Matthew 15:18-19
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Jesus isn't just saying that bad words come from a bad heart; he's highlighting that the source of defilement is internal, not external. This means that even unspoken thoughts and desires, originating in the heart, are what truly pollute us, regardless of what we eat or how we wash our hands.
But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just finished a challenging exchange with the Pharisees about ritual washing, exposing their hypocrisy and their disregard for God's true commands. He then turns to the crowds and his disciples, explaining that true defilement doesn't come from external things like unclean food or unwashed hands, but from the impurity that originates within a person. This verse is Jesus' direct explanation of where that inner impurity stems from and its polluting effect.
Ever said something you instantly regretted? Jesus tells us why our words have such power – and where they truly come from.
Jesus is making a powerful connection between what we say and what's going on inside us. The external act of speaking isn't the root problem; it's a symptom of something deeper.
We often think of 'defilement' as something external – touching something dirty. But Jesus points to a much more serious kind of pollution.
Jesus isn't talking about ceremonial uncleanness, but a deep, moral pollution that affects our relationship with God and others. This pollution originates within.
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Understand the original words
kardia · Greek Noun
The center of a person's being, encompassing the mind, will, emotions, and moral character. In biblical theology, it is the source of all intentions and the seat of man's moral activity.
koinoō · Greek Verb
To make ceremonially or morally impure; to render someone unfit for holy presence or fellowship with God. It signifies corruption that separates one from God’s holiness.
dialogismoi ponēroi · Greek Noun phrase
Thoughts, intentions, or deeds that are morally wicked, malicious, or opposed to God’s nature and commands. It represents the fallen state of humanity's internal motivations.
phonoi · Greek Noun
The intentional killing of a human being. Biblically, it is viewed as a violation of God’s image in man and a supreme act of disobedience against the sanctity of life.
moicheiai · Greek Noun
Voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than their spouse. It represents a breach of the marriage covenant and a violation of God's design for human intimacy.
porneiai · Greek Noun
A broad category covering all forms of sexual activity outside of the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, viewed as a corruption of God's moral order.
klopai · Greek Noun
The act of taking someone else's property without consent. It is fundamentally a violation of the neighbor’s rights and an expression of covetousness.
pseudomartyriai · Greek Noun
Giving untruthful or misleading testimony against another person. It is a direct violation of God’s command to love one's neighbor and maintain justice.
blasphēmai · Greek Noun
Injurious or defamatory speech against others. It is the verbal expression of malice and a failure to use the tongue in a way that honors God and neighbor.
This passage directly parallels Jesus' teaching here, stating that 'the good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.'
Jeremiah 17:9This Old Testament verse highlights the same internal source of corruption that Jesus points to, describing the human heart as 'crooked above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?'
Romans 3:14-18Paul quotes from the Old Testament to describe the universal sinfulness that stems from the heart, detailing how 'their throats are open graves, with their tongues they do deceit. The venom of asps is under their lips. Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.'
Proverbs 4:23This proverb emphasizes the critical importance of guarding one's inner self, as 'above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.'
barnesMatthew 15:18: "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man."
Christ proceeds to state what does defile the man, or render him a sinner: 1. "Evil thoughts" These are the first things - these are the fountains of all others. Thought precedes action. Thought, or purpose, or motive, gives its character to conduct. All evil thoughts are here intended. Though we labor to suppress them, yet they defile us. They leave pollution behind them. 2. "Mu…
calvinMatthew 15:10-20: "And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:"
- And having called the multitudes to him, he said to them, Hear and understand. 11. What entereth into the mouth polluteth not the man, but what goes out of the mouth polluteth the man. 12. Then his disciples approaching said to him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended when they heard that saying? 13. But he answering, said, Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be roote…
Jesus isn't just saying that bad words come from a bad heart; he's highlighting that the source of defilement is internal, not external. This means that even unspoken thoughts and desires, originating in the heart, are what truly pollute us, regardless of what we eat or how we wash our hands.
Jesus has just finished a challenging exchange with the Pharisees about ritual washing, exposing their hypocrisy and their disregard for God's true commands. He then turns to the crowds and his disciples, explaining that true defilement doesn't come from external things like unclean food or unwashed hands, but from the impurity that originates within a person. This verse is Jesus' direct explanation of where that inner impurity stems from and its polluting effect.
Jesus has just finished a challenging exchange with the Pharisees about ritual washing, exposing their hypocrisy and their disregard for God's true commands. He then turns to the crowds and his disciples, explaining that true defilement doesn't come from external things like unclean food or unwashed hands, but from the impurity that originates within a person. This verse is Jesus' direct explanation of where that inner impurity stems from and its polluting effect.
"But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander." — Jesus isn't just saying that bad words come from a bad heart; he's highlighting that the source of defilement is internal, not external. This means that even unspoken thoughts and desires, originat…
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Last reviewed October 2026
