Mark 7:15

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

There is {G2076} nothing {G3762} from without {G1855} a man {G444}, that {G3739} entering {G1531} into {G1519} him {G846} can {G1410} defile {G2840} him {G846}: but {G235} the things which come {G1607} out of {G575} him {G846}, those {G1565} are they {G2076} that defile {G2840} the man {G444}.

Complete Jewish Bible

There is nothing outside a person which, by going into him, can make him unclean. Rather, it is the things that come out of a person which make a person unclean!"

Berean Standard Bible

Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him; but the things that come out of a man, these are what defile him.”

American Standard Version

there is nothing from without the man, that going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jesus delivers a profound and revolutionary teaching that fundamentally redefines the nature of defilement. He asserts that true impurity does not originate from external sources, such as food or ritualistic contact, but rather from the inner moral and spiritual state of a person, manifesting in their thoughts, intentions, and subsequent actions. This statement challenges the prevailing religious understanding of His day, shifting the focus from outward ceremonial cleanliness to the condition of the human heart as the true source of sin and defilement.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal statement by Jesus is situated within a broader confrontation with the Pharisees and scribes, who had traveled from Jerusalem to Galilee to challenge Jesus and His disciples. The immediate trigger for this discourse was their criticism that Jesus' disciples ate bread with "unwashed hands," thereby violating the "tradition of the elders" ([Mark 7:1-5](/mark/7-1-5 "Mark 7:1-5 - The Pharisees' Tradition")). Jesus responds by exposing their hypocrisy, arguing that they prioritize human traditions over God's commandments, effectively nullifying God's word for the sake of their own rules ([Mark 7:6-13](/mark/7-6-13 "Mark 7:6-13 - Jesus Condemns Hypocrisy")). [Mark 7:15](/mark/7-15 "Mark 7:15 - True Defilement Comes From Within") serves as the central, radical principle that undergirds His critique, setting the stage for His subsequent, more detailed explanation to His disciples in [Mark 7:17-23](/mark/7-17-23 "Mark 7:17-23 - Jesus Explains the Parable of Defilement"), where He explicitly lists the evil thoughts and actions that truly defile a person.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish society, particularly among the Pharisees, placed immense importance on ritual purity. This was based on interpretations and extensions of Old Testament laws concerning clean and unclean foods, ceremonial washings, and contact with various defiling objects or persons. These traditions, often codified in oral law, aimed to maintain a state of holiness before God and set Israel apart. The concept of "defilement" (Hebrew: _tumah_) was deeply ingrained, affecting daily life, dietary practices, and social interactions. Jesus' statement directly challenges this deeply held cultural and religious framework, asserting that the true locus of defilement is not in external contact or consumption, but in the moral and spiritual condition of the heart, a concept that would have been profoundly shocking and counter-cultural to His audience.
* **Key Themes:** [Mark 7:15](/mark/7-15 "Mark 7:15 - True Defilement Comes From Within") is a cornerstone for several key themes in Mark's Gospel and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Internal vs. External Purity**, where Jesus radically reorients the understanding of defilement from outward ceremonial observances to the inner state of the heart. This directly relates to the **Source of Sin**, identifying the human heart as the wellspring of all evil thoughts, desires, and actions that genuinely defile a person, as further elaborated in [Mark 7:20-23](/mark/7-20-23 "Mark 7:20-23 - The True Source of Defilement"). Furthermore, this verse represents a profound **Critique of Legalism and Human Tradition**, demonstrating Jesus' authority to reinterpret and transcend the rigid, man-made rules that had obscured the true spirit of God's law. It highlights the importance of genuine obedience and spiritual transformation over mere outward conformity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **defile (Greek, _koinóō'_):** This verb, derived from _koinós_ (common, profane), means "to make (or consider) profane (ceremonially)." In the context of Jewish law, something was "defiled" if it became ritually impure or common, thereby unsuitable for sacred use or contact. Jesus' use of this word here is revolutionary, shifting its meaning from ceremonial impurity to moral and spiritual corruption. He argues that external things cannot make one "common" or "profane" in the true, spiritual sense; only internal evil can.
* **entering (Greek, _eisporeúomai'_):** This compound verb, meaning "to enter (literally or figuratively)," emphasizes the act of something coming *into* a person. In the context of the Pharisees' concern, it refers to food or other external substances passing into the body. Jesus uses this to dismiss the idea that the physical act of ingestion or contact can render a person spiritually or morally impure.
* **come out (Greek, _ekporeúomai'_):** This verb, meaning "to depart, be discharged, proceed, project," is the direct antithesis to "entering." It signifies something originating from within and moving outward. Jesus uses this word to pinpoint the true source of defilement: not what goes *into* a person, but what originates *from* their inner being and manifests in their words and deeds. This highlights the heart as the origin point of all moral and spiritual purity or impurity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him":** This clause directly challenges the prevailing understanding of ritual purity. Jesus asserts that no external substance, food, or contact, regardless of its ceremonial status, has the power to render a person truly defiled in a moral or spiritual sense. The focus is shifted from the physical act of ingestion or touch to the inherent nature of the external object itself, which Jesus declares is incapable of corrupting the inner person.
* **"but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man."** This contrasting clause reveals Jesus' radical redefinition of defilement. He teaches that true impurity originates from within the human heart. The "things which come out" refer to the evil thoughts, intentions, desires, and subsequent actions (e.g., murder, theft, adultery, greed, pride) that are born in the heart and then manifest externally. It is these internal corruptions, and their outward expressions, that genuinely pollute a person in God's sight.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in [Mark 7:15](/mark/7-15 "Mark 7:15 - True Defilement Comes From Within") is **Antithesis** or **Contrast**. Jesus sets up a stark opposition between "nothing from without a man" and "the things which come out of him." This sharp distinction serves to highlight the radical shift in understanding defilement from external to internal sources. Related to this is **Paradox**, as Jesus' statement would have appeared paradoxical and counter-intuitive to a Jewish audience steeped in purity laws. He challenges their established norms by presenting a truth that seems to contradict common religious understanding. While not a direct **Metaphor**, the concept of "defilement" itself is used here in a deeper, moral and spiritual sense, moving beyond its literal ceremonial meaning to symbolize a state of inner corruption.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jesus' teaching in [Mark 7:15](/mark/7-15 "Mark 7:15 - True Defilement Comes From Within") is profoundly theological, striking at the heart of human sinfulness and God's standard of holiness. It reveals that God's primary concern is not with outward conformity to human traditions, but with the condition of the human heart, which the Old Testament consistently identifies as the source of both good and evil ([Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Keep Your Heart")). This teaching lays the groundwork for the New Covenant emphasis on inner transformation and the Spirit's work in cleansing the heart, rather than relying on external rituals or legalistic observances. It underscores the pervasive nature of sin, originating from within, and highlights the need for a radical, internal change that only God can bring about.

