Do you not yet realizeThis phrase indicates a teaching moment where Jesus is addressing His disciples' lack of understanding. It reflects a common theme in the Gospels where Jesus often had to clarify spiritual truths to His followers. The use of "yet" suggests that this is part of an ongoing lesson, emphasizing patience and the gradual process of spiritual enlightenment. This moment is part of a larger discourse where Jesus challenges the Pharisees' focus on external rituals over internal purity (
Matthew 15:1-20).
that whatever enters the mouth
Here, Jesus refers to the act of eating, which was heavily regulated by Jewish dietary laws. These laws, found inLeviticus 11 andDeuteronomy 14, were central to Jewish identity and religious practice. Jesus is challenging the traditional view that physical consumption can defile a person spiritually. This teaching foreshadows the New Covenant, where external rituals are less significant than internal faith and purity (Acts 10:9-16, where Peter receives a vision about clean and unclean animals).
goes into the stomach
This phrase highlights the natural, biological process of digestion, which is a neutral act in itself. Jesus uses this physiological fact to illustrate that food, as a physical substance, does not have the power to defile a person spiritually. This teaching aligns with the broader biblical theme that God is more concerned with the heart and intentions than with external observance (1 Samuel 16:7).
and then is eliminated?
The process of elimination signifies the temporary nature of food's impact on the body. Jesus uses this to contrast with the enduring impact of what comes from the heart, such as thoughts and intentions, which can truly defile a person (Matthew 15:18-20). This teaching underscores the importance of internal purity and aligns with the prophetic call for a new heart and spirit found inEzekiel 36:26.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus ChristThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching His disciples about the nature of defilement and purity.
2.
DisciplesFollowers of Jesus who are learning from His teachings and seeking to understand His message.
3.
Pharisees and ScribesReligious leaders who often challenged Jesus and His teachings, particularly regarding the traditions of the elders.
4.
CrowdThe larger group of people who were present to hear Jesus' teachings and witness His interactions with the religious leaders.
5.
GennesaretThe region where Jesus and His disciples were ministering at this time, located on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee.
Teaching Points
Understanding True DefilementJesus teaches that defilement is not about external actions or rituals but about the condition of the heart. Believers should focus on internal purity and righteousness.
Guarding the HeartSince defilement comes from within, Christians are called to guard their hearts diligently, ensuring that their thoughts and desires align with God's will.
Challenging TraditionsJesus challenges the traditions of the Pharisees, reminding believers to evaluate traditions and practices against the truth of Scripture.
Focus on Inner TransformationSpiritual growth involves inner transformation through the Holy Spirit, rather than mere adherence to external rules.
Living Out FaithBelievers are encouraged to live out their faith authentically, allowing their actions to reflect the purity and righteousness of their hearts.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Matthew 15:17?
2.How does Matthew 15:17 challenge our understanding of spiritual versus physical purity?
3.What does "enters the mouth" symbolize in our daily spiritual practices?
4.How can Matthew 15:17 guide us in evaluating our speech and actions?
5.Connect Matthew 15:17 with James 3:6 on the power of the tongue.
6.How can we apply Matthew 15:17 to guard our hearts from sin?
7.How does Matthew 15:17 challenge dietary laws in the Old Testament?
8.What is the historical context of Matthew 15:17?
9.How does Matthew 15:17 relate to the concept of spiritual purity?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 15?
11.Did Jesus come to abolish the law? (Matthew 5:17 vs. Ephesians 2:15)
12.In Matthew 17:24-27, Jesus tells Peter to find a coin in a fish's mouth to pay the temple tax. Is there any evidence or logical explanation for this unusual claim?
13.If some of Jesus' own disciples still doubted (Matthew 28:17), how can their testimony about the resurrection be considered credible?
