Mark 7:17-23 · Bible study
Mark 7:17-23 Commentary: Study: Jesus Redefines Defilement from the Heart
Greek · 8 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore why the disciples asked Jesus to explain his teaching on defilement, and the radical truth that real uncleanness comes from within.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Jesus redefines defilement: not external ritual violations but internal moral corruption that flows from the heart.
- Key words: ‘koinoō’ (defile, make common; vv.18,20,23); ‘kardia’ (heart, the source of evil; vv.19,21); ‘dialogismoi’ (reasonings/thoughts, often suspect; v.21).
- Main debate: Whether the parenthetical ‘making all foods clean’ (v.19) is Jesus’ own conclusion or Mark’s explanatory comment; also the order and number of the vice list.
- Theological theme: Inner purity versus external religion; the necessity of heart transformation over ceremonial observance.
- Best use: To counter legalism; to teach the universality of sin and the need for grace; to build a foundation for Christian liberty.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
17After Jesus had left the crowd and gone into the house, His disciples inquired about the parable.
18“Are you still so dull?” He asked. “Do you not understand? Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him,
19because it does not enter his heart, but it goes into the stomach and then is eliminated.” (Thus all foods are clean.)
20He continued: “What comes out of a man, that is what defiles him.
21For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,
22greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness.
23All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.”
WEB World English Bible 2000
17When he had entered into a house away from the multitude, his disciples asked him about the parable.
18He said to them, “Are you also without understanding? Don’t you perceive that whatever goes into the man from outside can’t defile him,
19because it doesn’t go into his heart, but into his stomach, then into the latrine, making all foods clean?”
20He said, “That which proceeds out of the man, that defiles the man.
21For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts,
22covetings, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness.
23All these evil things come from within and defile the man.”
KJV King James Version 1769
17And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.
18And 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;
19Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
20And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
21For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
22Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
23All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
17And when he was entered into the house from the multitude, his disciples asked of him the parable.
18And 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;
19because it goeth not into his heart, but into his belly, and goeth out into the draught? This he said, making all meats clean.
20And he said, That which proceedeth out of the man, that defileth the man.
21For from within, out of the heart of men, evil thoughts proceed, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries,
22covetings, wickednesses, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, railing, pride, foolishness:
23all these evil things proceed from within, and defile the man.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
17And when he entered into a house from the multitude, his disciples were questioning him about the simile,
18and he saith to them, `So also ye are without understanding! Do ye not perceive that nothing from without entering into the man is able to defile him?
19because it doth not enter into his heart, but into the belly, and into the drain it doth go out, purifying all the meats.'
20And he said--`That which is coming out from the man, that doth defile the man;
21for from within, out of the heart of men, the evil reasonings do come forth, adulteries, whoredoms, murders,
22thefts, covetous desires, wickedness, deceit, arrogance, an evil eye, evil speaking, pride, foolishness;
23all these evils do come forth from within, and they defile the man.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
17And when he went indoors from the crowd, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.
18And he says to them, Are ye also thus unintelligent? Do ye not perceive that all that is outside entering into the man cannot defile him,
19because it does not enter into his heart but into his belly, and goes out into the draught, purging all meats?
20And he said, That which goes forth out of the man, that defiles the man.
21For from within, out of the heart of men, go forth evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
22thefts, covetousness, wickednesses, deceit, licentiousness, a wicked eye, injurious language, haughtiness, folly;
23all these wicked things go forth from within and defile the man.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
17And when he was come into the house from the multitude, his disciples asked him the parable.
18And he saith to them: So are you also without knowledge? Understand you not that every thing from without entering into a man cannot defile him:
19Because it entereth not into his heart but goeth into his belly and goeth out into the privy, purging all meats?
20But he said that the things which come out from a man, they defile a man.
21For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
22Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.
23All these evil things come from within and defile a man.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Mark 7:17
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that in this house-scene Jesus overturns the entire framework of ritual purity. The disciples, still embedded in the traditions of the elders, regarded his public declaration, that what enters from outside cannot defile, as a 'parable' (a dark saying) needing private explanation (Cambridge Bible; Vincent). Jesus’ sharp rebuke, 'Are you also without understanding?' (v.18), underscores their failure to grasp the revolution he is announcing. Defilement (κοινόω, koinoō) is not a matter of food or hands; it flows from the heart (καρδία, kardia), the fountain of all moral evil. The list of vices in vv.21-22, as Vincent and the Cambridge Bible note, moves from plural nouns (dominant actions) to singular nouns (dispositions), showing sin’s progression from deeds to ingrained character. Every commentator, from Gill to Wesley, affirms the central truth: external religion cannot clean the inside; only a transformed heart can produce purity.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Disciples genuinely confused by radical teaching: The disciples were still attached to tradition (Mark 7:5-13) and needed private explanation, as with other parables (Mark 4:34).
