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.
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}.
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!"
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.”
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.
Cross-References
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Proverbs 4:23 (11 votes)
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life. -
Leviticus 11:42 (8 votes)
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 (8 votes)
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 (7 votes)
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 (5 votes)
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 (5 votes)
[Which stood] only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed [on them] until the time of reformation. -
Matthew 12:34 (5 votes)
O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Commentary
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.›Context
This verse is part of Jesus' response to the Pharisees and scribes who criticized His disciples for eating with "unwashen hands" (Mark 7:2), violating their traditional ritual cleanliness laws. The Jewish leaders had developed elaborate rules about washing and dietary practices based on interpretations of the Old Testament Law, believing that external contact could defile a person. Jesus is challenging this external focus.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insight
The Greek words highlight the contrast: οὐδὲν ἔστιν ἔξωθεν (ouden estin exōthen - "nothing is from outside") entering into a man that can defile him, but τὰ ἐκπορευόμενα ἀπ' αὐτοῦ (ta ekporeuomena ap' autou - "the things going out from him") are what defile. The emphasis is on the origin point – external versus internal outflow.
Cross-Reference
Jesus elaborates on this principle immediately after in this chapter: Mark 7:20-23 lists the evil things that "come forth from within." See also the parallel account in Matthew 15:10-20.
Reflection
This verse is foundational to understanding Christian ethics. It teaches us that true righteousness and defilement originate in the heart. Our focus should not primarily be on outward appearances or adherence to man-made rules, but on the condition of our inner being, from which our words and actions flow.
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