Pharisees and Defilement

Matt. 15:1–20

7 Then athe Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. 2 Now 1when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with bunwashed hands, 2they found fault. 3 For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands 3in a special way, holding the ctradition of the elders. 4 When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.

5 dThen the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?”

6 He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you ehypocrites, as it is written:

f‘This people honors Me with their lips,

But their heart is far from Me.

7 And in vain they worship Me,

Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—4the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.”

9 He said to them, “All too well gyou 5reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. 10 For Moses said, h‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, i‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 11 But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, j“Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban”—’ (that is, a gift to God), 12 then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, 13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.”

14 kWhen He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and lunderstand: 15 There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that mdefile a man. 16 nIf 6anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!”

17 oWhen He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. 18 So He said to them, p “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, 19 because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, 7thus purifying all foods?” 20 And He said, q“What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 rFor from within, out of the heart of men, sproceed evil thoughts, tadulteries, ufornications, murders, 22 thefts, vcovetousness, wickedness, wdeceit, xlewdness, an evil eye, yblasphemy, zpride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”