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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 15:20 These are what defile a man, but eating with unwashed hands does not defile him."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/15-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/40_Mat_15_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 15:20 - What Defiles a Man" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="These are what defile a man, but eating with unwashed hands does not defile him." /><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/15-20.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/15-20.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 20</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="/ad20.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/15-19.htm" title="Matthew 15:19">◄</a> Matthew 15:20 <a href="/matthew/15-21.htm" title="Matthew 15:21">►</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> These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/matthew/15.htm">New Living Translation</a> These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you.” <a href="/esv/matthew/15.htm">English Standard Version</a> These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.” <a href="/bsb/matthew/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> These are what defile a man, but eating with unwashed hands does not defile him.” <a href="/blb/matthew/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> These are the things defiling the man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man." <a href="/kjv/matthew/15.htm">King James Bible</a> These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/15.htm">New King James Version</a> These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.” <a href="/nasb_/matthew/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> These are the things that defile the person; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the person.” <a href="/nasb/matthew/15.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/matthew/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.” <a href="/lsb/matthew/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.” <a href="/amp/matthew/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a> These are the things which defile and dishonor the man; but eating with [ceremonially] unwashed hands does not defile the man.” <a href="/csb/matthew/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> These are the things that defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile a person.” <a href="/hcsb/matthew/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> These are the things that defile a man, but eating with unwashed hands does not defile a man.&#8221 <a href="/asv/matthew/15.htm">American Standard Version</a> these are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not the man. <a href="/cev/matthew/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> These are what make you unclean. Eating without washing your hands will not make you unfit to worship God. <a href="/erv/matthew/15.htm">English Revised Version</a> these are the things which defile the man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not the man. <a href="/gwt/matthew/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> These are the things that make a person unclean. But eating without washing one's hands doesn't make a person unclean." <a href="/gnt/matthew/15.htm">Good News Translation</a> These are the things that make you unclean. But to eat without washing your hands as they say you should--this doesn't make you unclean." <a href="/isv/matthew/15.htm">International Standard Version</a> These are the things that make a person unclean. But eating with unwashed hands doesn't make a person unclean." <a href="/msb/matthew/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> These are what defile a man, but eating with unwashed hands does not defile him.? <a href="/net/matthew/15.htm">NET Bible</a> These are the things that defile a person; it is not eating with unwashed hands that defiles a person." <a href="/nheb/matthew/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> These are the things which defile the person; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the person." <a href="/wbt/matthew/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. <a href="/wey/matthew/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> These are the things which defile the man; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile." <a href="/web/matthew/15.htm">World English Bible</a> These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands doesn’t defile the man.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> these are the things defiling the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.” <a href="/blb/matthew/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> These are the things defiling the man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man." <a href="/ylt/matthew/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> these are the things defiling the man; but to eat with unwashen hands doth not defile the man.' <a href="/slt/matthew/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> These are the things polluting a man: but to eat with unwashed hands pollutes not a man.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> These are the things that defile a man. But to eat with unwashed hands doth not defile a man. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> These are the things that defile a man. But to eat without washing hands does not defile a man.” <a href="/nabre/matthew/15.htm">New American Bible</a> These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.” <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> It is these that defile man; but if a man should eat when his hands are unwashed, he will not be defiled. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/15.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “These things are those that defile a man, but if a man will eat after not washing his hands, he is not defiled.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/15.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> These are the things that defile the man. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man. <a href="/godbey/matthew/15.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>These are the things which defile the man: but to eat bread with unwashed hands does not defile the man.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/15.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> these are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashed hands doth not defile a man.