" was a body of oral law developed by Jewish rabbis, which the Pharisees meticulously observed and elevated to a status comparable to, or even above, the written Mosaic Law. Ceremonial handwashing, known as _netilat yadayim_, was one such tradition, intended to ensure ritual purity before eating, particularly for those who had touched something unclean or were preparing for sacred meals. This practice was not explicitly commanded in the Torah but evolved as a fence around the Law, aiming to prevent accidental defilement. The Pharisees' confrontation with Jesus highlights the tension between strict adherence to these man-made traditions and the spirit of God's actual commandments. Their concern was with external, visible purity, reflecting a broader cultural emphasis on ritual cleanliness within certain Jewish sects of the Second Temple period.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Matthew's Gospel and broader biblical theology. It underscores **The Source of True Defilement: The Heart**, decisively shifting the focus from external, ceremonial purity to internal, moral purity. Jesus teaches that what truly corrupts a person's relationship with God is not what goes into the mouth, but what comes out of the heart in the form of evil intentions and actions. This highlights the supremacy of **Inward Purity Over Outward Ritual**, emphasizing spiritual integrity over mere adherence to religious rituals or human traditions. Jesus exposes the hypocrisy of those who meticulously observe outward forms while neglecting the condition of their inner being, echoing prophetic critiques of empty ritualism found in the Old Testament, such as God's disdain for mere sacrifices without obedience ([Isaiah 1:11-17](/isaiah/1-11-17 "God's Disdain for Empty Rituals")). Finally, the verse represents a direct **Critique of Legalism and Human Tradition**. By declaring that "to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man," Jesus directly challenges the legalistic interpretations and man-made rules that had become central to the religious practices of the Pharisees, asserting God's ultimate authority over human customs, a theme also powerfully presented in the parallel account in [Mark 7:1-23](/mark/7-1-23 "Mark's Parallel Account of True Defilement").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **defile (Greek, _koinóō'_):** From G2840, meaning "to make (or consider) profane (ceremonially)." In a Jewish context, this term referred to making something common, unholy, or unclean, particularly in a ritual sense. Jesus redefines its primary meaning here to refer to moral and spiritual uncleanness, distinguishing it sharply from physical or ritual defilement. He argues that true defilement is not about violating ceremonial purity laws but about a corrupted inner state that produces evil actions.
* **unwashen (Greek, _ániptos'_):** From G449, meaning "without ablution." This word specifically refers to the lack of ceremonial washing, directly addressing the Pharisees' concern. Its use highlights the external, ritualistic nature of the practice Jesus is critiquing, contrasting it with the internal, spiritual state of a person.
* **man (Greek, _ánthrōpos'_):** From G444, meaning "a human being." This term is generic, emphasizing that Jesus' teaching applies to all people, not just a specific group. It underscores the universal truth that spiritual defilement is an issue of the human heart, common to all humanity, regardless of their adherence to external rituals.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"These are [the things] which defile a man:"** This clause refers back to the list of evils Jesus just enumerated in [Matthew 15:19](/matthew/15-19 "The Evils That Come From the Heart"), which include "evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies." It serves as a conclusive statement, identifying the true sources of moral and spiritual impurity that separate a person from God.
* **"but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man."** This contrasting clause directly refutes the Pharisees' accusation and their underlying legalistic worldview. Jesus explicitly states that the ritualistic act of eating without first performing ceremonial handwashing does not, in fact, render a person spiritually or morally defiled before God. This declaration dismantles the authority of human traditions when they contradict or overshadow God's true priorities.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Contrast** as its primary literary device, starkly juxtaposing what truly defiles a person (internal evil from the heart) with what does not (external ritual impurity like unwashed hands). This contrast highlights Jesus' radical redefinition of purity. There is also an element of **Reversal**, as Jesus overturns the prevailing religious understanding of His time, challenging the deeply ingrained legalistic mindset that prioritized outward conformity over inward transformation. The verse functions as a **Didactic Statement**, a clear and authoritative teaching that encapsulates a core principle of the Kingdom of God, emphasizing the supremacy of spiritual reality over mere physical or ceremonial observance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 15:20 stands as a foundational statement regarding the nature of true holiness, aligning Jesus' teaching with the prophetic tradition of the Old Testament and setting the stage for New Testament theology concerning inner transformation. The prophets consistently critiqued outward religious observance devoid of inward righteousness, emphasizing that God desires a contrite heart and obedience over mere ritual sacrifice ([1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "Obedience is Better than Sacrifice")). Jesus here clarifies that defilement is not a matter of external contact or ritual impurity, but a deep-seated issue of the human heart, which is the wellspring of moral good or evil. This teaching anticipates the New Covenant's emphasis on a renewed heart and mind, where righteousness is not achieved through adherence to external laws but through an internal transformation wrought by God's Spirit, leading to genuine love and obedience. It underscores that God's primary concern is the spiritual condition of His people, not their meticulous adherence to man-made rules or even misapplied ceremonial laws.

