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;

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};

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?

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

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

In Mark 7:18, Jesus directly challenges His disciples' comprehension, building upon His earlier teaching to the crowd regarding true purity. This verse marks a pivotal moment where Jesus clarifies that defilement does not come from external sources like food or unwashed hands, but from the spiritual condition of a person's heart.

Context

This statement follows an intense discussion between Jesus and the Pharisees and scribes, who criticized His disciples for not observing the traditional washing rituals before eating (Mark 7:1-5). Jesus then publicly declared that nothing entering a person from the outside can defile them (Mark 7:15). The disciples, apparently still puzzled, sought further clarification, prompting Jesus' rhetorical question in this verse, highlighting their slow grasp of this profound spiritual truth about true defilement.

Key Themes

  • Redefining Purity: Jesus radically shifts the focus from external, ceremonial laws to internal, moral purity. He dismantles the notion that dietary restrictions or ritualistic washings are the ultimate determinants of one's standing before God. This was a revolutionary concept for His audience, accustomed to the traditions of the elders.
  • The Source of Defilement: The core message is that true defilement originates from within a person, from the heart, where evil thoughts and intentions reside. This concept is further elaborated in Mark 7:21-23, listing various sins that proceed from the heart.
  • Spiritual Understanding: Jesus' question, "Are ye so without understanding also?", underscores the disciples' difficulty in moving beyond conventional religious thought to grasp the deeper spiritual realities He was teaching. It serves as a call for greater discernment and a deeper understanding of God's will.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "defile" here is koinoō (κοινόω), meaning "to make common," "to make unclean," or "to profane." It’s distinct from ritual impurity under the Mosaic Law, as Jesus is speaking of a moral and spiritual uncleanness that affects one's relationship with God. His use of "without understanding" (ἀσύνετος - asynetos) emphasizes a lack of comprehension or intelligence regarding spiritual matters, rather than mere factual ignorance, highlighting the need for true spiritual insight.

Practical Application

For believers today, Mark 7:18 serves as a crucial reminder that Christian living is not primarily about external rules and rituals, but about the condition of the heart. It challenges us to:

  • Examine Our Hearts: True holiness begins inwardly. We should regularly assess our motives, thoughts, and desires, as these are the true sources of defilement or purity (Proverbs 4:23).
  • Prioritize Spiritual Over Superficial: This teaching liberates believers from a legalistic focus on outward observances, redirecting attention to cultivating a pure and righteous heart before God. It helps us avoid the pitfalls of religious traditions that might obscure genuine spiritual transformation.
  • Seek Deeper Understanding: Like the disciples, we are called to move beyond superficial interpretations and seek a deeper, Spirit-led understanding of God's truth, especially concerning matters of righteousness and defilement. The apostle Paul also reinforces this concept regarding food and conscience in Romans 14:14, emphasizing that true defilement comes from a defiled conscience, not merely from what is eaten.
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Cross-References

  • Matthew 15:16 (8 votes)

    And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?

  • Matthew 15:17 (8 votes)

    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 (6 votes)

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

  • Matthew 16:11 (5 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

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

  • Isaiah 28:9 (5 votes)

    ¶ 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 (5 votes)

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