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Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 15:20

These - defile a man - Our Lord's argument is very plain. What goes into the mouth descends into the stomach and other intestines; - part is retained for the nourishment of the body, and part is ejected, as being improper to afford nourishment. Nothing of this kind defiles the soul, because it does not enter into it; but the evil principles that are in it, producing evil thoughts, murders, etc., these defile the soul, because they have their seat and operation in it. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 15:19

Verse 19 19.For out of the heart proceed wicked thoughts Hence we infer that the word mouth, as I have mentioned, was used by Christ in a former verse by way of allusion to the context; for now he makes no mention of the mouth, but merely says that out of the heart of man proceeds all that is sinful and that corrupts by its pollution. Mark differs from Matthew in this respect, that he gives a larger catalogue of sins, such as lusts, or irregular desires. The Greek word ( πλεονεξίαι) is by some... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 15:20

Verse 20 And pollute the man. Instead of the verb pollute, the Greek term is κοινοῖ, make common; as Mark, a little before, ( Mark 7:2,) used the phrase, κοιναῖς χερσὶ, with common hands, for with unclean hands. (412) It is a Hebrew phrase; (413) for, since God had set apart the Jews on the condition that they should separate themselves from all the pollutions of the Gentiles, everything that was inconsistent with this holiness was called common, that is, profane. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:1-20

Discourse concerning ceremonial pollution. ( Mark 7:1-23 .) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:1-20

Unwashen hands. I. CONTROVERSY WITH SCRIBES AND PHARISEES . 1 . They were of Jerusalem. It seems that a deputation had been sent by the leading inert in Jerusalem. The great discourse related in John 6:1-71 . had probably been reported to them; they had heard that the scribes and Pharisees of Galilee were unable to cope with our Lord; and they now sent some of their own body to watch him and to find opportunity for accusing him. Mark the reception which he met with on... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:1-20

On hand washing. The omission with which the Pharisees here charge the disciples was that of a ceremonial observance on which they laid immense stress. Certain washings for purification had been commanded by the Law of Moses, but to these countless additions of a minute and vexatious kind had been added by the rabbis. Even when no defilement had been consciously contracted, the washings must be observed because, unwittingly, a man might touch what would defile him. Wherever in religion such... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:1-20

Casuistry reproved. The fame of the miracles and ministry of Jesus passed from Galilee to Jerusalem, whence came certain Pharisees and scribes, who were probably sent to watch him, and find matter of accusation against him (cf. Matthew 22:15 , Matthew 22:16 ). "Jerusalem—the high school of hypocrisy. Rabbi Nathan says, 'If the hypocrites were divided into ten parts, nine would be found in Jerusalem, and one in the world beside'" (Stier). These zealots set up the traditions of the elders... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:11-20

The secret of human defilement. It is quite possible to exaggerate in presenting the teachings of our Lord in these verses. We do so if we make too absolute the distinction between what goes into a man and what comes out of a man. Our Lord's illustration needs to be kept within its natural and proper limits. The Pharisees had objected to the disciples eating their bread with unwashen hands, their notion being that something causing ceremonial defilement might be upon their hands, and this... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:16

Are ye also yet without understanding? Even yet ; ἀκμήν : adhuc. In spite of all that has passed—my teaching, my life, my miracles—do you not understand in what real purity consists? Often had Jesus to complain of the dulness of his disciples' intelligence, the slow appreciation of his meaning, the indifference to the spiritual side of his acts and doctrine. Up to the very last they failed to apprehend his mission; nor was it till the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:17

Whatsoever entereth in at the mouth, etc. Food taken into the mouth goes into the stomach, is assimilated into the bodily system, and its refuse passes away to the draught ( ἀφεδρῶνα ), the necessary house. It has nothing to do with the heart or the moral being; it affects only the material organization, and has no connection with the spiritual. Christ does not concern himself with questions, which modern philosophers would attempt to solve, concerning the mutual influence of soul and... read more

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