ἔξωθεν (exōthen)

The adverb exōthen conveys a sense of origin or location "from without" or "from outside." It functions as the counterpart to words meaning "within," creating a clear spatial and often moral distinction between what is internal and what lies beyond. In the Gospels, Jesus uses this term to critique religious hypocrisy, pointing out that one can appear clean on the outside while being corrupt inside (Matthew 23:27-28). This usage highlights a disconnect between outward appearance and inner reality.

Its root connects to exō ("outside"), giving it a directional force of coming from an external source. The word appears in contexts ranging from physical locations, such as casting something out into the open field (Revelation 11:2), to describing people who are outside a group or community. In Mark 7:18, it emphasizes that defilement comes from within a person, not from external sources like food entering the body. This distinction allows the text to separate ritual purity concerns from deeper ethical issues.

Translators typically render exōthen as "from outside," "outwardly," or simply "outside." Its presence in Revelation and the Synoptic Gospels underscores themes of separation and judgment. By focusing on the external, the word often serves to redirect attention toward the internal condition of the heart or the true source of spiritual life.