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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 15:17 "Do you not yet realize that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then is eliminated?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/15-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/40_Mat_15_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 15:17 - What Defiles a Man" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Do you not yet realize that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then is eliminated?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/matthew/15-17.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/matthew/15-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/15.htm">Chapter 15</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/15-16.htm" title="Matthew 15:16">◄</a> Matthew 15:17 <a href="/matthew/15-18.htm" title="Matthew 15:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/matthew/15.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/15.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220Don&#8217t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? <a href="/nlt/matthew/15.htm">New Living Translation</a> “Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. <a href="/esv/matthew/15.htm">English Standard Version</a> Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? <a href="/bsb/matthew/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “Do you not yet realize that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then is eliminated? <a href="/blb/matthew/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Do you not yet understand that everything entering into the mouth goes into the stomach, and is cast out into the sewer? <a href="/kjv/matthew/15.htm">King James Bible</a> Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? <a href="/nkjv/matthew/15.htm">New King James Version</a> Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? <a href="/nasb_/matthew/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? <a href="/nasb/matthew/15.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? <a href="/nasb77/matthew/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? <a href="/lsb/matthew/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and goes into the sewer? <a href="/amp/matthew/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Do you not understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? <a href="/csb/matthew/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “Don’t you realize that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is eliminated? <a href="/hcsb/matthew/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> &#8220Don&#8217t you realize that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is eliminated? <a href="/asv/matthew/15.htm">American Standard Version</a> Perceive ye not, that whatsoever goeth into the mouth passeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? <a href="/cev/matthew/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Don't you know that the food you put into your mouth goes into your stomach and then out of your body? <a href="/erv/matthew/15.htm">English Revised Version</a> Perceive ye not, that whatsoever goeth into the mouth passeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? <a href="/gwt/matthew/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Don't you know that whatever goes into the mouth goes into the stomach and then into a toilet? <a href="/gnt/matthew/15.htm">Good News Translation</a> Don't you understand? Anything that goes into your mouth goes into your stomach and then on out of your body. <a href="/isv/matthew/15.htm">International Standard Version</a> Don't you know that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and then is expelled as waste? <a href="/msb/matthew/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?Do you not yet realize that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then is eliminated? <a href="/net/matthew/15.htm">NET Bible</a> Don't you understand that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach and then passes out into the sewer? <a href="/nheb/matthew/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Do you not understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the belly, and then out of the body? <a href="/wbt/matthew/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Do ye not yet understand, that whatever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? <a href="/wey/matthew/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Do you not understand that whatever enters the mouth passes into the stomach and is afterwards ejected from the body? <a href="/web/matthew/15.htm">World English Bible</a> Don’t you understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the belly and then out of the body? <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Do you not understand that all that is going into the mouth passes into the belly, and is cast forth into the drain? <a href="/blb/matthew/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Do you not yet understand that everything entering into the mouth goes into the stomach, and is cast out into the sewer? <a href="/ylt/matthew/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> do ye not understand that all that is going into the mouth doth pass into the belly, and into the drain is cast forth? <a href="/slt/matthew/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Do ye not yet understand, that everything going into the mouth proceeds to the belly, and is cast out in the privy?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Do you not understand, that whatsoever entereth into the mouth, goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the privy? <a href="/cpdv/matthew/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Do you not understand that everything that enters into the mouth goes into the gut, and is cast into the sewer? <a href="/nabre/matthew/15.htm">New American Bible</a> Do you not realize that everything that enters the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled into the latrine? <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer?<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Do you not know that what enters into the mouth goes into the stomach, and thence, through the intestines, is cast out? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/15.