These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”
And pollute the man. Instead of the verb pollute, the Greek term is κοινοῖ, make common; as Mark, a little before, (7:2,) used the phrase, κοιναῖς χερσὶ, with common hands, for with unclean hands. “Les mains communes pour souillees et non lavees;” — “common hands for polluted and not washed.” It is a Hebrew phrase; “C’est une facon de parler propre aux Hebrieux;” — “it...
Christ having proved that the disciples, in eating with unwashen hands, were not to be blamed, as transgressing the traditions and injunctions of the elders, comes here to show that they were not to be blamed, as having done any thing that was in itself evil. In the former part of his discourse he overturned the authority of the law, and in this the reason of it. Observe, I.
Commenting on Matthew 15:10-20
These are the things which defile a man,.... These are filthy in themselves, and must pollute all in whom they are; they bring a defilement on the whole man, both body and soul, fasten guilt upon him, and expose him to everlasting punishment: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man: should a man neglect to wash his bands before eating a common...