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 7:23 mean?

Explanation

Mark 7:23 concludes Jesus’ teaching about what defiles a person.

Jesus explains that it is not what enters a person from the outside, such as food, which defiles them, but what comes from within.

In the larger context of Mark 7:14-23, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees and scribes, religious leaders who were very concerned with ritual purity and had criticized Jesus’ disciples for eating without ceremonially washing their hands.

Jesus challenges this focus on external rituals, pointing out that moral impurity originates from the heart, our inner being, and manifests in sins such as theft, murder, adultery, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, envy, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness.

The verse emphasizes the idea that true defilement is a matter of moral and spiritual corruption, not ritual impurity.

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Historical Context

The historical context of Mark 7:23 is first-century Jewish society under Roman rule.

Jewish life was governed by the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures), and the religious leaders, known as Pharisees and scribes, expanded on these laws with additional rules and traditions, especially around purity and dietary laws.

The disciples' disregard for handwashing traditions prompted Jesus' teaching.

In that time, such traditions played an important role in defining community identity and one's standing before God.

Jesus' message would have been radical, challenging the prevailing belief that external observance of the law was equivalent to righteousness.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse has implications for understanding sin and righteousness.

It moves the focus from legalistic adherence to religious rites to the condition of the heart and mind.

It supports the Christian doctrine of original sin, suggesting that human nature itself is fallen and capable of producing evil.

Additionally, the verse affirms that God's concern is not ritual purity but the real intentions and the moral choices of individuals. For Christians, this forms the basis for the emphasis on internal transformation through Christ rather than external adherence to the law.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, Mark 7:23 encourages self-reflection on one's inner life and motivations.

The teaching can be applied by considering whether one's actions are just surface-level compliance with societal or religious norms, or if they stem from a transformed and loving heart.

It provides a framework for ethical behavior that is rooted in internal values rather than external pressures.

This verse also encourages mercy and understanding when dealing with others, focusing on the importance of the heart's intentions rather than judging by appearances.

Cross-References

Specific verses from the King James Version that relate strongly to Mark 7:23 include:

Matthew 15:18-20: "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man."
Jeremiah 17:9: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"
Psalm 51:10: "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."
Proverbs 4:23: "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."

Language Study

Key words in this verse in the original Greek language add depth to its meaning:

"Evil" (Greek: "ponera") – encompasses all forms of moral and spiritual badness, not just physical or external wrongdoing.
"Defile" (Greek: "koinoi") – originally referred to making something common and unclean, especially in a ceremonial sense; Jesus redefines it to mean morally corrupting.
"Within" (Greek: "esothen") – emphasizes the inner origin of evil thoughts and actions, as opposed to external sources.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparing with other ancient religions, many practices emphasized ritual purity and external actions to maintain a relationship with the divine. For example, in ancient Greco-Roman religion, washing and sacrifices were essential for appeasing gods.

In contrast, Jesus’ teaching here places him in line with certain prophetic traditions of Judaism which also called for inward sincerity and moral behavior. This can also be seen in other religious traditions such as Buddhism or Hinduism, which stress moral purity and intentions over ritual purity.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern psychology aligns somewhat with this verse in recognizing that one's thoughts and intentions influence behavior. Cognitive-behavioral theory posits that dysfunctional thinking leads to negative behaviors and emotions.

Additionally, the concept of intrinsic motivation in psychology echoes the idea that actions are morally meaningful when they stem from internal values rather than external pressures.

However, science looks at these phenomena from a non-spiritual standpoint, focusing on the brain and human behavior rather than notions of sin or spiritual defilement.

Commentaries

Various Biblical scholars and theologians have commented on Mark 7:23.

Some underscore Jesus’ radical redefinition of purity and impurity, moving away from ritualistic acts to moral and ethical behavior.

Others emphasize the practical implications for Christian living, suggesting that this verse calls for a transformation that affects one's whole being.

A common theme found in commentaries is the stark contrast Jesus sets between the heart and external adherence to tradition, highlighting that true defilement is a matter of the inner person.

Some commentators may also discuss the implications for understanding the universality of sin and the need for divine grace in overcoming moral failings.

Mark 7

Mark 7

What does Mark 7:23 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 7:23 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?