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Explanation for:
Matthew
15
:
19
For from the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false testimonies, blasphemies.
14
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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":"Christ states that evil thoughts emerge from the heart. Therefore, the primary essence of the soul resides not in the intellect, as posited by Plato, but rather in the heart, following Christ's teaching. Consequently, those who believe that their evil thoughts are solely the result of demonic influence, rather than arising from their own volition, must be corrected. The devil only acts as a seducer and instigator of malevolent thoughts, not their originator. He skillfully takes a fleeting notion from our minds and ignites it into a blaze with his enticing nature. However, it is important to understand that he does not have access to the innermost secrets of our hearts. Instead, he deduces our inner state through our physical demeanor and actions. For instance, if he observes that we frequently glance at an attractive woman, he infers that our hearts are afflicted by the arrows of desire."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"He spoke to them firmly to eliminate their biases, and he did not stop there; he added further clarification: Whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is expelled, but what emerges from the mouth comes from the heart—this is what contaminates a person; for from the heart originate wicked thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander—this is what pollutes a person; yet eating with unwashed hands does not make one unclean (Mt. 15:17-20). Do you notice how emphatically he corrects them? He further affirms his statement through the universal law of nature, emphasizing their misunderstanding. By saying, \\"It goes into the belly and is expelled,\\" he addresses the sensitivities of the Jews. He explains that food does not stay in the stomach but is eliminated; if it did remain, it would not taint a person, but they were still struggling to grasp this. This is why the law allows food to be consumed without washing while it is still inside, but once it is expelled, the command is to cleanse oneself. The time for digestion is taken into account, but the impurity of the heart lingers inside and defiles a person, not only while it remains there but also when it emerges. He begins by listing the sinful thoughts specific to the Jews, shifting away from examples based on the nature of things to the source of these thoughts—some come from the womb, while others arise from the heart, some persist within, and others do not. What enters a person from the outside is expelled, but what comes from within taints him even after it leaves, and to an even greater extent. He presented this argument because the disciples, as I mentioned, were not yet ready to comprehend it fully."},{"author-name":"John Cassian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88e1dc7e78105e5ac80c2_John%20Cassian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"Every vice has one arena: the soul, yet only fornication presents two: both the soul and the body. Therefore, a dual effort is required in combating it. Mere physical fasting alone does not suffice to achieve true chastity and genuine purity if it is not paired with a contrite spirit, earnest prayer to God, careful study of the Holy Scriptures, and meaningful work. These practices are essential in restraining the base urges of the soul and redirecting it from sinful desires. Above all, it is humility that leads the soul to triumph; without it, no one can conquer fornication or any other passions. Hence, we must vigilantly guard our hearts against impure thoughts, for as the Lord teaches, from the heart stem evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications... (Matthew 15:19) and so forth. Consequently, fasting is not solely for the restraint of the physical body; it also serves to clarify the mind, preventing it from becoming clouded by excess consumption and maintaining its mastery over our thoughts. Therefore, we should focus not only on physical fasting but also on mindfulness regarding our thoughts and spiritual education, both of which are indispensable for attaining true purity. Let us strive initially to cleanse the inner self so that our outward actions may also reflect this purity. Similarly, our Soul's Healer has provided a remedy for the very root of sin, asserting: Anyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matthew 15:19). This statement serves not merely to correct the actions of the eyes but to safeguard the soul, which employs our God-given sight for virtuous purposes. Wisdom instructs us: keep thy eyes, and keep thy heart more than all that is kept (Proverbs 4:23). In essence, He has instilled a nurturing vigilance and strict oversight within the heart, preventing it from using the eyes according to its whims. The heart thus becomes the source of our purification. Should a memory of any woman—a mother, sister, or any pious woman—cross our minds, we must swiftly expel it from our hearts. We should not dwell on such thoughts for long, as the deceitful enemy of our souls will seize this opportunity to implant further images and shameful fantasies."