Defilement Comes from Within

1Then came together to Him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

2And when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashed, hands, they found fault.

3For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands often, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

4And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brazen vessels, and of tables.   brass

5Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, Why walk not Your disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?   impure, according to the Pharisees

6He answered and said to them, Well has Isaiah prophesied of you^p hypocrites, as it is written, This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.

7However in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.   divine precepts

8For laying aside the commandment of God, you^p hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things you^p do.

9And He said to them, Full well you^p reject the commandment of God, that you^p may keep your^p own tradition.   set aside

10For Moses said, Honor your father and your mother; and, Whoso curses father or mother, let him die the death:   EX 20:12; EX 21:17

11But you^p say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever you might be profited by me; he shall be free.

12And you^p permit him no more to do anything for his father or his mother;

13Making the word of God of none effect through your^p tradition, which you^p have delivered: and many such like things do you^p.   no use; handed down

14And when He had called all the people to Him, He said to them, Hearken to Me every one of you^p, and understand:   listen

15There is nothing from outside a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.   make unclean

16If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

17And when He was entered into the house from the people, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable.

18And He said to them, Are you^p so without understanding also? Do you^p not perceive, that whatsoever thing from outside enters into the man, it cannot defile him;   understand

19Because it enters not into his heart, but into the belly, and goes out into the draught, purging all meats?   privy, toilet; eliminating; foods

20And He said, That which comes out of the man, that defiles the man.   makes unclean

21For from inside, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

22Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:   sensuality; slander

23All these evil things come from inside, and defile the man.   make unclean