* [Matthew 15:18-20](/matthew/15-18-20 "Matthew 15:18-20 - What Comes Out of the Mouth Defiles")
* [Romans 14:14](/romans/14-14 "Romans 14:14 - Nothing is Unclean in Itself")
* [Psalm 51:10](/psalms/51-10 "Psalm 51:10 - Create in Me a Clean Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Mark 7:15](/mark/7-15 "Mark 7:15 - True Defilement Comes From Within") serves as a powerful call to introspection and a re-evaluation of our priorities in the Christian life. It compels us to look beyond superficial appearances and external religious practices, urging us to examine the true condition of our hearts. If defilement originates from within, then genuine spiritual growth and righteousness must also begin there. This means cultivating a heart that is aligned with God's will, seeking purity of thought, motive, and desire, knowing that these inner states will inevitably manifest in our words and actions. It challenges us to confront the insidious nature of sin that can fester unseen within, reminding us that true holiness is not about what we consume or avoid, but about the character being formed within us by the Holy Spirit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, like the Pharisees, be prone to prioritizing external religious observances or appearances over the true condition of my heart?**
* **What "things that come out" of my own heart (e.g., critical thoughts, selfish motives, unloving words) might be defiling me or negatively impacting my relationships with God and others?**
* **How does Jesus' teaching here challenge or confirm my understanding of sin, righteousness, and the path to spiritual transformation?**

### FAQ

**Did Jesus abolish the Old Testament dietary laws with this statement?**

Answer: While [Mark 7:15](/mark/7-15 "Mark 7:15 - True Defilement Comes From Within") certainly laid the theological groundwork for the eventual cessation of the Old Testament dietary laws, Jesus' primary intent here was not to issue a direct repeal of those laws. Rather, He was making a profound statement about the *source* of true defilement. He was shifting the focus from ceremonial impurity to moral and spiritual impurity, emphasizing that the heart is the root of all sin. The explicit understanding that all foods are clean for believers comes more clearly through later New Testament revelation, particularly in [Acts 10](/acts/10 "Acts 10 - Peter's Vision and Cornelius's Conversion"), and in Paul's letters, such as [Romans 14](/romans/14 "Romans 14 - Principles of Conscience and Liberty") and [1 Timothy 4:4-5](/1_timothy/4-4-5 "1 Timothy 4:4-5 - Everything Created by God is Good"), which affirm the goodness of all food consumed with thanksgiving.

**Does this mean external actions don't matter, only internal thoughts?**

Answer: Absolutely not. Jesus' teaching in [Mark 7:15](/mark/7-15 "Mark 7:15 - True Defilement Comes From Within") does not diminish the importance of external actions; rather, it elevates the understanding of their origin. External actions, whether good or evil, are seen as the *outward manifestation* of an internal state. A defiled heart will inevitably produce defiled actions, words, and attitudes, as Jesus elaborates in [Mark 7:21-23](/mark/7-21-23 "Mark 7:21-23 - What Comes From Within"). Therefore, while the root of sin is internal, its fruit is external, and both are significant. True transformation begins with the heart, leading to a life of righteous and holy conduct that glorifies God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Mark 7:15](/mark/7-15 "Mark 7:15 - True Defilement Comes From Within") finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who not only taught about the true source of defilement but also provided the definitive solution to it. Humanity's fundamental problem is not external impurity, but the deeply entrenched sinfulness of the heart, as revealed by Jesus. The Old Covenant system, with its sacrifices and purity laws, could only cover sins and provide ceremonial cleansing, but it could not fundamentally change the defiled heart. Jesus, however, came as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offering Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice that cleanses us from *all* unrighteousness ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansed by His Blood")). Through His shed blood, He purifies not just our outward actions, but our very consciences from dead works to serve the living God ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing Conscience by Christ's Blood")). Furthermore, through the New Covenant, Christ promises a new heart and a new spirit, enabling His followers to walk in His statutes and keep His rules ([Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26-27 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit")). Thus, Jesus is not merely a teacher of purity, but the divine agent who makes true, internal purity possible, transforming the defiled heart into a dwelling place for God's Spirit ([Ephesians 2:22](/ephesians/2-22 "Ephesians 2:22 - A Dwelling Place for God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 4:23

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life.

Leviticus 11:42

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.

Leviticus 11:47

To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten.

Titus 1:15

Unto the pure all things [are] pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving [is] nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

Hebrews 13:9

Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For [it is] a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

Hebrews 9:10

[Which stood] only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed [on them] until the time of reformation.

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.