Jesus does not mention this ceremonial purity as one of the conditions of entering into His kingdom, but points out the need of purity of heart. The wisdom that is from above "is first pure." James 3:17. Into the city of God there will enter nothing that defiles. All who are to be dwellers there will here have become pure in heart. In one who is learning of Jesus, there will be manifest a growing distaste 25 for careless manners, unseemly language, and coarse thought. When Christ abides in the heart, there will be purity and refinement of thought and manner.

Jesus omtaler ikke denne ceremonielle renhed som en af betingelserne for at indgå i hans rige, men påpeger nødvendigheden af hjertets renhed. Visdommen ovenfra er »først og fremmest ren« (Jak. 3,17). Intet, der besmitter, vil kunne indgå i Guds stad; alle dens beboere vil være blevet rene i hjertet. Hos den, der lærer af Jesus, vil der vise sig en tiltagende afsmag for ligegyldighed i opførsel, usømmelig tale og grove tanker. Når Jesus bor i hjertet, vil tanker og opførsel vidne om renhed og dannelse.