},{"author-name":"Symeon the New Theologian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c897eec143c131d21207b3_Symeon%20the%20New%20Theologian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":10,"exegesis-text":"Our revered forefathers, reflecting on the words of the Lord, recognized that from the heart arise malevolent thoughts, killing, adultery, unchaste acts, false witness, slander, and that these are the elements that taint a person (Matt. 15:19, 20). They also noted in another part of the Gospel the exhortation to purify the inner self so that the outer may also be sanctified (Matt. 23:26). Consequently, they set aside all other spiritual endeavors and devoted themselves entirely to this singular pursuit of guarding the heart, trusting that through this effort, they would harmoniously cultivate every other virtue, as without it, no virtue could be firmly established. Various fathers referred to this endeavor with different terms: some called it the stillness of the heart, others referred to it as vigilance, and still others termed it sobriety and the resistance of unworthy thoughts, as well as the contemplation of one’s thoughts and the safeguarding of the mind. They all engaged in this practice intently and were able to receive divine gifts through it. The Book of Ecclesiastes also acknowledges this, saying, \\"Be joyful, young man, during your childhood... and follow the inclinations of your heart (Ecclesiastes 11:9),\\" while also advising to keep one’s heart free from evil thoughts. Similarly, it suggests in another passage that when temptation arises, one should not allow it entry into their heart (Ecclesiastes 10:4)."},{"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":"Mark provides a more detailed account in Mk. 7:22: \\"covetousness, (offenses) deceit, flattery, deceitfulness, the evil eye, blasphemy, pride, folly.\\" In essence, malevolent thoughts manifest as destructive desires: murder, theft, perjury, false testimony, immorality, flattery, and pride are acknowledged. Adultery pertains to one who is married and to one who is unmarried; blasphemy involves the defamation of God or showing ingratitude toward Him, or expressing criticism of Him. Evil signifies malice directed toward another or unwarranted assumptions about them; sexual immorality, sodomy, and all forms of lasciviousness also fall under this category. Envy is associated with the term \\"evil eye,\\" and folly primarily stems from ignorance of God: \\"The fool,\\" it is stated, \\"says in his heart, There is no God\\" (Psalm 13:1). While there are numerous other forms of evil, Christ refrains from listing them here, as the examples provided are sufficient for identification. He mentioned that these actions arise from the heart, indicating their origin. The thoughts that typically emerge from the heart serve as this initial source. If they stem from the heart, they will inevitably surface through speech, as the inner turmoil of the heart, much like a contaminated liquid, must ultimately spill over."},{"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":"Thoughts originate internally and stay there, but when they are expressed through actions, they corrupt a person. The thought of immorality, which remains inside, stirs up and, when acted upon, defiles an individual."},{"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":"Evil thoughts originate from the human heart. But what gives rise to these thoughts? They stem from the sin that resides within us, expanding and taking shape uniquely in each individual according to their own will. How should we address this? We must first eliminate all that arises from our arbitrary will. This is akin to pruning a tree, removing the leaves, branches, and trunk nearly down to the roots. Next, we must prevent new growth from emerging; in doing so, the root will begin to wither. This means we should not permit evil thoughts to arise from our hearts. We must also reflect on and dispel those thoughts that do surface, and the sin that dwells within, when not supported by our will, will diminish and eventually be eradicated. This encapsulates the commandment: “Be sober and vigilant. Pay attention to yourselves. Brace the loins of your mind.” Attention must be accompanied by discernment. While good and evil both flow from the heart, not every good inclination inspired there should be acted upon. What ought to be done will be decided through discernment. Reasoning serves as the gardener’s tool, capable of pruning some branches while nurturing others."},{"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":"What emerges from the mouth originates in the heart; these matters are what corrupt a person. For from the heart arise malicious intentions such as murder, adultery, theft, greed, deceit, slander, false testimony, blasphemy, resentment toward God, pride, madness, and an abundance of other vices. Every sin originates from sinful thoughts; these malevolent ideas stemming from the heart pollute a person’s spirit, regardless of whether one acknowledges them. Such thoughts leave an impression on the soul. Whenever the heart even slightly leans toward a sinful notion, the pollution of the soul becomes inevitable. Thus, if harmful thoughts linger within the soul, they already contaminate an individual, and once acted upon, they not only taint a