Mark 7:18

KJV

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;

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he saith {G3004} unto them {G846}, Are {G2075} ye {G5210} so {G3779} without understanding {G801} also {G2532}? Do ye {G3539} not {G3756} perceive {G3539}, that {G3754} whatsoever thing {G3956} from without {G1855} entereth {G1531} into {G1519} the man {G444}, it cannot {G3756}{G1410} defile {G2840} him {G846};

Complete Jewish Bible

He replied to them, "So you too are without understanding? Don't you see that nothing going into a person from outside can make him unclean?

Berean Standard Bible

“Are you still so dull?” He asked. “Do you not understand? Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him,

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jesus directly challenges His disciples' spiritual comprehension, building upon His earlier public teaching that true defilement does not originate from external sources like food or unwashed hands, but from the inner condition of a person's heart. This pivotal verse underscores a radical redefinition of purity, shifting the focus from ceremonial observance to moral and spiritual integrity, and exposing the disciples' lingering adherence to superficial religious traditions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a crucial section of Mark's Gospel where Jesus confronts the rigid legalism of the Pharisees and scribes. The immediate preceding narrative (Mark 7:1-13) details a direct confrontation where these religious leaders criticize Jesus' disciples for not adhering to the "tradition of the elders"—specifically, the ritual washing of hands before eating. Jesus responds by exposing their hypocrisy, arguing that they nullify God's commandment for the sake of their tradition. He then calls the crowd to listen and understand His profound declaration in [Mark 7:15](/mark/7-15 "Mark 7:15 - What Truly Defiles"), stating that "nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them; rather, what comes out of a person is what defiles them." Mark 7:18 then follows a private conversation where the disciples, still perplexed by this revolutionary teaching, ask Jesus for further explanation ([Mark 7:17](/mark/7-17 "Mark 7:17 - Disciples Ask for Explanation")). Jesus' question in verse 18, therefore, serves as a gentle rebuke and a call for deeper spiritual insight, highlighting their struggle to grasp a truth that fundamentally challenged their ingrained worldview.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish society, particularly among the Pharisees, placed immense emphasis on ritual purity as prescribed by the Mosaic Law and, more significantly, by the extensive "tradition of the elders" (oral law). This oral tradition, later codified in the Mishnah, included elaborate rules concerning dietary laws (kosher), ritual washings for hands, vessels, and even market purchases, all intended to maintain ceremonial cleanness. These practices were not merely hygienic but deeply theological, signifying separation from Gentile impurity and devotion to God. The Pharisees, as a movement, sought to extend priestly purity standards to all aspects of daily life for every Jew. Jesus' teaching in [Mark 7](/mark/7 "Mark 7 - True Purity") directly challenged this deeply entrenched system, asserting that God's primary concern was not with external adherence to human traditions but with the internal state of the heart. This was a revolutionary and highly controversial stance that threatened the very foundation of the religious establishment's authority and understanding of holiness.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 7:18 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within Mark's Gospel and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the **Redefinition of Purity**, where Jesus radically shifts the locus of defilement from external sources and ceremonial observances to internal moral corruption. This theme is further elaborated in [Mark 7:20-23](/mark/7-20-23 "Mark 7:20-23 - The Heart's Defilement"), where Jesus explicitly lists evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly as originating from within the heart. This directly challenges the legalistic mindset prevalent among the religious leaders of His day, emphasizing that true holiness is a matter of the heart's disposition before God, not adherence to outward rituals. Another key theme is the **Disciples' Lack of Understanding**, which is a recurring motif in Mark's Gospel. Jesus' rhetorical question, "Are ye so without understanding also?" highlights their spiritual dullness and difficulty in grasping the profound spiritual truths He teaches, often contrasting with the simple faith of ordinary people. This theme underscores the need for divine revelation and spiritual discernment to comprehend the kingdom of God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **without understanding (Greek, _asýnetos'_):** Derived from G801, this term signifies a lack of comprehension or intelligence, particularly in spiritual matters. It implies a failure to connect ideas, to grasp the deeper meaning, or to perceive the spiritual implications of a truth. Jesus uses it here not merely to denote ignorance, but a surprising dullness or inability to grasp a fundamental spiritual principle despite His clear teaching.
* **entereth (Greek, _eisporeúomai'_):** From G1531, this word means "to enter" or "to go into," used both literally and figuratively. In this context, it refers to anything consumed or taken into the body, particularly food. Jesus' point is that the physical act of ingestion, or the nature of the external substance itself, does not inherently possess the power to render a person morally or spiritually unclean before God.
* **defile (Greek, _koinóō'_):** From G2840, this verb means "to make common," "to make unclean," or "to profane." It carries the sense of rendering something ceremonially or morally impure, unfit for sacred use or for fellowship with God. Jesus' radical assertion is that external things, by their very nature, cannot "koinóō" a person in the way that truly matters—that is, in their standing before God. True defilement, He argues, stems from internal moral corruption, not from external contact or consumption.
#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also?"**: Jesus' opening question is a rhetorical one, expressing His astonishment and disappointment at the disciples' persistent spiritual dullness. The "also" (G2532, _kai_) implies that if the crowd struggled to understand, it was even more surprising that His closest followers, who had the benefit of private instruction, were still so "without understanding" (_asýnetos_). This highlights the profound challenge Jesus' teaching posed to the ingrained religious paradigms of the time, even for those closest to Him.
* **"Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man,"**: This clause reiterates the core principle Jesus had just taught the crowds in [Mark 7:15](/mark/7-15 "Mark 7:15 - What Truly Defiles"). The phrase "from without" (G1855, _éxōthen_) explicitly refers to external elements, particularly food or other substances that physically enter the body. The question "Do ye not perceive?" (G3539, _noiéō_) challenges their ability to exercise their minds and comprehend this spiritual truth, moving beyond superficial observation to true discernment.
* **"[it] cannot defile him;"**: This is the crucial declaration. The word "cannot" (G3756, _ou_ + G1410, _dýnamai_) signifies an absolute impossibility. Jesus emphatically states that no external substance, regardless of its ceremonial status under the traditions, possesses the inherent power to render a person morally or spiritually impure in God's sight. This statement directly dismantles the entire framework of ritualistic purity that dominated Jewish religious life, redirecting the focus entirely to the internal state of the individual.
#### Literary Devices
Mark 7:18 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question**, "Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive...?" Jesus uses these questions not to elicit information, but to underscore His disappointment and to prompt the disciples toward deeper introspection and comprehension. This technique highlights the gap between His spiritual teaching and their current level of understanding. There is also an element of **Irony**, as the disciples, who are privy to Jesus' private teachings, are shown to be just as, if not more, spiritually dull than the crowds. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Didactic Statement**, serving to clarify and reinforce a foundational theological truth about the source of true defilement. It sets up the subsequent, more explicit explanation of internal defilement found in [Mark 7:20-23](/mark/7-20-23 "Mark 7:20-23 - The Heart's Defilement"), making this verse a crucial bridge in Jesus' teaching.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jesus' teaching in Mark 7:18 marks a profound theological shift, dismantling the externalistic and legalistic framework of purity that had become central to much of first-century Judaism. By declaring that nothing entering a person from without can defile them, Jesus liberates His followers from the burden of countless human traditions and ceremonial laws, redirecting their attention to the true source of moral and spiritual defilement: the human heart. This teaching aligns with the prophetic tradition of the Old Testament, which often critiqued outward religious performance when unaccompanied by genuine internal righteousness (e.g., [Isaiah 1:10-17](/isaiah/1-10-17 "Isaiah 1:10-17 - True Worship and Justice"), [Jeremiah 7:1-15](/jeremiah/7-1-15 "Jeremiah 7:1-15 - The Temple Sermon")). Jesus' words anticipate the New Covenant emphasis on inward transformation and the Spirit-wrought purity of the conscience, laying the groundwork for the early church's understanding that dietary laws and ritual washings were no longer binding (e.g., [Acts 10:9-16](/acts/10-9-16 "Acts 10:9-16 - Peter's Vision of Unclean Animals")).

