Matthew 15:11

Modern

A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.”

Traditional

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

Literal

Not what is entering into the mouth defiles the man; but what is proceeding out of the mouth, this defiles the man.”

Latin

Non quod intrat in os, coinquinat hominem: sed quod procedit ex ore, hoc coinquinat hominem.

Greek

English

A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.”

What enters his mouth: Jesus may have been speaking about foods that the law did not allow (such as pork or shellfish) or food made unclean by unwashed hands (Matthew 15:20).
What makes a person defiled also makes them unfit to be with God. Jesus moved the focus from outward rules of purity to the true purity of the heart (see 15:18–19; 23:25–26; Acts 10:1–48; Romans 14:14).
A person’s words show their true character (see Matthew 15:18–20; James 3:1–12).

Jesus accused the Pharisees of disobeying God's law because of their focus on preserving traditions.

Theme notes and profiles

Mark 7:15
Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him; but the things that come out of a man, these are what defile him.”
Matthew 15:18–20
But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man.
James 3:5–8
In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze.
1 Timothy 4:4–5
For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected,
Matthew 12:34–37
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
Acts 10:14–15
“No, Lord!” Peter answered. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 12:2
They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.
Luke 11:38–41
But the Pharisee was surprised to see that Jesus did not first wash before the meal.
Romans 3:13–14
“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.”
Isaiah 59:13–15
…rebelling and denying the LORD, turning away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering lies from the heart.
Psalm 10:7
His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and violence; trouble and malice are under his tongue.