person but lead them toward destruction. Evil thoughts within the heart are akin to marauders in a hideout, ever poised to erupt into wicked actions. The Savior concluded—"},{"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":"The Lord points out that certain actions originating from the heart can corrupt a person, highlighting not an exhaustive list but representative examples of more typical behaviors (cf. Mk. 7:21-22). ‘Evil thoughts’ serve as the root of all sinful actions, as intentions often precede deeds, laying the groundwork for wickedness. An evil thought that arises from the heart, rather than a mere passing notion, can taint us, leaving a lingering impact on the soul that varies in intensity. \\n\\n‘Murders’ can manifest in two forms: physical, by taking another's life from malice, or spiritual, by leaning towards grave sins (as outlined in the sixth commandment). ‘Adulteries’ relate to the perversion of marital fidelity (cf. Matt. 5:28, seventh commandment). ‘Thefts’ involve unlawfully taking someone else's property against their consent, violating the clear directive found in the tenth commandment (eighth commandment). ‘Perjury’ refers to speaking falsehoods with the intent to harm a neighbor, which is contrary to the ninth and tenth commandments. ‘Blasphemies’ pertain to offenses against God (third commandment) or a neighbor. The use of plural forms indicates the various instances and types of wrongful acts such as murder and theft."},{"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":"Do you not grasp this? asked Christ. Do you not realize that nothing that enters a person from the outside can make them unclean? (Mark 7:18). It cannot make them unclean, for it does not penetrate the heart but rather the stomach, and is expelled, thus rendering all food clean (Mk. 7:19). What defiles a person is that which proceeds from the mouth, from the heart; for from within, out of the human heart, arise evil thoughts, infidelity, immorality, murder, theft, greed, wickedness, deceit, obscenity, envy, slander, arrogance, folly – all these evils originate from within and make a person unclean (Mk. 7:21-23). Thus, consuming food with unwashed hands does not render a person unclean. There is nothing more to add to Christ's explanation: everything is straightforward. Nonetheless, many interpret these words to mean that Christ disavowed fasting, a notion with which we cannot concur. Fasting, whether through complete abstention from food or by consuming minimal sustenance, has long been viewed as a formidable tool in overcoming the desires of the flesh. Individuals striving for a life guided by reason rather than base instincts have always sought to restrain their passions and bring them under the authority of reason (spirit); understanding that excessive food intake and certain foods, like meat and wine, can ignite these passions and dull one's conscience, these individuals have turned to complete abstinence, avoided meat and wine, or adopted very modest diets. Christ Himself encouraged His followers to combat the flesh, and as an example for us, He fasted for forty days in the wilderness. Therefore, it cannot be concluded from His statement that \\"not that which enters into the mouth defiles a man\\" that He dismissed the significance and necessity of fasting. He emphasized that what truly defiles a person, rendering them unworthy of the Kingdom of Heaven, are evil thoughts and sinful actions, rather than food or its intake without adhering to the external cleanliness upheld by the Pharisees: He stated that eating with unwashed hands does not defile a person, thereby clarifying any confusion regarding the true meaning of this dialogue."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Saviour imparted to both the multitude and his followers that within the realm of heaven, the state of one’s heart holds greater significance than the cleanliness of one’s hands. ‘For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, thefts, false testimonies, blasphemies.’ Indeed, all these actions truly ‘defile a man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man,’ as this guideline stems merely from a commonplace standard of cleanliness and lacks any absolute moral weight, contrary to the interpretation of the Pharisees, those ‘blind leaders of the blind.’"},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"For instance, He highlighted prevalent sinful behaviors, such as transgressions against the Third, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Commandments: wicked thoughts arise from the human heart, along with adultery, fornication, murder, betrayal, greed, false testimony, blasphemy, deceit, flattery, idolatry, an envious gaze, pride, and foolishness. All these corrupt practices stem from within and defile an individual, but the act of eating with unwashed hands does not lead to defilement. Food, merely affecting the physical body, in itself does not contribute to internal, moral corruption, which is the true impurity. The origin of this impurity is the heart, representing the soul and its various faculties, particularly the mind and will. Here, Jesus did not address the laws governing what is permissible and impermissible to eat (Leviticus 11), which had been misapplied by the Pharisees, as those regulations were destined to be abolished