Matthew 15:19
New International Version
For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

New Living Translation
For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.

English Standard Version
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.

Berean Standard Bible
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.

Berean Literal Bible
For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immorality, thefts, false testimonies, slanders.

King James Bible
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

New King James Version
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.

New American Standard Bible
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, acts of adultery, other immoral sexual acts, thefts, false testimonies, and slanderous statements.

NASB 1995
“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.

NASB 1977
“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.

Legacy Standard Bible
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false witness, slanders.

Amplified Bible
For out of the heart come evil thoughts and plans, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false testimonies, slanders (verbal abuse, irreverent speech, blaspheming).

Christian Standard Bible
For from the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false testimonies, slander.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For from the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false testimonies, blasphemies.

American Standard Version
For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, railings:

Contemporary English Version
Out of your heart come evil thoughts, murder, unfaithfulness in marriage, vulgar deeds, stealing, telling lies, and insulting others.

English Revised Version
For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, railings:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Evil thoughts, murder, adultery, [other] sexual sins, stealing, lying, and cursing come from within.

Good News Translation
For from your heart come the evil ideas which lead you to kill, commit adultery, and do other immoral things; to rob, lie, and slander others.

International Standard Version
It is out of the heart that evil thoughts come, as well as murder, adultery, sexual immorality, stealing, false testimony, and slander.

Majority Standard Bible
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.

NET Bible
For out of the heart come evil ideas, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

New Heart English Bible
For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies.

Webster's Bible Translation
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

Weymouth New Testament
For out of the heart proceed wicked thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, perjury, impiety of speech.

World English Bible
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, whoredoms, thefts, false witnessings, slanders:

Berean Literal Bible
For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immorality, thefts, false testimonies, slanders.

Young's Literal Translation
for out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, whoredoms, thefts, false witnessings, evil speakings:

Smith's Literal Translation
For from the heart come forth evil reflections, slaughters, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false testimonies, defamations:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For from the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false testimonies, blasphemies.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For from the heart go out evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false testimonies, blasphemies.

New American Bible
For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, unchastity, theft, false witness, blasphemy.

New Revised Standard Version
For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For from the heart come out evil thoughts, such as fornication, murder, adultery, theft, false witness, blasphemy.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“For from the heart proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, murders, fornications, thefts, lying testimonies, blasphemies.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For from the heart come evil reasonings, murders, adulteries, lewd actions, thefts, false testimonies, impious words.

Godbey New Testament
For out of the heart proceed evil reasonings, murders, fornications, adulteries, thefts, false testimonies, blasphemies.

Haweis New Testament
for out of the heart proceed wicked reasonings, murders, adulteries, whoredoms, thefts, false testimonies, blasphemies:

Mace New Testament
out of the heart proceed evil designs, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false testimony, slanders.

Weymouth New Testament
For out of the heart proceed wicked thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, perjury, impiety of speech.

Worrell New Testament
For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false-witnessings, blasphemies:

Worsley New Testament
For out of the heart proceed wicked disputings, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false-witnessings, slanders:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
What Defiles a Man
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.”…

Cross References
Mark 7:21-23
For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, / greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. / All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.”

James 1:14-15
But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. / Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Romans 1:28-32
Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. / They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. ...

Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 4:31
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice.

Colossians 3:5-9
Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. / Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. / When you lived among them, you also used to walk in these ways. ...

1 Timothy 1:9-10
We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers, / for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching

Revelation 21:8
But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”

Proverbs 6:16-19
There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: / haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, / a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, ...

Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Genesis 6:5
Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.

Genesis 8:21
When the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, He said in His heart, “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from his youth. And never again will I destroy all living creatures as I have done.

Psalm 14:1-3
For the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good. / The LORD looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God. / All have turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

Psalm 51:5
Surely I was brought forth in iniquity; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.


Treasury of Scripture

For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

out.

Genesis 6:5
And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Genesis 8:21
And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

Proverbs 4:23
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

evil.

Matthew 9:4
And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?

Psalm 119:113
SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Jump to Previous
Adulteries Adultery Bitter Blasphemies Broken Desires Evil Faith False. Flesh Fornication Fornications Forth Heart Impiety Life Married Murder Murders Perjury Proceed Property Railings Sexual Sins Slanders Speech Testimony Theft Thefts Thoughts Unclean Wicked Witness Words
Jump to Next
Adulteries Adultery Bitter Blasphemies Broken Desires Evil Faith False. Flesh Fornication Fornications Forth Heart Impiety Life Married Murder Murders Perjury Proceed Property Railings Sexual Sins Slanders Speech Testimony Theft Thefts Thoughts Unclean Wicked Witness Words
Matthew 15
1. Jesus reproves the Scribes and Pharisees
7. for transgressing God's commandments through their own traditions;
10. teaches how that which goes into the mouth does not defile a man.
21. He heals the daughter of the woman of Canaan,
29. and other great multitudes;
32. and with seven loaves and a few small fish feeds four thousand men














For out of the heart
The phrase "out of the heart" emphasizes the source of human behavior and morality. In the Greek, "kardia" refers not just to the physical heart but to the center of human emotion, will, and intellect. Biblically, the heart is seen as the seat of one's inner life, where decisions are made and desires are formed. This highlights the importance of inner purity and transformation, as external actions are merely reflections of the heart's condition. Proverbs 4:23 underscores this by advising, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life."

