Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
Don't you get it yet? Whatever goes in your mouth just ends up in your stomach and then gets flushed away.
It's not what you eat that matters to your soul, it's what comes out of your heart.
📚 Historical Context
In the historical context of Matthew 15, Jesus was addressing the Pharisees and scribes who criticized His disciples for not following traditional hand-washing rituals before eating, which were part of Jewish customs emphasizing external purity. Jesus used this moment to teach that physical food entering the body does not defile a person spiritually, as it is merely processed and expelled, highlighting a deeper truth about internal holiness over man-made traditions. This exchange occurred during Jesus' ministry in Galilee, where He often challenged religious leaders to prioritize God's law over human rules.
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