14 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: 15 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. 16 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. 17 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. 18 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; 19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? 20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. (Mark 7:14-23 KJV)
What Defiles a Person
Jesus taught the people the truth behind their traditions. Since this affected daily life, He made sure the people understood (Mark 7:14). “Hear me, everyone, and understand.” It’s not enough to listen—we must understand. Christ tackled the root idea behind the handwashing custom. Wrong customs are best corrected by addressing the wrong beliefs behind them.
He teaches that defilement doesn’t come from eating food, even with unwashed hands (Mark 7:15). What enters the body doesn’t defile a person spiritually; it passes through the stomach and is eliminated. But what comes out of the heart—evil thoughts, desires, and actions—defiles a person and he becomes unclean before God. So we must cleanse our hearts from wickedness.
Later, when alone with His disciples, they asked Him about this teaching (Mark 7:17). He first rebuked them for being slow to understand: “Are you also without understanding?” He didn’t expect them to grasp everything, but this should have been clear to them. Still, He explains it clearly.
What we eat or drink can’t spiritually defile us. It enters the stomach, passes through natural digestion, and is expelled. “Food is for the stomach and the stomach for food, but God will destroy them both.”
Rather, what comes out of the heart defiles us. Just as the law considered bodily discharges defiling (Leviticus 15:2; Deuteronomy 23:13), so does the spiritual uncleanness that comes from a corrupted mind (Mark 7:21). From within, out of the heart—our supposed best part—come all evils. A corrupt fountain yields corrupt streams. A corrupt heart produces evil thoughts, desires, words, and actions.
Mark lists additional sins not found in Matthew. These include:
- Covetousness: an unending craving for more wealth and pleasure.
- Wickedness: hatred and malice.
- Deceit: hiding evil intentions under a disguise.
- Lasciviousness: impure desires and lewd talk.
- The evil eye: envy and jealousy.
- Pride: self-exaltation and contempt for others.
- Foolishness: rash speech and thoughtless actions.
Evil thoughts come first, as the root of all wrongdoing. Foolishness comes last, as the cause of many neglected duties. Jesus concludes (Mark 7:23).