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Explanation for:
Matthew
15
:
11
Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man: but what cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
9
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The term communicat in this context is unique to the Holy Scriptures and does not appear in everyday language. The Jewish people, who prided themselves on being God's chosen inheritance, labeled as unclean (communes - common) those items that are accessible to everyone. This includes things like pork, animals without divided hooves, hares that don’t chew the cud, and fish lacking scales. Consequently, it is stated in the Acts of the Apostles: What God has cleansed, do not regard as unclean (commune) Acts 10:15. Thus, what is termed common (commune) refers to what is available to all, and is deemed unclean as if it were not part of God's inheritance. It is not what enters the mouth that defiles a person, but rather what comes out of the mouth that defiles a person. A discerning reader might inquire, ‘If what enters the mouth does not defile a person, why shouldn't we consume offerings made to idols?’ The apostle clarifies, You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons 1 Cor. 10:21. This teaching reveals to us that although all food and every creature of God is inherently pure, the invocation of idols and demons renders them unclean."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"When the Pharisees criticized the disciples for consuming food without first washing their hands, the Lord clarified that no food can render a person impure or defile him. If food itself does not contaminate, then neither does eating it without washed hands. True defilement of the inner self occurs only when one utters words that should remain unspoken. This serves as a reflection on the Pharisees, who tainted themselves by speaking from a place of jealousy. Observe the Lord’s wisdom: He neither outright prohibits eating with unwashed hands nor advocates for it as a necessity; instead, He instructs on a different path—guarding against evil speech that arises from within the heart."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"What does not enter the mouth renders a person unclean; unclean here refers to a state of impurity. Thus, He asserts that it is not the impurity of unwashed hands, which mixes with food and is consumed, that makes an individual impure, as this does not affect the spirit, but rather it is sin that renders one unclean, harming the soul. This serves as the most straightforward interpretation of His statement. However, there is a deeper truth concealed within this teaching, that nothing originating from God can inherently be deemed unclean. As Moses states, \\"And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good\\" (Genesis 1:31). This profound understanding dismisses the meticulous dietary laws followed by the Jews. While the regulations concerning food hold a symbolic significance, the Jews, failing to grasp deeper meanings, interpreted these laws literally and focused solely on the external aspects. Nevertheless, it is the words that emerge from the mouth that make a person unclean. While many words flow from the mouth, He specifically refers to the evil that originates in the heart. He then provides clarification on what may not be explicitly mentioned here."},{"author-name":"Theophan the Recluse","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8983a6e0f4c3aecaae3fc_Theophan%20the%20Recluse.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Lord spoke not out of disfavor toward fasting or because He deemed it unnecessary for us. Indeed, He Himself engaged in fasting, instructed His apostles on the practice, and instituted fasts within His holy Church. His intention was to emphasize that when we engage in fasting, it should not be limited to merely consuming less food or engaging in meager meals. Rather, we ought to focus on nourishing our souls through fasting, resisting our cravings and sinful inclinations. This is of utmost importance. Fasting provides a potent means to achieve this goal. When the flesh is weakened, the foundation of bodily passions is disturbed, causing their influence to diminish. To conquer these passions without fasting is akin to a miracle, much like remaining unscathed in a fire. For one who finds satisfaction solely in physical comforts—food, rest, and slumber—how can they maintain any spiritual focus or intention? Detaching oneself from earthly matters to engage in contemplation of the divine is as daunting for them as it would be for a frail bird to take flight from the ground."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"It is not the food or drink that enters the mouth that causes an individual to be unclean or guilty before God; rather, it is what exits the mouth—sinful thoughts, words, and the ensuing actions—that reveal the impurity of the heart. Those who are willing to listen should understand this (Mark 7:16). In the Kingdom of Heaven, having a pure heart is far more significant than having clean hands. The Savior teaches that if unclean hands touch food, it does not adversely affect the soul; eating with unwashed hands does not defile a person (Mt. 15:20). Thus, it is not the physical food that corrupts the one who breaks their fast, but the longing to satisfy the flesh and disregard the commandments of God, which instruct us to remain steadfastly obedient to the teachings of the Church—this is what truly renders a person impure!"