<CM> <a href="/mace/matthew/15.htm">Mace New Testament</a> these are the things which defile a man: but to eat without washing one's hands, that does not defile a man. <a href="/wey/matthew/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> These are the things which defile the man; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile." <a href="/worrell/matthew/15.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>these are the things which defile the man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man."<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/15.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>these defile a man, but to eat without washing the hands doth not defile him.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/15-20.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=4366" 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> …19For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander. 20<a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: tauta (DPro-NNP) -- This; he, she, it. ">These</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">are</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-NNP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">what</a> <a href="/greek/2840.htm" title="2840: koinounta (V-PPA-NNP) -- To make unclean, pollute, desecrate, mid: I regard (treat) as unclean. From koinos; to make profane.">defile</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">a</a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpon (N-AMS) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">man,</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">but</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/5315.htm" title="5315: phagein (V-ANA) -- A primary verb; to eat.">eating</a> <a href="/greek/449.htm" title="449: aniptois (Adj-DFP) -- Unwashed, ceremonially unclean. Without ablution.">with unwashed</a> <a href="/greek/5495.htm" title="5495: chersin (N-DFP) -- A hand. ">hands</a> <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/2840.htm" title="2840: koinoi (V-PIA-3S) -- To make unclean, pollute, desecrate, mid: I regard (treat) as unclean. From koinos; to make profane.">does not defile</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpon (N-AMS) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">him.” </a> 21Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.…<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/7-20.htm">Mark 7:20-23</a> He continued: “What comes out of a man, that is what defiles him. / For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, / greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. ... <a href="/james/3-6.htm">James 3:6-10</a> The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. / All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, / but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ... <a href="/romans/14-14.htm">Romans 14:14</a> I am convinced and fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. <a href="/1_corinthians/6-9.htm">1 Corinthians 6:9-10</a> Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. <a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Galatians 5:19-21</a> The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. <a href="/ephesians/5-3.htm">Ephesians 5:3-5</a> But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed. / Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving. / For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. <a href="/colossians/3-5.htm">Colossians 3:5-8</a> Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. / Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. / When you lived among them, you also used to walk in these ways. ... <a href="/1_peter/2-1.htm">1 Peter 2:1</a> Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. <a href="/revelation/21-8.htm">Revelation 21:8</a> But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.” <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="/proverbs/6-16.htm">Proverbs 6:16-19</a> There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: / haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, / a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, ... <a href="/jeremiah/17-9.htm">Jeremiah 17:9</a> The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? <a href="/ezekiel/36-25.htm">Ezekiel 36:25-27</a> I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. / I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances. <a href="/psalms/51-10.htm">Psalm 51:10</a> Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. <a href="/isaiah/1-16.htm">Isaiah 1:16-17</a> Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil! / Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashed hands defiles not a man.which.<a href="/1_corinthians/3-16.htm">1 Corinthians 3:16,17</a> Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? … <a href="/1_corinthians/6-9.htm">1 Corinthians 6:9-11,18-20</a> 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, … <a href="/ephesians/5-3.htm">Ephesians 5:3-6</a> But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; … but.<a href="/matthew/15-2.htm">Matthew 15:2</a> Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.<a href="/matthew/23-25.htm">Matthew 23:25,26</a> 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… <a href="/mark/7-3.htm">Mark 7:3,4</a> For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/15-18.htm">Defile</a> <a href="/matthew/15-11.htm">Defileth</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-14.htm">Defiling</a> <a href="/matthew/15-2.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/matthew/14-21.htm">Eating</a> <a href="/matthew/15-2.htm">Food</a> <a href="/matthew/15-2.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/matthew/15-19.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/matthew/15-2.htm">Unwashed</a> <a href="/mark/7-5.htm">Unwashen</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/7-15.htm">Defile</a> <a href="/mark/7-20.htm">Defileth</a> <a href="/mark/7-15.htm">Defiling</a> <a href="/matthew/15-27.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/matthew/15-38.htm">Eating</a> <a href="/matthew/15-33.htm">Food</a> <a href="/matthew/15-30.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/matthew/15-22.