Matthew 15:19
Matthew 15:19 in Multiple Translations
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, railings:
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:
For what comes from the mind are evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, and blasphemy
For out of the heart come euil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false testimonies, slaunders.
for out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, whoredoms, thefts, false witnessings, evil speakings:
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies.
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
For from the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false testimonies, blasphemies.
It is people’s innermost beings that cause them to think things that are evil, to murder people, to commit adultery, to commit other sexual sins, to steal things, to testify falsely, and to speak evil about others.
Berean Amplified Bible — Matthew 15:19
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Matthew 15:19 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — Matthew 15:19
Study Notes — Matthew 15:19
- Context
- Cross References
- Matthew 15:19 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Matthew 15:19
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 15:19
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 15:19
- Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 15:19
- Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 15:19
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 15:19
- Cambridge Bible on Matthew 15:19
- Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 15:19
- Sermons on Matthew 15:19
Context — What Defiles 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.” 21Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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.” |
| 2 | 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. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 17:9 | The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? |
| 4 | James 1:13–15 | When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. 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. |
| 5 | Titus 3:2–6 | to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone. For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This is the Spirit He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, |
| 6 | Proverbs 4:23 | Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life. |
| 7 | 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. |
| 8 | Romans 3:10–19 | As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one. There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” “Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.” “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery lie in their wake, and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. |
| 9 | Jeremiah 4:14 | Wash the evil from your heart, O Jerusalem, so that you may be saved. How long will you harbor wicked thoughts within you? |
| 10 | Psalms 119:113 | The double-minded I despise, but Your law I love. |
Matthew 15:19 Summary
This verse means that the bad things we think and do come from deep inside us, from our heart. It's like a factory inside us that produces evil thoughts, murder, adultery, and other sinful actions. According to Jesus, our heart is the source of these problems, and we need to let Him transform us from the inside out, as promised in Ezekiel 36:26-27. By surrendering our heart to God and seeking His renewal, we can begin to produce righteous thoughts and actions, as described in Galatians 5:22-23.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Jesus mean by 'the heart' in Matthew 15:19?
Jesus is referring to the innermost part of our being, our spiritual core, where our thoughts, feelings, and intentions originate, as seen in Jeremiah 17:9-10, which says our heart is deceitful above all things.
Is Jesus saying that our thoughts and actions are completely our own responsibility?
Yes, Jesus is emphasizing that our sinful actions and thoughts originate from within us, as also stated in Mark 7:21-23, highlighting our need for inner transformation and spiritual renewal.
How can we know if our heart is producing 'evil thoughts' as mentioned in Matthew 15:19?
We can recognize evil thoughts by comparing them to God's standards in Scripture, such as the commandments in Exodus 20:1-17, and by seeking the Holy Spirit's conviction and guidance, as promised in John 16:8-11.
What is the relationship between the heart and our outward actions, according to Matthew 15:19?
According to Jesus, our outward actions, such as murder, adultery, and slander, are the result of the evil thoughts and intentions that come from our heart, as also taught in Proverbs 4:23, which says to guard our heart because it determines the course of our life.
Reflection Questions
- What are some 'evil thoughts' that I have entertained in my heart recently, and how can I surrender them to God's transforming power?
- In what ways have I allowed my heart to become a source of defilement, and how can I seek God's cleansing and renewal?
- How can I cultivate a heart that produces righteous thoughts and actions, as described in Philippians 4:8-9?
- What are some practical steps I can take to 'guard my heart' and keep it pure, as instructed in Proverbs 4:23?
Gill's Exposition on Matthew 15:19
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 15:19
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 15:19
Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 15:19
Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 15:19
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 15:19
Cambridge Bible on Matthew 15:19
Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 15:19
Sermons on Matthew 15:19
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
A Clean Heart by Ernest O'Neill | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of swearing and its implications. He acknowledges that even though using mild swear words may not seem too evil, it is still wrong |
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The Citadel of the Soul by Russell DeLong | Russell DeLong emphasizes the concept of the human soul as a citadel, a place of security and autonomy where individuals have the power to choose what enters and exits. He highligh |
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Sinners Bound to Change Their Own Hearts by Charles Finney | Charles Finney emphasizes the necessity for sinners to actively seek a new heart and spirit, as commanded in Ezekiel 18:31. He argues that this requirement is not unreasonable, as |
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The Evil Tongue by Thomas Watson | Thomas Watson preaches about the destructive power of the evil tongue, describing it as a fire fueled by hell that corrupts the whole person. He delves into various aspects of the |
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The Taming of Anger by A.W. Tozer | A.W. Tozer emphasizes the significance of thoughts in the manifestation of anger, asserting that all sins, including anger, begin in the heart and mind. He explains that quick-temp |
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Its Mock Salvation vs. a Real Deliverance From Sin by Catherine Booth | Catherine Booth preaches about the contrast between mock salvation and true salvation from sin, emphasizing the universal need for a regenerating process to address the moral disea |
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Pastor Offers 5 Biblical Reasons Why Gay Marriage Is Wrong by Shane Idleman | Shane Idleman addresses the controversy surrounding homosexuality and gay marriage, emphasizing the importance of speaking the truth in love even if it means risking reputation and |







