Matthew 15:20
French (La Bible expliquée)
Voilà ce qui rend l'homme impur! Mais manger sans s'être lavé les mains selon la coutume, cela ne rend pas l'homme impur. » Certains s'occupent des apparences, mais ne font pas preuve d'une adhésion profonde à l'alliance. Or, c'est du cœur de l'homme, c'est-à-dire dans son être intérieur, que naissent les pensées, les sentiments, les paroles et les actes négatifs. Changer la personnalité profonde de l'être humain était déjà présenté par le prophète Ézékiel comme la condition indispensable d'une vraie fidélité à Dieu (Ézék 36.26). Une religion de façade, qui ne repose que sur un formalisme rituel, ne rend pas apte à conduire les autres (Jean 9.40-41).
What Does This Mean?
In Matthew 15:20, Jesus explains that what truly defiles a person is not eating with unwashed hands but the evil actions and thoughts that come from within a person's heart.
Explained for Children
Imagine you have a toy box. If your toys are messy or dirty, it doesn't make you a bad kid. But if you decide to be mean to others, that can really hurt people inside, just like eating with unwashed hands doesn’t actually make you bad.
Historical Background
Matthew wrote this verse in the first century AD as part of his gospel aimed at Jewish Christians. At the time, there were strict religious rules about cleanliness and purity, which Jesus addresses here to clarify true moral standards.
Living It Out Today
In today's context, think about someone who judges you for not wearing a mask during a pandemic, but overlooks their own rude behavior. This verse reminds us that true morality is more than just following external rules; it’s about how we treat others and the intentions behind our actions.
Topics
moralitydefilementpurityheart issuesinternal vs external purityjudgment
Related Verses
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this verse mean we don't need to practice hygiene?
No, the verse emphasizes that true purity is from within. While hygiene practices are important for health and respect towards others, they do not determine one's moral worth.
How does this relate to Jesus' teaching on judgment?
Jesus teaches against judging people based on superficial actions like eating with unwashed hands. Instead, we should focus on internal purity and love for our neighbors as a reflection of God’s character.
What is the historical context behind this verse?
This verse was spoken in a time when strict rules about cleanliness were part of religious practices. Jesus challenges these outward focuses by pointing to inner moral purity as more important.
Can you give an example of what defiles a person according to this verse?
The verse suggests that evil thoughts, acts like theft or adultery, and other immoral behaviors coming from within the heart are what truly defile a person, not external actions alone.