},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Not what is consumed through the mouth, whether food or drink, renders one unclean before God. Rather, it is the speech that emanates from the mouth that defiles a person because it is from the heart that evil actions arise (Matt. 15:18), revealing immoral character. Is the meticulous observance of dietary laws condemned in this context? Clearly not. The primary teaching here emphasizes that it is not what one eats that makes a person impure, but rather one’s moral conduct; specifics about types of food are not addressed. The crux of this message does not revolve around food itself, but rather the significance of handwashing (cf. Matt. 15:20). The Lord did not imply that discerning dietary choices are trivial or that Moses’ commandments were pointless; instead, He indicated that it is not what enters a person’s mouth that defiles them, but rather what comes out of it. Notice how the Lord does not overtly challenge the law. He does not mention food explicitly but refers to what enters through the mouth—a statement that could also relate to the washing of hands. Though He spoke regarding food, it could also be interpreted as a commentary on hand hygiene. The observance of dietary laws was taken so seriously that even after the resurrection, Peter asserted, “No, Lord, I have never eaten anything unclean or impure” (Acts 10:14). Thus, Christ initially did not speak exclusively about food but remarked, “What enters through the mouth” and later appeared to clarify, concluding His discussion with the assertion: “And eating with unwashed hands does not defile a man” (Matt. 15:20). This led His listeners to believe He had begun with this topic and continued reasoning from it. The careful observance of what one eats ought to reflect one’s moral condition and, in this scenario, is commendable (1 Cor. 10:25-33)."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Pharisees, revealed in their deceit and rejection of the Law, choose to remain silent and do not respond to Jesus' inquiry. Not wishing to waste valuable insights on those unworthy, Jesus leaves them to their concealed resentment and refrains from further discussion. However, to avoid leaving the crowd, who stands behind the Pharisees in confusion, in a state of uncertainty, He offers clarification not aimed at the Pharisees but directed to the multitude. He explains that it is not what enters into a man’s mouth that renders him impure, but rather what emerges from his mouth that truly defiles him."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Following this, the Lord chose to disengage from those who questioned Him, seeing them as ‘beyond healing,’ and turned His attention to the crowd to impart profound wisdom. Hear me all of you and comprehend! He commenced His address by revealing the essence of true defilement: ‘It is not what enters the mouth that makes a person unclean, but what proceeds from the mouth that defiles him. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!"},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"After condemning the insincerity of the Pharisees, the Lord drew the crowd closer and taught them about what should truly be deemed impure, that which defiles a person and renders him culpable before God. In this context, He instructed that the guiding principle is that anything consumed does not make a person unclean, but rather the words that emerge from his mouth can lead to defilement. Following this teaching, the Lord (as recorded by Mark) entered a house, where His disciples approached Him with the report (only mentioned by Matthew) that the Pharisees were being led astray by His message. It is possible that the Apostles felt troubled by the fact that Jesus' words inadvertently ensnared those He aimed to enlighten, or they themselves may have been challenged by His assertion that nothing entering the mouth of a man causes defilement (v. 11. λόγον). The implications of verse 11 had, in a way, misled the Pharisees; they had become so accustomed to the requirement of washing hands for spiritual cleanliness that they perceived Christ’s words as undermining the law surrounding purification. The Pharisees may also have been offended due to the fact that 1. in v. 11, Jesus addressed the crowd directly, diminishing their authority through His teaching. In response to the news about the Pharisees’ misleading, Christ referred either to their doctrine, which originated from human invention rather than divine instruction and therefore needed to be rejected, or to the Pharisees themselves: they should indeed be led astray, for though they held the position of spiritual leaders, they were not the true plantings of God, failing to act in accordance with His will and thus lacking His special care; they are destined to be uprooted (έκριζόω cf. 13:29-30). Consequently, He advised to leave them. This could mean: do not adhere to their teachings, lest you fall into the same pit; additionally, it suggests to disengage from their preoccupations and let them be. Subsequently, Peter, representing all the disciples, sought clarification from the Lord regarding His enigmatic statement about the defilement that enters the mouth and that which does not exit from it. The Lord made it clear that by what enters the mouth, He referred to food, while what exits the mouth symbolizes the evil thoughts, desires, and intentions that arise from the heart. These expressions reveal the moral impurity of the human spirit, though food merely passes through the body and does not affect the soul."}]}
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