* [Mark 7:15](/mark/7-15 "What Comes Out of a Person Defiles Them")
* [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Guard Your Heart")
* [Romans 14:14](/romans/14-14 "Nothing is Unclean in Itself")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 15:20 serves as a profound and enduring call to self-examination and spiritual authenticity for believers today. In a world often preoccupied with appearances and outward performance, Jesus' words redirect our focus to the true condition of our hearts. This verse challenges us to move beyond superficial religiosity or cultural expectations and to genuinely prioritize internal transformation. It compels us to recognize that our thoughts, intentions, and desires are not neutral; they are the very source from which our words and actions flow, determining our true moral standing before God. Therefore, cultivating a pure heart—one free from malice, pride, lust, and deceit—is paramount. This requires diligent self-awareness, confession, and reliance on the Holy Spirit to cleanse and renew our inner being, ensuring that our outward lives are a genuine reflection of an inwardly purified heart.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be prioritizing external appearances or religious rituals over the true condition of my heart?**
* **What "unwashed hands" (human traditions, superficial practices, or cultural norms) might I be focusing on, potentially neglecting deeper spiritual issues of the heart?**
* **How do my thoughts and intentions (from the heart) manifest in my words and actions, and what steps can I take to align them more fully with God's will?**

### FAQ

**Question?** Why did the Pharisees emphasize handwashing so much if it wasn't in the Old Testament Law?

Answer: The Pharisees' emphasis on ceremonial handwashing, and other similar practices, stemmed from the "tradition of the elders" (Hebrew: _halakha_). This was a body of oral traditions, interpretations, and rulings developed by generations of rabbis, which they believed were divinely revealed alongside the written Torah, or at least provided a "fence" around the Law to prevent its transgression. While the Mosaic Law contained various purity codes, ceremonial handwashing before meals was a rabbinic injunction, not a direct command from God in the Pentateuch. The Pharisees rigorously observed these traditions, elevating them to a high status, often viewing their meticulous adherence as a mark of true piety and holiness. Their concern was to maintain a heightened state of ritual purity in all aspects of life, reflecting a desire for holiness that, unfortunately, sometimes overshadowed the weightier matters of the Law like justice, mercy, and faithfulness ([Matthew 23:23](/matthew/23-23 "Woe to the Scribes and Pharisees")).

**Question?** Does this verse mean physical hygiene doesn't matter?

Answer: Absolutely not. Jesus' teaching in [Matthew 15:20](/matthew/15-20 "What Truly Defiles a Person") is not about practical physical hygiene but about spiritual and moral defilement. He is addressing the Pharisees' religious legalism concerning ceremonial purity, not common sense cleanliness. Maintaining physical hygiene is a matter of wisdom, health, and respect for oneself and others, and it is certainly not condemned by this verse. Jesus' point is that a lack of ritual washing does not make a person morally unclean before God, nor does it hinder one's relationship with Him. The focus is entirely on the source of sin and impurity in the human heart, not on external physical conditions.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 15:20, in its profound redefinition of defilement, points directly to the necessity and sufficiency of Jesus Christ. By exposing the inadequacy of external rituals and human traditions to cleanse the human heart, Jesus reveals the deep-seated problem of sin that only a divine solution can address. He himself is the ultimate answer to the defilement of the heart. The Old Testament longed for a new covenant where God would put His law within His people and write it on their hearts ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "The New Covenant: Law on the Heart")), and give them a new heart and a new spirit ([Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezechiel/36-26-27 "A New Heart and Spirit")). Jesus, through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, fulfills these prophecies. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")), providing the only true cleansing for the conscience and the heart ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Christ's Blood Cleanses Our Consciences")). Through faith in Him, believers are not merely outwardly washed, but are inwardly regenerated and purified by His Spirit ([Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Washing of Regeneration and Renewal of the Holy Spirit")). Thus, what human rituals could never accomplish—a truly clean heart—Christ achieves fully, enabling His followers to live from an inner purity that produces righteous fruit ([Matthew 7:17-18](/matthew/7-17-18 "Good Tree Bears Good Fruit")) and genuine worship.

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 7:3

For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash [their] hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

Mark 7:4

And [when they come] from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, [as] the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.

1 Corinthians 6:9

¶ Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

1 Corinthians 6:11

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Luke 11:38

And when the Pharisee saw [it], he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.

Luke 11:40

[Ye] fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?

Matthew 23:25

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.