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/mark/7-2.htm">Unwashed</a> <a href="/mark/7-2.htm">Unwashen</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>These are what defile a man This phrase refers to the preceding verses where Jesus lists the things that truly defile a person, such as evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander. These sins originate from the heart, emphasizing the internal nature of defilement rather than external rituals. This teaching aligns with the Old Testament understanding that God looks at the heart (<a href="/1_samuel/16-7.htm">1 Samuel 16:7</a>) and echoes the prophetic call for inner purity (<a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">Isaiah 29:13</a>). The focus is on moral and spiritual purity rather than ceremonial cleanliness, challenging the Pharisaic emphasis on external observance.but eating with unwashed hands does not defile him. In the cultural and historical context of first-century Judaism, ritual handwashing was a tradition upheld by the Pharisees and scribes as a means of maintaining ceremonial purity. This practice was not explicitly commanded in the Mosaic Law but was part of the oral traditions that had developed over time. Jesus' statement here challenges the authority of these traditions, emphasizing that they are human constructs rather than divine mandates. This teaching is consistent with Jesus' broader ministry, which often confronted the legalism of the religious leaders and pointed to the deeper spiritual truths of the Law. The emphasis on internal purity over external rituals is a recurring theme in Jesus' teachings, as seen in passages like <a href="/matthew/23-25.htm">Matthew 23:25-28</a>, where He criticizes the Pharisees for their hypocrisy.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The central figure in this passage, teaching about true defilement. 2. <a href="/topical/p/pharisees_and_scribes.htm">Pharisees and Scribes</a> Religious leaders who questioned Jesus about His disciples not following traditional handwashing rituals. 3. <a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a> Followers of Jesus who were criticized for not adhering to the ritual of washing hands before eating. 4. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The place from which the Pharisees and scribes came to question Jesus. 5. <a href="/topical/t/tradition_of_the_elders.htm">Tradition of the Elders</a> The oral traditions and rituals that the Pharisees and scribes held in high regard, which Jesus challenges in this passage.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/true_defilement_comes_from_within.htm">True Defilement Comes from Within</a> Jesus teaches that what defiles a person is not external actions like eating with unwashed hands, but the evil thoughts and intentions that come from the heart. <a href="/topical/c/challenge_of_traditions.htm">Challenge of Traditions</a> Believers are encouraged to evaluate traditions and rituals in light of Scripture, ensuring they do not overshadow the core teachings of faith and relationship with God. <a href="/topical/f/focus_on_heart_transformation.htm">Focus on Heart Transformation</a> The emphasis should be on inner transformation and purity of heart, rather than merely adhering to external religious practices. <a href="/topical/g/guarding_the_heart.htm">Guarding the Heart</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-23.htm">Proverbs 4:23</a> advises believers to guard their hearts, as it is the wellspring of life. This aligns with Jesus' teaching that the heart's condition is crucial. <a href="/topical/l/living_out_faith_authentically.htm">Living Out Faith Authentically</a> Christians are called to live out their faith authentically, ensuring that their actions reflect a heart aligned with God's will and purposes.<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/what_does_the_bible_say_on_idol_food.htm">What does the Bible say about food offered to idols?</a> <a href="/q/how_to_find_clarity_in_confusion.htm">Who will betray me as foretold in scripture?</a> <a href="/q/does_jesus_contradict_jewish_laws_in_matt._15.htm">Is Jesus contradicting established Jewish laws by declaring that eating with unwashed hands does not defile a person (Matthew 15:1-11)?</a> <a href="/q/what's_holy_monday's_significance.htm">What is the significance of Holy Monday?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 20. - Thus Jesus sums up what has been said, and recalls the circumstance which led to the discourse, emphatically repeating his judgment on the Pharisaical gloss. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/15-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>These ταῦτά (tauta) Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. are ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. what τὰ (ta) Article - Nominative Neuter Plural <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. defile κοινοῦντα (koinounta) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2840.htm">Strong's 2840: </a> To make unclean, pollute, desecrate, mid: I regard (treat) as unclean. From koinos; to make profane. a τὸν (ton) Article - Accusative Masculine 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. man, ἄνθρωπον (anthrōpon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. but δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. eating φαγεῖν (phagein) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> A primary verb; to eat. with unwashed ἀνίπτοις (aniptois) Adjective - Dative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_449.htm">Strong's 449: </a> Unwashed, ceremonially unclean. Without ablution. hands χερσὶν (chersin) Noun - Dative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5495.htm">Strong's 5495: </a> A hand. does not defile κοινοῖ (koinoi) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2840.htm">Strong's 2840: </a> To make unclean, pollute, desecrate, mid: I regard (treat) as unclean. From koinos; to make profane. [him].” ἄνθρωπον (anthrōpon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/15-20.htm">Matthew 15:20 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/15-20.htm">Matthew 15:20 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/15-20.htm">Matthew 15:20 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/15-20.htm">Matthew 15:20 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/15-20.htm">Matthew 15:20 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/15-20.htm">Matthew 15:20 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/15-20.htm">Matthew 15:20 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/15-20.htm">Matthew 15:20 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/15-20.htm">Matthew 15:20 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/15-20.htm">Matthew 15:20 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/15-20.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 15:20 These are the things which defile (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/15-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 15:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 15:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/15-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 15:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 15:21" /></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>