* [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guard Your Heart"): "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."
* [Matthew 15:18-20](/matthew/15-18-20 "Matthew 15:18-20 - What Comes from the Heart Defiles"): "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man."
* [Romans 14:14](/romans/14-14 "Romans 14:14 - Nothing is Unclean in Itself"): "I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 7:18 serves as a timeless corrective to any form of religiosity that prioritizes external performance over internal transformation. In an age where appearances and outward conformity often overshadow genuine spiritual health, Jesus' words compel us to look inward. This passage challenges believers to examine the true source of their struggles with sin and unrighteousness, redirecting our focus from superficial rules and traditions to the condition of our hearts. It liberates us from the burden of legalism, reminding us that God is primarily concerned with our motives, thoughts, and desires, rather than merely our adherence to a set of outward behaviors. True Christian living is not about what we consume or what rituals we observe, but about the purity of our inner being, cultivated through a relationship with Christ and the indwelling Spirit. This calls us to a profound self-awareness, recognizing that our greatest battle against defilement is waged within, requiring constant vigilance and reliance on divine grace to purify our hearts and minds.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be tempted to focus on external religious observances or appearances rather than cultivating a pure heart before God?**
* **What thoughts, attitudes, or desires within my heart might be defiling me, even if my outward actions appear righteous?**
* **How does Jesus' teaching here challenge my understanding of holiness and what it truly means to be clean in God's sight?**
* **What practical steps can I take to prioritize the purification of my heart over mere outward conformity?**

