Mark 7:20

KJV

And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} he said {G3004},{G3754} That which cometh {G1607} out of {G1537} the man {G444}, that {G1565} defileth {G2840} the man {G444}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"It is what comes out of a person," he went on, "that makes him unclean.

Berean Standard Bible

He continued: “What comes out of a man, that is what defiles him.

American Standard Version

And he said, That which proceedeth out of the man, that defileth the man.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Mark 7:20, Jesus delivers a pivotal teaching that radically redefines the source of defilement. Moving beyond the external ceremonial purity emphasized by the Pharisees, Jesus declares that true spiritual impurity originates not from what enters a person from the outside, but from the corrupt desires and intentions that emerge from the human heart. This statement encapsulates a profound shift from outward ritual observance to an inward focus on moral and spiritual integrity, laying the groundwork for a deeper understanding of God's demands for holiness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a concise summation of Jesus' teaching to the crowds, which immediately follows a contentious encounter with the Pharisees and scribes. The religious leaders had challenged Jesus' disciples for not adhering to the "tradition of the elders" concerning ritual handwashing before eating, viewing it as a defilement to consume food with "unwashed" hands (see [Mark 7:1-5](/mark/7-1-5 "Mark 7:1-5 - The Pharisees' Tradition of Handwashing")). Jesus responds by exposing their hypocrisy, arguing that their human traditions often superseded and even nullified God's commandments, as exemplified in their interpretation of the Corban vow (see [Mark 7:6-13](/mark/7-6-13 "Mark 7:6-13 - Jesus Rebukes the Pharisees")). He then calls the crowd to listen and understand the true nature of defilement, initially stating the principle in [Mark 7:15](/mark/7-15 "Mark 7:15 - Nothing Outside Defiles"). Verse 20 serves as a powerful reiteration and clarification of this revolutionary concept, setting the stage for Jesus' private explanation to His disciples in [Mark 7:17-23](/mark/7-17-23 "Mark 7:17-23 - Jesus Explains True Defilement").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish society, particularly among the Pharisees, placed immense importance on ritual purity laws derived from the Mosaic Law and elaborated upon by oral traditions. These traditions, known as the "traditions of the elders" or "halakha," governed daily life, including dietary restrictions, Sabbath observance, and ritual washings. The concern was to avoid ritual impurity (tumah) to maintain a state of cleanness (taharah) necessary for worship and communal life. Food, contact with certain objects or people, and bodily discharges were all potential sources of defilement. Jesus' teaching directly challenged the prevailing understanding that external contact or consumption was the primary source of impurity. By declaring that defilement comes "out of the man," He was subverting centuries of established religious practice and thought, shifting the focus from external adherence to internal moral condition.

* **Key Themes:** Mark 7:20 is central to several key themes in Mark's Gospel and broader biblical theology. It highlights the theme of **Internal Purity vs. External Ritualism**, asserting that God is concerned with the heart's condition more than outward observances. This challenges the superficiality of religious legalism and anticipates the New Covenant emphasis on inner transformation. The verse also underscores the **Radical Nature of Jesus' Teaching**, demonstrating His authority to reinterpret and fulfill the Law, moving beyond the letter to the spirit of God's commands. Furthermore, it introduces the theme of the **Human Heart as the Source of Sin**, a concept deeply rooted in Old Testament wisdom literature (e.g., [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guard Your Heart")) and further elaborated by Jesus in the subsequent verses of [Mark 7:21-23](/mark/7-21-23 "Mark 7:21-23 - The Evils from Within"), where He lists specific evils that originate from within. This theme is foundational to understanding the need for spiritual regeneration.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Greek, _légō'_):** This primary verb means "to lay forth" or "relate in words," often implying a systematic or set discourse. Here, Jesus is not merely speaking casually but delivering a definitive, authoritative teaching that encapsulates a profound theological truth, challenging established norms.
* **cometh out of (Greek, _ekporeúomai'_):** This compound verb, formed from `ek` (out of) and `poreúomai` (to go, depart), signifies something proceeding, issuing forth, or being discharged. In this context, it emphasizes the origin of defilement as an internal outflow, not an external intake. It highlights the active emergence of something from within the person.
* **defileth (Greek, _koinóō'_):** Derived from `koinós` (common, profane, unclean), this verb means "to make (or consider) profane" or "ceremonially unclean." Jesus' revolutionary use of this term here recontextualizes "defilement" from a ritualistic, external state to a moral and spiritual impurity that renders a person truly "common" or separated from God's holiness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said,"**: This opening phrase establishes Jesus as the speaker, emphasizing the authority and significance of the declaration that follows. It links this statement directly to His preceding discourse with the Pharisees and His call for the crowd to understand.
* **"That which cometh out of the man,"**: This clause points to the origin of true defilement. The phrase "out of the man" (`ek tou anthrōpou`) explicitly indicates an internal source, contrasting sharply with the external sources of defilement (like food or unwashed hands) that the Pharisees were concerned with. It refers to the inner life, thoughts, desires, and intentions.
* **"that defileth the man."**: This concluding clause states the consequence of what "comes out of the man." The verb "defileth" (koinóō) signifies making someone ritually or morally impure. Jesus asserts that it is these internal issues, not external ones, that truly render a person unclean in God's sight, impacting their spiritual standing and relationship with Him.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 7:20 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, as Jesus directly contrasts two opposing ideas: what goes *into* a person (implied from the preceding discussion about food and hands) versus what comes *out* of a person. This stark opposition highlights the radical nature of His teaching, overturning traditional Jewish understanding of purity. There is also a strong element of **Didacticism**, as Jesus is explicitly teaching a fundamental truth about human nature and spiritual defilement. The verse functions as a concise maxim, making it memorable and impactful. Furthermore, the statement uses **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche** by referring to "the man" as a representation of humanity, implying that this truth applies universally to all people, not just those under specific Jewish ceremonial laws. The simplicity and directness of the language contribute to its **Aphoristic** quality, delivering a deep spiritual truth in a concise, memorable form.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 7:20 represents a watershed moment in biblical theology, shifting the paradigm of purity from external ritual to internal moral condition. Jesus' declaration that defilement originates from within the human heart fundamentally challenges the superficiality of legalistic religion and points to God's ultimate concern for genuine righteousness. This teaching underscores the pervasive nature of sin, locating its source not in external contaminants but in the fallen human will and its desires. It lays the groundwork for understanding the need for a transformed heart, a theme central to the New Covenant, where true worship is in spirit and truth, and God's law is written on the heart. This redefinition of defilement is crucial for comprehending the depth of human sinfulness and the radical nature of God's grace.

