“All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person” (v23). The Pharisees and others believed that “defilement” or impurity came from contact with unclean people or objects. But the Old Testament ritual laws had always been intended to point to the deeper reality, which Jesus clarified. Spiritual uncleanness comes from desires born in the heart: sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery ... slander, pride, foolishness” (v23). Ironically, the “unclean” Gentile woman recognized Jesus’ authority far more than the “clean” religious leaders (v29-30). 

“They begged him to lay his hand on him” (v32). Pride can make us think that impurity only exists “out there”. But like the deaf-mute man and the Gentile woman, when we recognize our need, Jesus comes close.