### FAQ
**Did Jesus abolish all Old Testament food laws with this statement?**

Answer: While Jesus' statement in [Mark 7:18](/mark/7-18 "Mark 7:18 - What Truly Defiles") and His subsequent explanation in [Mark 7:19](/mark/7-19 "Mark 7:19 - Thus He Declared All Foods Clean") ("Thus He declared all foods clean") are often interpreted as implicitly abolishing the Old Testament dietary laws (kosher laws), the primary focus here is on the *source* of moral defilement, not a direct legislative repeal of the Mosaic Law. Jesus is primarily challenging the "tradition of the elders" and the idea that external substances could make a person spiritually unclean. The New Testament, particularly in [Acts 10](/acts/10 "Acts 10 - Peter's Vision and Cornelius's Conversion") (Peter's vision) and [Romans 14](/romans/14 "Romans 14 - Principles of Christian Liberty"), later clarifies that food laws are no longer binding for believers, emphasizing Christian liberty and conscience. So, while not a direct abolition here, it lays the theological groundwork for that understanding.

**What does Jesus mean by calling His disciples "without understanding"?**

Answer: When Jesus asks, "Are ye so without understanding also?" (referring to the Greek word _asýnetos_), He is expressing His surprise and disappointment that His closest disciples, who had the privilege of private instruction, were still struggling to grasp such a fundamental spiritual truth. It implies a dullness of spiritual perception, an inability to move beyond superficial, traditional interpretations to the deeper, heart-centered reality of God's will. It's not a condemnation of their intelligence, but a lament over their spiritual slowness to comprehend the radical nature of the Kingdom message, which contrasted sharply with the legalistic mindset they had grown up with. This theme of the disciples' slow understanding is common throughout [Mark's Gospel](/mark/1 "The Gospel According to Mark").

**Does this teaching mean that physical hygiene or health is unimportant?**

Answer: Absolutely not. Jesus' teaching in [Mark 7:18](/mark/7-18 "Mark 7:18 - What Truly Defiles") is specifically addressing *moral and spiritual defilement*, not physical hygiene or health. He is distinguishing between ceremonial uncleanness (which the Pharisees emphasized) and true sin that originates from the heart. The passage does not negate the importance of cleanliness for health or practical purposes, nor does it endorse unhealthy practices. It simply clarifies that eating with unwashed hands or consuming certain foods does not, in itself, render a person morally impure in God's eyes. The focus is on the spiritual condition of the inner person, which is distinct from physical well-being.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 7:18, with its radical redefinition of purity, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is not merely a teacher who clarifies what truly defiles; He is the very source of true purity and the one who cleanses us from within. By emphasizing that defilement comes from the heart, Jesus foreshadows the New Covenant, where the law is written not on stone tablets but on human hearts ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")). Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross addresses the very root of defilement—the sin that originates from our fallen hearts. Through His blood, our consciences are cleansed from dead works to serve the living God ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing the Conscience")). He came not to merely reform external religious practices, but to transform the inner person, making us new creations ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). The Holy Spirit, indwelling believers, empowers us to live from a purified heart, enabling us to walk in righteousness and holiness that far surpasses mere outward conformity ([Romans 8:1-4](/romans/8-1-4 "Romans 8:1-4 - No Condemnation in Christ")). Thus, Jesus' teaching in Mark 7:18 points directly to His redemptive mission: to deal with the sin problem at its core and to make us truly clean, inside and out, through His perfect life, death, and resurrection ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ Cleanses the Church")).

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

Matthew 15:16

And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?

Matthew 15:17

Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

Hebrews 5:11

Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

Matthew 16:11

How is it that ye do not understand that I spake [it] not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?

Luke 24:25

Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

Isaiah 28:9

¶ Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? [them that are] weaned from the milk, [and] drawn from the breasts.

Isaiah 28:10

For precept [must be] upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, [and] there a little: