7:18 7:18

Mark 7:19

7:20 7:20

Bible Versions

Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
Because {G3754} it entereth {G1531} not {G3756} into {G1519} his {G846} heart {G2588}, but {G235} into {G1519} the belly {G2836}, and {G2532} goeth out {G1607} into {G1519} the draught {G856}, purging {G2511} all {G3956} meats {G1033}?
For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and it passes out into the latrine." (Thus he declared all foods ritually clean.)
because it does not enter his heart, but it goes into the stomach and then is eliminated.” (Thus all foods are clean.)
because it goeth not into his heart, but into his belly, and goeth out into the draught? This he said, making all meats clean.

Mark 7:19 (KJV) is a pivotal verse in Jesus' teaching, often understood as a commentary by the evangelist Mark on the profound implications of Jesus' words regarding true defilement. The verse states: "Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?"

Context

This verse concludes Jesus' explanation to His disciples after a public discourse with the Pharisees and scribes. The religious leaders had criticized Jesus' disciples for not washing their hands according to the tradition of the elders before eating, thereby implying defilement. Jesus used this opportunity to challenge their focus on external rituals over the internal state of the heart. The preceding verse, Mark 7:18, shows Jesus asking the disciples if they, too, fail to understand that nothing entering a person from outside can defile them.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Internal Purity Over External Rituals: The primary message is that true defilement originates from within a person's heart, not from what they consume. What goes into the mouth is merely processed physically ("into the belly, and goeth out into the draught") and does not impact spiritual purity.
  • Abolition of Dietary Laws: The phrase "purging all meats" (or "thus making all foods clean" as some modern translations interpret it from the Greek) is highly significant. Mark's parenthetical comment here indicates that Jesus' teaching fundamentally declared all foods to be clean, thereby superseding the Old Testament Jewish dietary laws concerning clean and unclean foods. This laid the theological groundwork for the early church's understanding, as further developed in books like Acts 10, where Peter receives a vision declaring all foods clean, and Romans 14.
  • The Nature of True Righteousness: Jesus redirects attention from outward observance to the condition of the heart, where evil thoughts, covetousness, pride, and other vices truly originate and defile a person (as detailed in Mark 7:21-23).

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "draught" is aphedrōna (ἀφεδρῶνα), referring to a latrine or privy. This vivid term emphasizes the physical, non-spiritual process of digestion and excretion. The phrase "purging all meats" (καθαρίζων πάντα τὰ βρώματα - katharizōn panta ta brōmata) is crucial. While grammatically a participle modifying "it" (referring to the digestive process), it is widely understood by scholars as an editorial comment by Mark, clarifying the profound implication of Jesus' teaching: that by stating food does not defile, Jesus effectively declared all foods clean, removing the distinction between kosher and non-kosher foods for His followers.

Practical Application

This verse challenges believers to prioritize internal spiritual health over external religious performance. It encourages a focus on the condition of the heart and the motives behind actions, rather than merely adhering to rituals or traditions that may lack true spiritual substance. For Christians today, it affirms the freedom from Old Testament dietary laws, yet also reminds us that true defilement comes from within, urging us to guard our hearts and minds against sin, in alignment with Proverbs 4:23.

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.

  • 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?

  • Acts 11:9

    But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, [that] call not thou common.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:13

    Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body [is] not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.

  • Luke 11:41

    But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.

  • Romans 14:1

    ¶ Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, [but] not to doubtful disputations.

  • Romans 14:12

    So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

  • Colossians 2:21

    (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
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