* [Matthew 15:18-20](/matthew/15-18-20 "Matthew 15:18-20 - What Comes Out of the Mouth")
* [Luke 6:45](/luke/6-45 "Luke 6:45 - For Out of the Abundance of the Heart")
* [Jeremiah 17:9](/jeremiah/17-9 "Jeremiah 17:9 - The Deceitful Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 7:20 calls us to a profound and often uncomfortable self-examination. In a world that frequently prioritizes outward appearances, social media profiles, and external achievements, Jesus redirects our gaze to the true wellspring of our being: the heart. This verse challenges us to move beyond superficial religious practices or moralistic efforts and confront the inner landscape of our desires, thoughts, and intentions. True spiritual health and purity are not achieved by adhering to a list of external rules or avoiding certain foods, but by cultivating a heart that is transformed by God's Spirit. This requires honest introspection, confession of inner sin, and a continual reliance on Christ for cleansing and renewal. It reminds us that genuine holiness is an inside-out work, echoing the wisdom that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks and the life flows. Our actions are merely symptoms; the heart is the root. Therefore, our primary spiritual battle is fought within, seeking alignment with God's will in our innermost being.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What external practices or appearances do I sometimes rely on to define my spiritual purity, rather than examining my heart?**
* **In what ways do my thoughts, desires, or intentions (what "comes out of me") reveal areas of defilement that need God's transforming grace?**
* **How does understanding that true defilement comes from within change my approach to personal holiness and my interactions with others?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a heart that is more aligned with God's will, rather than being a source of impurity?**

### FAQ

**What exactly does Jesus mean by "that which cometh out of the man"?**

Answer: By "that which cometh out of the man," Jesus is referring to the internal moral and spiritual state of a person, which then manifests in their words and actions. In the verses immediately following [Mark 7:20](/mark/7-20 "Mark 7:20 - What Defiles a Man"), Jesus provides a detailed list of what He means: "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man" ([Mark 7:21-23](/mark/7-21-23 "Mark 7:21-23 - The List of Evils from the Heart")). This clarifies that He is speaking of sinful desires, intentions, and the resulting behaviors that originate from a fallen human heart, not external dietary or ceremonial issues.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 7:20, with its radical redefinition of defilement, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. If defilement truly originates from the human heart, then humanity's deepest need is for a new heart, one cleansed and transformed. The Old Covenant system, with its external rituals and sacrifices, could only temporarily cover sin and point to the need for a more profound cleansing. Jesus, as the perfect Lamb of God, does not merely address external impurities but offers a complete internal purification. His sacrifice on the cross cleanses us from all unrighteousness, not just from ceremonial defilement, but from the very root of sin in our hearts (see [Hebrews 9:13-14](/hebrews/9-13-14 "Hebrews 9:13-14 - Christ's Blood Cleanses Conscience")). Furthermore, through the Holy Spirit, Christ indwells believers, empowering them to live from a new heart, where God's laws are written (as promised in [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")) and where righteousness can truly flow from within. Thus, Jesus' teaching in [Mark 7:20](/mark/7-20 "Mark 7:20 - What Defiles a Man") not only exposes the depth of human sin but also magnifies the necessity and efficacy of His redemptive work, which provides the only true and lasting solution to the problem of a defiled heart. He is the one who makes all things new, including our inner being (see [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")).

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

James 3:6

And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

James 4:1

¶ From whence [come] wars and fightings among you? [come they] not hence, [even] of your lusts that war in your members?

James 1:14

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

James 1:15

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

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.

Matthew 12:37

For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Mark 7:15

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.