along with the entirety of the Old Testament statutes. By His remarks, the Lord anticipated that beyond the Mosaic law concerning external purity and impurity—which had been distorted by the misguided interpretations of the blind legalists—there existed a superior law of internal spiritual purity and impurity that would eventually apply universally. He did not claim that all food is morally neutral, for excessive eating and indulgent choices contrary to righteous customs and guidelines are, in themselves, reflections of self-serving desires that reside in the heart and defile a person. Earlier, addressing the confusion of John’s disciples, Jesus spoke of His followers fasting when the heavenly Bridegroom would be taken from them (Matthew 9:15). He subsequently cautioned against excess in eating and drinking and being consumed by worldly concerns, indicating the root of these sinful tendencies within the heart: “take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with gluttony and drunkenness and worldly cares” (Luke 21:34). Thus, according to the Lord’s teaching, food that enters through the mouth, when combined with the sinful inclinations of the heart, is no longer morally neutral."},{"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 addressing the Pharisees’ hypocrisy, the Lord drew the crowd nearer and taught them about true defilement, which renders a person guilty before God. He communicated that nothing that enters a person's mouth can defile them, but rather, it is what comes out of the mouth that can render a person unclean. Following this explanation, the Lord entered a house where His disciples informed Him (as only Matthew recounts) that the Pharisees were offended by His teachings. The disciples seemed either troubled by the fact that Jesus' message, meant to uplift, had instead incited temptation in the Pharisees, or they found themselves perturbed by His words regarding cleanliness not being affected by what is ingested (v. 11. λόγον). The saying of v. 11 led the Pharisees astray; they were so accustomed to the requirement of washing hands for spiritual cleanliness before meals that they perceived Christ's words as undermining the law of purification. Additionally, they may have been aggrieved because, in v. 11, Christ spoke directly to the people and challenged their authority. In response to the news of the Pharisees' stumbling, Christ referred either to the human tradition that contradicted divine command and was therefore destined for eradication, or directly to the Pharisees, who, despite being leaders and teachers, were not aligned with God's will, and thus were not considered His planted ones, the caretakers infused with divine purpose who would receive His protection; rather, they were destined for destruction (έκριζόω cf. 13:29-30). Therefore, He instructed His followers to disregard them. In the first interpretation, this urged not to adhere to their teachings lest they fall into a similar fate; in the second, it advised to leave them be and not concern themselves with their matters. Following this, the apostle Peter, speaking for all the disciples, requested clarification from the Lord regarding His puzzling remarks about the defilement related to what enters and what comes out of the mouth. The Lord then explained that what enters the mouth pertains to food, while what exits from the mouth symbolizes evil thoughts, desires, and intentions, all stemming from the heart. These negative expressions reveal the impurity and turmoil of the human soul, while food simply passes through the body, leaving the spirit untainted."},{"author-name":"Alexander Gorsky","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8884037c1e1c51e1332e2_Alexander%20Gorsky.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"What then is the significance of the puzzling statement, \\"It shall not enter into the mouth\\"? Does it invalidate the Mosaic laws regarding clean and unclean foods, or does it not? If it does invalidate them, how can this be reconciled with the respect for the law that led the Lord to dismiss the tradition of the Korban? Conversely, if it does not invalidate them, how should it be understood? The disciples struggled to find clarity on this matter and turned to the Lord for guidance. Peter requested that the Lord clarify this parable for them. The Lord, surprised by their lack of comprehension, stated that food, as an external matter, does not cause internal moral defilement. However, this does not imply that all foods are neutral for humanity. As long as divine laws regarding food persist, violating these laws will indeed corrupt an individual, for it stems from a heart that disregards the law and indulges the flesh. The other aspect of the parable indicates that the root of moral impurity resides within the human heart, hence those who seek to maintain purity before God must cleanse their hearts. The Lord did not elaborate on the food laws that were to be rendered obsolete with the end of the Old Testament system when the New Covenant was established between God and humanity, along with the spiritual law engraved in the hearts of the new Israel. Nonetheless, He made it clear to His disciples that these external laws are relatively insignificant compared to the internal principles."}]}
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