Primary Scripture
Matthew 15:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
Plain explanation
YAHUSHA is addressing heart defilement and handwashing tradition, not redefining unclean animals as food.
Common assumption
Not what goes into the mouth means unclean meats are clean.
Scripture-defined meaning
Matthew 15:11 answers a dispute about defilement, handwashing, and what comes from the heart. It does not redefine unclean animals as food or overturn the clean/unclean distinctions YAHUAH already gave.
Confirming witnesses
- Immediate explanation: Matthew 15:2,20
The dispute begins with unwashed hands, and YAHUSHA ends by saying that eating with unwashed hands does not defile. - Lexical usage: Mark 7:15,20-23
The parallel account locates true defilement in evil proceeding from the heart, not in a redefinition of edible creatures. - Prophetic purpose: Leviticus 11:46-47
Torah separately defines which creatures are clean, unclean, edible, and not edible. - Apostolic confirmation: 1 Timothy 4:5
Paul says food is sanctified by the Word of YAHUAH, so the Word—not a handwashing dispute—defines what is food.
Takeaway
Heart defilement does not cancel YAHUAH's definition of clean and unclean.
Context reflection
Where has a handwashing dispute been used to overturn YAHUAH's food boundaries?