Mark 7

Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctines the commandments of men.

For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:

But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.

And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;

Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:

There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.

And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;

Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?

And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid.

For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:

The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.

But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.

And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.

And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.

And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.

And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.

And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him.

And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;

And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.

And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.

And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it;

And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

What does Mark 7:21 mean?

Explanation

Mark 7:21 speaks to the concept of human morality and the source of evil actions.

The verse attributes the origin of sinful behaviors – such as evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, and other vices – to the heart of a person.

In this context, the "heart" is not referring to the physical organ, but rather to the inner self, the seat of emotions, thoughts, and will.

Jesus teaches that these evils come from within a person, indicating that they are a product of human nature and free will, rather than being solely the result of external influences.

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Historical Context

This verse comes from the Gospel of Mark in the New Testament, which is traditionally believed to have been written between AD 55-70.

The Gospel was likely written for a Roman audience, and Mark emphasizes the actions of Jesus.

At the time, Jewish people often held to the purity laws detailed in the Torah, which included various dietary restrictions and practices meant to keep them ceremonially clean.

Jesus challenged these notions of external cleanliness and instead emphasized the impurity that comes from within, essentially critiquing the religious leaders who focused on external observances while neglecting moral integrity.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, Mark 7:21 can be interpreted through various lenses. In Christian theology, this verse supports the doctrine of original sin, which suggests that all humans are born with a propensity to sin.

Moreover, it emphasizes the need for internal transformation through faith in Jesus Christ, rather than adherence to a code of rituals or laws.

Some theologians might interpret this verse to mean that evil is a matter of the heart and thus point to the necessity of a changed heart, something that they believe can only be provided by the transformative power of God's grace.

Practical Applications

This verse can serve as a basis for introspection and personal growth for many believers.

Rather than looking outwardly for sources of temptation or evil, individuals are encouraged to examine their own thoughts and desires.

The practical application involves taking responsibility for one's moral failings, seeking personal development, and aligning one's inner thoughts and motivations with virtuous and ethical standards.

It can also underscore the importance of cultivating virtues that counteract the vices listed in the text.

Cross-References

Matthew 15:19: "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:"
Jeremiah 17:9: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"
James 1:14-15: "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."

Galatians 5:19-21: "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,"

Language Study

The key terms in this verse originally written in Greek are important to understand within the context:

"Heart" (καρδιά - kardia): Often used metaphorically in scripture to refer to the inner self, including one's thoughts, will, and moral center.
"Evil thoughts" (διαλογισμοί - dialogismoi): The term refers to reasoning or intentions that are morally corrupt.
"Fornications" (πορνεῖαι - porneiai): This term is generally used to refer to sexual immorality of various kinds, often implying illicit sexual behavior.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient cultures and religions, there is often a concept of internal versus external sources of evil.

For instance, in some strands of Hinduism, there is the belief in inner impurities (known as "asuras") which can lead to sinful behavior.

In Buddhism, defilement comes from within as a result of attachment, aversion, and delusion.

This verse from Mark aligns with a broader religious understanding that moral integrity involves internal purity, not just external observance.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern psychology also acknowledges that human behaviors, including harmful or unethical ones, originate from within the mind and can be influenced by a complex interaction of nature and nurture.

While not referring to evil in a theological sense, scientific explorations into human behavior similarly recognize the crucial role of internal thought processes and decision-making in actions taken by individuals.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and commentators have often cited Mark 7:21 as an important statement on human sinfulness:

John Calvin noted that Jesus is teaching that all sins come from the heart, and thus we cannot blame God for our sins, since they come from our own corrupt nature.
Matthew Henry's commentary suggests that Christ would have us look at the heart, and describes it as the source that must be cleaned so that actions will follow suit.
William Barclay interprets this verse as Jesus declaring that it is in the mind and heart of man that defilement begins and moral defilement is far more serious than physical.
David Guzik highlights how the worst pollution comes from within and that it is a universal problem, needing a universal solution, found in Jesus.

Mark 7

Mark 7

What does Mark 7:21 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Mark 7:21 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?