What the Bible says about Ritual Washings
(From Forerunner Commentary)
This long section dealing with defilement begins with a question from the Pharisees about eating with unwashed hands (verse 7). Christ's answer never strays from this point; He is addressing ritual washings that the Jews added (verses 7-9), not unclean meats. Verse 19, however, is often cited as proof that Jesus declared all foods clean. Yet He is speaking about the human digestive system! He says that whether one washes his hands or not, the digestive tract handles, or "purifies," all food the same way. He then moves to the more serious issue of a man's conduct, which is what truly defiles him.
Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Clean and Unclean MeatsRelated Topics: Clean/ Unclean as Metaphor | Clean/Unclean Meats | Defilement | Defilement from Within | Purification | Purification, Rites of | Sin, Defilement of | Traditions of Men