Mark 7:23

All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

All {G3956} these {G5023} evil things {G4190} come {G1607} from within {G2081}, and {G2532} defile {G2840} the man {G444}.

All these wicked things come from within, and they make a person unclean."

All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.”

all these evil things proceed from within, and defile the man.

Mark 7:23 (KJV) concludes Jesus' powerful discourse on the true source of defilement, delivering a profound spiritual truth that cuts through superficial religious practices.

Context of Mark 7:23

This verse serves as the summary statement following Jesus' direct challenge to the Pharisees and scribes regarding their emphasis on external traditions, particularly ceremonial handwashing, over the commandments of God. In the preceding verses (Mark 7:14-22), Jesus explains that nothing outside a person can defile them; rather, defilement comes from within. He then lists a comprehensive catalog of evils originating from the heart: evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. Verse 23 encapsulates this entire teaching, asserting that these internal corruptions are what truly make a person unclean in God's sight.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Heart as the Source of Sin: The central message is that sin and defilement do not come from external rituals or contact with "unclean" things, but from the inner core of human nature. This challenges the prevailing religious thought of the day, which often focused on outward conformity.
  • True Purity vs. Externalism: Jesus distinguishes between ceremonial purity, which was a major concern for the Jewish religious leaders, and genuine moral purity. He emphasizes that God looks at the heart, not just outward appearances or adherence to man-made traditions. This theme is echoed throughout scripture, such as in 1 Samuel 16:7.
  • The Universality of Sin: By listing a broad range of "evil things," Jesus highlights the pervasive nature of sin originating from within every individual. This aligns with the biblical teaching that "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

Linguistic Insights

The key Greek word for "defile" is koinōi (from koinos), meaning "common" or "unclean." In this context, it refers to making something ritually or morally impure. Jesus uses this term to contrast the Pharisees' understanding of ceremonial impurity with the true moral impurity that stems from the heart. The phrase "from within" (Greek: esōthen) strongly emphasizes the internal origin of these evil things, pointing to the deep-seated nature of human sinfulness.

Practical Application

Mark 7:23 calls believers to a profound self-examination. It shifts our focus from merely observing external religious practices to scrutinizing our inner motives, thoughts, and desires. True spiritual growth and purity begin with acknowledging the sinfulness of the heart and seeking God's transformative power. This verse reminds us that a renewed heart, as promised in passages like Ezekiel 36:26, is essential for living a life pleasing to God. It encourages us to pray for a clean heart and a right spirit, understanding that outward actions are merely symptoms of an inner condition.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:17

    If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which [temple] ye are.

  • 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.

  • Mark 7:18

    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;

  • Jude 1:8

    ¶ Likewise also these [filthy] dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
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