Matthew 15:20
These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
Matthew 15:20
Jesus’ statement here comes after a confrontation with Pharisees over ceremonial handwashing. The religious leaders prioritized ritual purity—“food that enters the mouth cannot defile”—while they defined defilement by external practices. Jesus flips this: what truly contaminates a person comes from the heart (evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, thefts, falsehoods, etc.). In Jewish culture, cleanliness laws were meant to honor God and distinguish Israel from surrounding nations, but Jesus shows that moral defilement proceeds from within, not from food or ritual lapses. The crowd’s behavior—eating with “unwashed hands”—is a stand-in for how a few external rules can overshadow genuine righteousness. Jesus quotes, in effect, Hosea’s and Isaiah’s teachings: “Thus In vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (paraphrased). He uses Scripture to reframe purity: inner repentance and obedience to God’s will trump ceremonial defilement. The broader point is discipleship oriented toward compassion and integrity, not legalistic gymnastics.
This verse anchors a central biblical theme: moral defilement begins in the heart. It foregrounds the internal lineage of sin—desires and motives—over external ritual. It also clarifies the difference between human tradition and divine commands. Jesus is redefining cleanness as relational obedience to God, not merely ritual correctness. This sets the stage for his broader critique of the religious leaders who substitute tradition for transformation. Theologically, it signals the scope of the Kingdom: purity isn’t achieved by avoiding certain foods but by a transformed heart shaped by God’s grace and truth. It points to the pervasive problem of legalism and its distance from mercy. Practically, it invites believers to examine motives behind actions: Are we performing religious duties to impress others, or to honor God and bless neighbors?
In daily life, watch for “defilement” that comes from inside—anger, pride, bitterness, and judgmentalism—more than ritual lapses. For example, you might attend church, observe all the rules, yet harbor cynicism toward people who differ, or justify harsh thoughts about others’ circumstances. Jesus calls you to examine the heart: is your motive love for God and others, or a need to look righteous? Practical steps: confess hidden motives in prayer, practice humility in conflicts, and pursue actions that address real need (feeding the hungry, comforting the grieving). Reconsider what “unclean” means in your context: does it refer to how you treat people, not just what you eat? Embrace grace that cleanses from within, leading to outward obedience that honors God. The goal is a life aligned with God’s heart, not merely spotless externals.
Cross-References: Mark 7:14-23; Isaiah 1:10-17; Hosea 6:6; Titus 1:15-16; James 4:1-3