{This defileth the man} ( outo koinoi ton anthr(9370)on).
This word is from koinos which is used in two senses, either
what is "common" to all and general like the _Koin(825f) Greek, or
what is unclean and "common" either ceremonially or in reality.
The ceremonial "commonness" disturbed Peter on the housetop in
Joppa ( Ac 10:14 ). See also Ac 21:28 Heb 9:13 . One who is
thus religiously common or unclean is cut off from doing his
religious acts. "Defilement" was a grave issue with the
rabbinical ceremonialists. Jesus appeals to the crowd here: {Hear
and understand} (akouete kai suniete). He has a profound
distinction to draw. Moral uncleanness is what makes a man
common, defiles him. That is what is to be dreaded, not to be
glossed over. "This goes beyond the tradition of the elders and
virtually abrogates the Levitical distinctions between clean and
unclean" (Bruce). One can see the pettifogging pretenders shrivel
up under these withering words.
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