What Defiles a Man

Jesus calls the crowd to listen and understand, then explains that defilement does not come from what enters the mouth but from what comes out. He warns about blind guides, answers Peter’s request for explanation, and names the heart as the source of evil speech and action.

J¹⁰esus called the crowd to Him and said, “Listen and understand. ¹¹A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.” ¹²Then the disciples came to Him and said, “Are You aware that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?” ¹³But Jesus replied, “Every plant that My heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by its roots. ¹⁴Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” ¹⁵Peter said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.” ¹⁶“Do you still not understand?” Jesus asked. ¹⁷“Do you not yet realize that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then is eliminated? ¹⁸But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man. ¹⁹For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander. ²⁰These are what defile a man, but eating with unwashed hands does not defile him.”