14.How do warnings against guaranteeing a neighbor's debt in Proverbs 6:1-5 align with Jesus's teachings on generosity (Matthew 5:42)?What Does Matthew 15:17 Mean
Do you not yet realize?• Jesus voices gentle rebuke to the disciples (Matthew 15:16) who, after witnessing miracles and hearing clear teaching, still struggle to grasp His point.
• The question underscores that revelation has already been given; understanding is expected (compareMark 7:18,John 14:9).
• Scripture remains the sure standard for truth (2 Timothy 3:16); when we fail to “realize,” the fault lies in dull hearing, not in God’s clarity (Hebrews 5:12–14).
Whatever enters the mouth• The Lord speaks of all foods without distinction—“whatever” (Acts 10:15 affirms, “What God has made clean, you must not call impure”).
• Food itself is morally neutral; righteousness is not earned or lost by diet (Romans 14:17,1 Corinthians 8:8).
• Since God created food for our enjoyment and nourishment (Genesis 9:3,1 Timothy 4:4), external intake cannot stain the heart.
Goes into the stomach• The physical process is straightforward: food travels the natural digestive path (1 Corinthians 6:13 notes that the “stomach is for food, and food for the stomach”).
• Jesus separates the physical from the spiritual; ceremonial laws once highlighted purity, but the abiding issue is inner holiness (Titus 1:15).
• By pointing to ordinary digestion, He reminds us that outward rituals cannot cleanse the conscience (Hebrews 9:9–10).
And then is eliminated• Mark’s parallel adds, “Thus all foods are clean” (Mark 7:19), emphasizing finality: what is expelled leaves no spiritual residue.
• Defilement, therefore, originates not in the digestive tract but in the heart’s evil thoughts, which the Lord lists immediately afterward (Matthew 15:18–19).
• Believers are called to guard the wellspring of life—the heart—knowing that external matters pass away (Proverbs 4:23,Colossians 2:20–23).
summaryMatthew 15:17 teaches that food travels a purely physical route—mouth, stomach, elimination—and cannot defile a person. Jesus redirects attention from ceremonial externals to the heart, affirming that true purity is spiritual, not dietary.
(17)
Is cast out into the draught.--The word is used in its old English meaning, as equivalent to drain, sewer, cesspool (see
2Kings 10:27). St. Mark (
Mark 7:19) adds the somewhat perplexing words, "purging all meats," on which see Note on that verse. The principle implied is that a process purely physical from first to last cannot in itself bring any moral defilement. It was possible, of course, that the appetites connected with that process might bring the taint of moral evil; but then these appetites were there before the food, and they took their place among the things that came "out of the heart," and not into it.
Verse 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 body, the animal and spiritual nature; he puts forth an argument which every one could receive, plain even to those "without understanding." This is the elucidation of the first part of ver. 11. The further explanation follows in vers. 18, 19.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
“Do you not yet realizeνοεῖτε(noeite)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 3539:From nous; to exercise the mind, i.e. to comprehend, heed.thatὅτι(hoti)Conjunction
Strong's 3754:Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.whateverπᾶν(pan)Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.entersεἰσπορευόμενον(eisporeuomenon)Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1531:To journey in(to), I go in(to), enter, intervene. From eis and poreuomai; to enter.theτὸ(to)Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.mouthστόμα(stoma)Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4750:The mouth, speech, eloquence in speech, the point of a sword.goesχωρεῖ(chōrei)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5562:From chora; to be in space, i.e. to pass, enter, or to hold, admit.intoεἰς(eis)Preposition
Strong's 1519:A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.theτὴν(tēn)Article - Accusative 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.stomachκοιλίαν(koilian)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2836:From koilos; a cavity, i.e. the abdomen; by implication, the matrix; figuratively, the heart.and thenκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.is eliminated?ἐκβάλλεται(ekballetai)Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1544:To throw (cast, put) out; I banish; I bring forth, produce. From ek and ballo; to eject.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 15:17 Don't you understand that whatever goes into (Matt. Mat Mt)