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “Do you not know that anything that enters the mouth goes to the belly and is cast out from there in excretion?”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/15.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth passes into the belly, and is cast out into the sink? <a href="/godbey/matthew/15.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>Do you know that everything entering into the mouth goes into the stomach, and is cast out into excrement?<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/15.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Do ye not observe, that every thing which entereth into the mouth passeth into the belly, and is ejected into the vault? <a href="/mace/matthew/15.htm">Mace New Testament</a> do not ye yet conceive, that whatever enters at the mouth, passes to the belly, and is discharged downwards? <a href="/wey/matthew/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Do you not understand that whatever enters the mouth passes into the stomach and is afterwards ejected from the body? <a href="/worrell/matthew/15.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>Do ye not perceive that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the belly, and is cast forth into the drain?<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/15.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>Do ye not yet know, that whatever goeth into the mouth passeth to the belly and is discharged downwards?<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/15-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=4343" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/15.htm">What Defiles a Man</a> …16“Do you still not understand?” Jesus asked. 17<a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">“</a> <a href="/greek/3539.htm" title="3539: noeite (V-PIA-2P) -- From nous; to exercise the mind, i.e. to comprehend, heed.">Do you not yet realize</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">that</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pan (Adj-NNS) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">whatever</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-NNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1531.htm" title="1531: eisporeuomenon (V-PPM/P-NNS) -- To journey in(to), I go in(to), enter, intervene. From eis and poreuomai; to enter.">enters</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4750.htm" title="4750: stoma (N-ANS) -- The mouth, speech, eloquence in speech, the point of a sword. ">mouth</a> <a href="/greek/5562.htm" title="5562: chōrei (V-PIA-3S) -- From chora; to be in space, i.e. to pass, enter, or to hold, admit.">goes</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">into</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2836.htm" title="2836: koilian (N-AFS) -- From koilos; a cavity, i.e. the abdomen; by implication, the matrix; figuratively, the heart.">stomach</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and then</a> <a href="/greek/1544.htm" title="1544: ekballetai (V-PIM/P-3S) -- To throw (cast, put) out; I banish; I bring forth, produce. From ek and ballo; to eject.">is eliminated?</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases."></a> <a href="/greek/856.htm" title="856: aphedrōna (N-AMS) -- A drain, latrine. From a compound of apo and the base of hedraios; a place of sitting apart, i.e. A privy."></a> 18But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/mark/7-18.htm">Mark 7:18-19</a> “Are you still so dull?” He asked. “Do you not understand? Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, / because it does not enter his heart, but it goes into the stomach and then is eliminated.” (Thus all foods are clean.) <a href="/matthew/12-34.htm">Matthew 12:34</a> You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. <a href="/luke/6-45.htm">Luke 6:45</a> The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. <a href="/romans/14-17.htm">Romans 14:17</a> For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. <a href="/1_corinthians/6-13.htm">1 Corinthians 6:13</a> “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food,” but God will destroy them both. The body is not intended for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. <a href="/acts/10-14.htm">Acts 10:14-15</a> “No, Lord!” Peter answered. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” / The voice spoke to him a second time: “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” <a href="/1_timothy/4-4.htm">1 Timothy 4:4-5</a> For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected, / because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. <a href="/colossians/2-21.htm">Colossians 2:21-22</a> “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”? / These will all perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. <a href="/romans/14-20.htm">Romans 14:20</a> Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to let his eating be a stumbling block. <a href="/titus/1-15.htm">Titus 1:15</a> To the pure, all things are pure; but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure. Indeed, both their minds and their consciences are defiled. <a href="/genesis/1-29.htm">Genesis 1:29-30</a> Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food. / And to every beast of the earth and every bird of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth—everything that has the breath of life in it—I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. <a href="/leviticus/11-2.htm">Leviticus 11:2-47</a> “Say to the Israelites, ‘Of all the beasts of the earth, these ones you may eat: / You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud. / But of those that only chew the cud or only have a divided hoof, you are not to eat the following: The camel, though it chews the cud, does not have a divided hoof; it is unclean for you. ... <a href="/deuteronomy/14-3.htm">Deuteronomy 14:3-21</a> You must not eat any detestable thing. / These are the animals that you may eat: The ox, the sheep, the goat, / the deer, the gazelle, the roe deer, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope, and the mountain sheep. ... <a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">Isaiah 29:13</a> Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men. <a href="/ezekiel/4-14.htm">Ezekiel 4:14</a> “Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I have never defiled myself. From my youth until now I have not eaten anything found dead or mauled by wild beasts. No unclean meat has ever entered my mouth.