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.
There.
nothing.
Mark 7:18-20 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; …
Leviticus 11:42-47 Whatsoever goeth upon the belly, and whatsoever goeth upon all four, or whatsoever hath more feet among all creeping things that creep upon the earth, them ye shall not eat; for they are an abomination…
Acts 10:14-16,28 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean…
but.
Mark 7:20-23 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man…
Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Matthew 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
but the things that come out of a man,
This phrase highlights the importance of internal moral and spiritual condition over external ritual compliance. In the cultural context of first-century Judaism, there was a strong emphasis on maintaining ritual purity through external actions. However, Jesus redirects attention to the moral and ethical behaviors that originate from within a person. This teaching is consistent with the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, such as Proverbs 4:23, which advises guarding one's heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Jesus is teaching that the source of true defilement is not what is consumed, but what is produced by one's thoughts, words, and actions.
these are what defile him.”
Here, Jesus concludes His teaching by asserting that defilement is a result of what emanates from a person's heart and mind. This statement is a call to self-examination and repentance, urging individuals to focus on their inner life and relationship with God. It echoes the teachings of the prophets, such as Jeremiah 17:9, which describes the heart as deceitful and desperately wicked. Jesus' teaching also foreshadows the New Covenant, where the law is written on the hearts of believers (Jeremiah 31:33). This internalization of God's law is fulfilled in Christ, who embodies the perfect example of purity and righteousness. Jesus' emphasis on internal defilement underscores the need for a transformation that only He can provide, pointing to the necessity of His redemptive work on the cross.
– Jesus has just been challenged about ceremonial hand-washing (Mark 7:1–5); He redirects attention from ritual to reality.
– Food itself, taken in with thanksgiving, is declared morally neutral (cf. Acts 10:15; Romans 14:14; 1 Timothy 4:4).
– God created the material world good, so the mere act of eating cannot stain the conscience.
– “Outside” highlights that defilement is not primarily external but spiritual.
– Israel’s dietary laws pointed to holiness (Leviticus 11) yet were always meant to teach inward purity (Isaiah 29:13).
– Jesus anticipates the new-covenant freedom where believers are not bound by food regulations (Colossians 2:16-17, 21-22).
– Defilement in Scripture speaks of unfitness to approach God (Psalm 24:3-4).
– The Lord affirms that sin, not sandwiches, separates us from fellowship.
– True uncleanness is a matter of the heart, not the menu (Hebrews 10:22).
– Words and actions flow from the inner person (Matthew 15:18–19; Proverbs 4:23).
– Jesus will list concrete examples just a few verses later—evil thoughts, immorality, deceit, pride (Mark 7:21-22).
– The fruit of our lips and lives exposes the root of our hearts (James 3:10-12; Galatians 5:19-23).
– Sin expressed outwardly confirms the inward corruption needing redemption (Jeremiah 17:9).
– God looks past appearances to the motives that burst forth in conduct (1 Samuel 16:7).
– Nothing unclean will enter God’s presence (Revelation 21:27); only a cleansed heart through Christ’s sacrifice makes us fit (Hebrews 9:14).
Mark 7:15 redirects the spotlight from external observances to internal righteousness. Food cannot pollute the soul, but the words and deeds springing from a sinful heart surely can. Jesus calls every listener to let Him cleanse the inside first, knowing that when the heart is purified, life on the outside follows suit.
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