Devine Scripture

Matthew 15:19

What does Matthew 15:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 15:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 15:19 means

Jesus provides a comprehensive list of specific evils that originate from the human heart. These include "evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, railings." This detailed enumeration demonstrates that true defilement stems from corrupt desires, intentions, and moral failures within a person's inner being. This list is not exhaustive but represents the spectrum of sin that truly separates a person from God, all originating from an unregenerate heart.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, the taking of life, broken faith between the married, unclean desires of the flesh, taking of property, false witness, bitter words:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, whoredoms, thefts, false witnessings, evil speakings:

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For from the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false testimonies, blasphemies.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witnessings, blasphemies;

Context

This verse serves as a crucial elaboration, providing concrete examples of the "things which proceed out of the mouth and defile the man" introduced in verse 18. By listing specific sins that originate from the heart, Jesus reinforces His teaching about the internal source of defilement, contrasting it dramatically with the Pharisees' external focus and preparing for a summary statement.

v.18But the things which proceed out of the mouth come forth out of the heart; and they defile the man.

v.19This passage

v.20these are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not the man.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ephesians 2:1

    And youdid he make alive, when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins,

  • Genesis 8:21

    And Jehovah smelled the sweet savor; and Jehovah said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake, for that the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more everything living, as I have done.

  • Proverbs 22:15

    Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; Butthe rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

  • Romans 3:10

    as it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one;

  • Proverbs 24:9

    The thought of foolishness is sin; And the scoffer is an abomination to men.

  • James 1:13

    Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man:

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