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Do not you yet understand, that whatever enters in at the mouth goes into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?that.<a href="/matthew/7-19.htm">Matthew 7:19,20</a> Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire… <a href="/luke/6-45.htm">Luke 6:45</a> A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.<a href="/1_corinthians/6-13.htm">1 Corinthians 6:13</a> Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.and is.<a href="/2_kings/10-27.htm">2 Kings 10:27</a> And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/14-22.htm">Afterwards</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-3.htm">Apprehend</a> <a href="/matthew/12-40.htm">Belly</a> <a href="/matthew/14-12.htm">Body</a> <a href="/matthew/13-50.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-34.htm">Drain</a> <a href="/psalms/75-8.htm">Draught</a> <a href="/acts/18-16.htm">Ejected</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/2-15.htm">Eliminated</a> <a href="/matthew/15-11.htm">Entereth</a> <a href="/matthew/15-11.htm">Enters</a> <a href="/matthew/13-46.htm">Finds</a> <a href="/matthew/15-11.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/matthew/15-11.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/matthew/12-43.htm">Passes</a> <a href="/matthew/12-43.htm">Passeth</a> <a href="/matthew/13-15.htm">Perceive</a> <a href="/matthew/12-40.htm">Stomach</a> <a href="/matthew/15-16.htm">Understand</a> <a href="/matthew/15-5.htm">Whatever</a> <a href="/matthew/15-5.htm">Whatsoever</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/21-29.htm">Afterwards</a> <a href="/matthew/26-55.htm">Apprehend</a> <a href="/mark/7-19.htm">Belly</a> <a href="/matthew/21-14.htm">Body</a> <a href="/matthew/15-26.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/mark/7-19.htm">Drain</a> <a href="/mark/7-19.htm">Draught</a> <a href="/mark/7-19.htm">Ejected</a> <a href="/mark/7-19.htm">Eliminated</a> <a href="/mark/5-40.htm">Entereth</a> <a href="/mark/5-40.htm">Enters</a> <a href="/matthew/18-13.htm">Finds</a> <a href="/matthew/17-15.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/matthew/15-18.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/mark/7-19.htm">Passes</a> <a href="/luke/18-37.htm">Passeth</a> <a href="/matthew/16-9.htm">Perceive</a> <a href="/mark/7-19.htm">Stomach</a> <a href="/matthew/16-9.htm">Understand</a> <a href="/matthew/16-19.htm">Whatever</a> <a href="/matthew/16-19.htm">Whatsoever</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 15</div>1. <a href="/matthew/15-1.htm">Jesus reproves the Scribes and Pharisees </a> 7. <a href="/matthew/15-7.htm">for transgressing God's commandments through their own traditions;</a> 10. <a href="/matthew/15-10.htm">teaches how that which goes into the mouth does not defile a man.</a> 21. <a href="/matthew/15-21.htm">He heals the daughter of the woman of Canaan,</a> 29. <a href="/matthew/15-29.htm">and other great multitudes;</a> 32. <a href="/matthew/15-32.htm">and with seven loaves and a few small fish feeds four thousand men</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/15.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/15.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Do you not yet realize This phrase indicates a teaching moment where Jesus is addressing His disciples' lack of understanding. It reflects a common theme in the Gospels where Jesus often had to clarify spiritual truths to His followers. The use of "yet" suggests that this is part of an ongoing lesson, emphasizing patience and the gradual process of spiritual enlightenment. This moment is part of a larger discourse where Jesus challenges the Pharisees' focus on external rituals over internal purity (<a href="/matthew/15.htm">Matthew 15:1-20</a>).that whatever enters the mouth Here, Jesus refers to the act of eating, which was heavily regulated by Jewish dietary laws. These laws, found in <a href="/leviticus/11.htm">Leviticus 11</a> and <a href="/deuteronomy/14.htm">Deuteronomy 14</a>, were central to Jewish identity and religious practice. Jesus is challenging the traditional view that physical consumption can defile a person spiritually. This teaching foreshadows the New Covenant, where external rituals are less significant than internal faith and purity (<a href="/acts/10-9.htm">Acts 10:9-16</a>, where Peter receives a vision about clean and unclean animals).goes into the stomach This phrase highlights the natural, biological process of digestion, which is a neutral act in itself. Jesus uses this physiological fact to illustrate that food, as a physical substance, does not have the power to defile a person spiritually. This teaching aligns with the broader biblical theme that God is more concerned with the heart and intentions than with external observance (<a href="/1_samuel/16-7.htm">1 Samuel 16:7</a>).and then is eliminated? The process of elimination signifies the temporary nature of food's impact on the body. Jesus uses this to contrast with the enduring impact of what comes from the heart, such as thoughts and intentions, which can truly defile a person (<a href="/matthew/15-18.htm">Matthew 15:18-20</a>). This teaching underscores the importance of internal purity and aligns with the prophetic call for a new heart and spirit found in <a href="/ezekiel/36-26.htm">Ezekiel 36:26</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching His disciples about the nature of defilement and purity. 2. <a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a> Followers of Jesus who are learning from His teachings and seeking to understand His message. 3. <a href="/topical/p/pharisees_and_scribes.htm">Pharisees and Scribes</a> Religious leaders who often challenged Jesus and His teachings, particularly regarding the traditions of the elders. 4. <a href="/topical/c/crowd.htm">Crowd</a> The larger group of people who were present to hear Jesus' teachings and witness His interactions with the religious leaders. 