come evil thoughts
"Evil thoughts" in Greek is "dialogismoi poneroi," which refers to deliberations or considerations that are morally corrupt. This suggests that sin begins in the mind, where ideas and intentions are formed before manifesting in actions. The Bible consistently teaches that transformation begins with the renewal of the mind (Romans 12:2), indicating that believers must be vigilant about what they allow to influence their thoughts.

murder
The term "murder" translates from the Greek "phonos," which denotes the unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another. In the biblical context, murder is not only a physical act but also a reflection of hatred and anger harbored in the heart (1 John 3:15). Jesus expands on this in Matthew 5:21-22, teaching that even anger towards others can be akin to murder in God's eyes.

adultery
"Adultery" comes from the Greek "moicheia," referring to sexual relations outside the bounds of marriage. This sin is not only a betrayal of one's spouse but also a violation of the covenant relationship that marriage represents. In Matthew 5:27-28, Jesus teaches that even lustful thoughts are equivalent to adultery, emphasizing the need for purity in both thought and deed.

sexual immorality
The Greek word "porneia" is translated as "sexual immorality," encompassing a wide range of illicit sexual activities. This term is often used in Scripture to denote any sexual conduct outside the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman. The New Testament frequently warns against "porneia," urging believers to flee from it and pursue holiness (1 Corinthians 6:18).

theft
"Theft" is derived from the Greek "klopē," meaning to take what does not belong to oneself. This act violates the commandment "You shall not steal" (Exodus 20:15) and reflects a heart of greed and discontent. The Bible calls believers to be content with what they have and to trust in God's provision (Hebrews 13:5).

false testimony
"False testimony" translates from the Greek "pseudomartyria," which means bearing false witness or lying. This sin is condemned in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:16) and is seen as destructive to community and trust. Jesus, who is the Truth (John 14:6), calls His followers to be people of integrity and honesty.

slander
"Slander" comes from the Greek "blasphēmia," which can mean speaking evil or defaming others. This sin involves damaging someone's reputation through false or malicious statements. The Bible warns against slander, urging believers to speak words that build up rather than tear down (Ephesians 4:29).

(19) Evil thoughts, . . . blasphemies.--The plural form points to the manifold variety of the forms of guilt under each several head. The order is in some measure an ascending one, beginning with the "thoughts," or rather trains of thought, which are the first suggestions of evil, and ending in the "blasphemies" or revilings which, directly or indirectly, have God and not man for their object. In this beginning and end we may trace a reference to those "evil surmises" which had led the Pharisees, as in Matthew 12:24, to words which were blasphemy against the Son of Man, and came perilously near to the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

Verse 19. - Out of the heart proceed. The shameful catalogue which follows is less full than that in St. Mark, which contains thirteen items, while this consists of seven only. These are produced or created by the human will, of which the heart is the symbol. Evil thoughts (διαλογισμοὶ πονηροί). Some would translate the words, "evil machinations." But there is no need to change the usual rendering, which is very appropriate here. Evil thoughts are the preparation of all other sins, and have a pernicious influence on the character. We are very much what we think. That on which our minds are fixed, that which is the chief object presented to our inward sight, shapes our disposition and life. High and noble thoughts elevate and purify; low and mean thoughts debase and pollute. The wickedness in a man springs from within; he is guilty of it. If he admits the tempter, succumbs to his seductions, it is his own will that is in fault, encouraging the evil imagination, and not at once resisting, abhorring, and repelling it. Well may we pray, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10); and remember the wise man's injunction, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23). The enumeration follows more or less closely the second table of the Decalogue.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

out of
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

heart
καρδίας (kardias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2588: Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle.

come
ἐξέρχονται (exerchontai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1831: To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue.

evil
πονηροί (ponēroi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4190: Evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful.

thoughts,
διαλογισμοὶ (dialogismoi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1261: From dialogizomai; discussion, i.e. consideration, or debate.

murder,
φόνοι (phonoi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5408: Murder, slaughter, killing. From an obsolete primary pheno; murder.

adultery,
μοιχεῖαι (moicheiai)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3430: Adultery. From moicheuo; adultery.

sexual immorality,
πορνεῖαι (porneiai)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 4202: Fornication, whoredom; met: idolatry. From porneuo; harlotry; figuratively, idolatry.

theft,
κλοπαί (klopai)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2829: Thieving, theft. From klepto; stealing.

false testimony,
ψευδομαρτυρίαι (pseudomartyriai)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 5577: False testimony, false witness. From pseudomartur; untrue testimony.

[and] slander.
βλασφημίαι (blasphēmiai)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 988: Abusive or scurrilous language, blasphemy. From blasphemos; vilification.


Links
Matthew 15:19 NIV
Matthew 15:19 NLT
Matthew 15:19 ESV
Matthew 15:19 NASB
Matthew 15:19 KJV

Matthew 15:19 BibleApps.com
Matthew 15:19 Biblia Paralela
Matthew 15:19 Chinese Bible
Matthew 15:19 French Bible
Matthew 15:19 Catholic Bible

NT Gospels: Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart come forth (Matt. Mat Mt)
Matthew 15:18
Top of Page
Top of Page