5. <a href="/topical/g/gennesaret.htm">Gennesaret</a> The region where Jesus and His disciples were ministering at this time, located on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_true_defilement.htm">Understanding True Defilement</a> Jesus teaches that defilement is not about external actions or rituals but about the condition of the heart. Believers should focus on internal purity and righteousness. <a href="/topical/g/guarding_the_heart.htm">Guarding the Heart</a> Since defilement comes from within, Christians are called to guard their hearts diligently, ensuring that their thoughts and desires align with God's will. <a href="/topical/c/challenging_traditions.htm">Challenging Traditions</a> Jesus challenges the traditions of the Pharisees, reminding believers to evaluate traditions and practices against the truth of Scripture. <a href="/topical/f/focus_on_inner_transformation.htm">Focus on Inner Transformation</a> Spiritual growth involves inner transformation through the Holy Spirit, rather than mere adherence to external rules. <a href="/topical/l/living_out_faith.htm">Living Out Faith</a> Believers are encouraged to live out their faith authentically, allowing their actions to reflect the purity and righteousness of their hearts.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 15</a> <a href="/q/did_jesus_abolish_the_law.htm">Did Jesus come to abolish the law? (Matthew 5:17 vs. Ephesians 2:15)</a> <a href="/q/evidence_for_jesus'_coin-in-fish_claim.htm">In Matthew 17:24-27, Jesus tells Peter to find a coin in a fish's mouth to pay the temple tax. Is there any evidence or logical explanation for this unusual claim?</a> <a href="/q/why_trust_disciples'_testimony_if_they_doubted.htm">If some of Jesus' own disciples still doubted (Matthew 28:17), how can their testimony about the resurrection be considered credible?</a> <a href="/q/how_do_proverbs_6_1-5_and_matthew_5_42_align.htm">How do warnings against guaranteeing a neighbor's debt in Proverbs 6:1-5 align with Jesus's teachings on generosity (Matthew 5:42)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/15.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) Is cast out into the draught.--The word is used in its old English meaning, as equivalent to drain, sewer, cesspool (see <a href="/2_kings/10-27.htm" title="And they broke down the image of Baal, and broke down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house to this day.">2Kings 10:27</a>). St. Mark (<a href="/mark/7-19.htm" title="Because it enters not into his heart, but into the belly, and goes out into the draught, purging all meats?">Mark 7:19</a>) adds the somewhat perplexing words, "purging all meats," on which see Note on that verse. The principle implied is that a process purely physical from first to last cannot in itself bring any moral defilement. It was possible, of course, that the appetites connected with that process might bring the taint of moral evil; but then these appetites were there before the food, and they took their place among the things that came "out of the heart," and not into it.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 17. - Whatsoever entereth in at the mouth, etc. Food taken into the mouth goes into the stomach, is assimilated into the bodily system, and its refuse passes away to the draught (ἀφεδρῶνα), the necessary house. It has nothing to do with the heart or the moral being; it affects only the material organization, and has no connection with the spiritual. Christ does not concern himself with questions, which modern philosophers would attempt to solve, concerning the mutual influence of soul and body, the animal and spiritual nature; he puts forth an argument which every one could receive, plain even to those "without understanding." This is the elucidation of the first part of ver. 11. The further explanation follows in vers. 18, 19. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/15-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>“Do you not yet realize νοεῖτε (noeite) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3539.htm">Strong's 3539: </a> From nous; to exercise the mind, i.e. to comprehend, heed. that ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. whatever πᾶν (pan) Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. enters εἰσπορευόμενον (eisporeuomenon) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1531.htm">Strong's 1531: </a> To journey in(to), I go in(to), enter, intervene. From eis and poreuomai; to enter. the τὸ (to) Article - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. mouth στόμα (stoma) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4750.htm">Strong's 4750: </a> The mouth, speech, eloquence in speech, the point of a sword. goes χωρεῖ (chōrei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5562.htm">Strong's 5562: </a> From chora; to be in space, i.e. to pass, enter, or to hold, admit. into εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. stomach κοιλίαν (koilian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2836.htm">Strong's 2836: </a> From koilos; a cavity, i.e. the abdomen; by implication, the matrix; figuratively, the heart. and then καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. is eliminated? ἐκβάλλεται (ekballetai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1544.htm">Strong's 1544: </a> To throw (cast, put) out; I banish; I bring forth, produce. From ek and ballo; to eject. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/15-17.htm">Matthew 15:17 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/15-17.htm">Matthew 15:17 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/15-17.htm">Matthew 15:17 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/15-17.htm">Matthew 15:17 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/15-17.htm">Matthew 15:17 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/15-17.htm">Matthew 15:17 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/15-17.htm">Matthew 15:17 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/15-17.htm">Matthew 15:17 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/15-17.htm">Matthew 15:17 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/15-17.htm">Matthew 15:17 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/15-17.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 15:17 Don't you understand that whatever goes into (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/15-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 15:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 15:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/15-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 15:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 15:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>