- Disciples saw a 'riddle' needing interpretation: They called it a parable (meaning dark saying), not because it was obscure in itself but because it contradicted their established categories (Vincent, Cambridge).
- Jesus’ teaching abrogates the ceremonial law: The parenthetical comment 'making all foods clean' (v.19) is seen as a definitive declaration that the Mosaic food laws no longer apply (common in Protestant traditions). Catholics and Orthodox, while affirming the principle, maintain that the ceremonial law is fulfilled in Christ and its moral core remains.
What is clear: All Christians agree that Jesus teaches that true defilement comes from within, from the sinful human heart, and not from external things like food.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| The meaning of 'parable' in v.17 | All traditions recognize that the disciples used the word for a dark saying or riddle, not a narrative story. | Some argue the disciples’ confusion was due to ingrained tradition; others suggest they were genuinely puzzled because Jesus seemed to undercut God’s own Law. |
| The phrase 'making all foods clean' (v.19) | Christians agree that this clause declares that no food is inherently defiling. | Some see it as Jesus’ own conclusion (so the NIV, NRSV), others as Mark’s editorial explanation (so the ESV margin; Cambridge Bible implies it may be a parenthetical Markan comment). |
| The vice list: plural vs. singular forms | Commentators note that the first seven nouns are plural (dominant acts) and the last six singular (enduring dispositions). | Cambridge prefers a different order (fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries) based on some manuscripts, but this does not change the meaning. |
| The role of the heart in defilement | All agree the heart is the fountain of moral evil; Christianity has always taught that sin originates internally. | There is no significant debate on this point; the passage is clear. |
Historical & Cultural Context
This conversation takes place immediately after a public confrontation with Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem (Mark 7:1-13). They had criticized Jesus’ disciples for eating with unwashed hands, a violation of 'the tradition of the elders', an extensive body of oral regulations that had been added to the written Torah. The Pharisees regarded these traditions as necessary for maintaining holiness and national identity under Roman occupation. Jesus, however, denounced their priority on human rules as a way of nullifying God’s commandments (v.13).
Now, away from the crowd and inside a house, likely Peter’s home in Capernaum (Gill), the disciples ask for clarification. They call Jesus’ public saying a 'parable' not because it was a story, but because it seemed cryptic and shocking. Mark’s Gospel repeatedly shows Jesus explaining his teaching privately to his disciples (Mark 4:34); here they need help precisely because Jesus’ words threaten the very basis of the purity system they grew up with. The house setting is a place of protection and formation.
The historical pressure is high. Lange notes that this event occurs during a period of escalating opposition from Galilee and Judean religious authorities. Jesus is retreating from conflict, using the house to reshape his disciples’ understanding. The question they ask is not merely academic; it exposes their lingering attachment to human traditions and their difficulty receiving a teaching that would eventually free the Gentile mission (Acts 10). Understanding this cultural clash, where food, touch, and table fellowship defined holiness, makes Jesus’ radical statement all the more powerful.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no substantial variant that affects meaning. The most notable textual point concerns the order of vices in vv.21-22: the Cambridge Bible prefers the sequence 'fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, covetousnesses, wickednesses' based on some ancient manuscripts, while most English translations follow the text that begins with 'evil thoughts.' The variant does not alter the theological thrust. The phrase 'making all foods clean' (v.19) is textually stable, though its grammatical attachment is debated: it may be a nominative participle modifying 'draught' (as in AV) or an independent comment.
Reception History
This passage has been a cornerstone for Christian teaching on inner purity versus external observance. In the early church, it was used to argue that Gentile converts did not need to adopt Jewish food laws, a key issue at the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15). During the Reformation, it was invoked to challenge human traditions that claimed binding authority alongside Scripture. In modern preaching, it is often applied to address legalism and to emphasize the need for heart transformation. Across traditions, from Catholic moral theology to Protestant expository sermons, the central insight remains: what defiles a person is not what goes in but what comes out of the heart.
Preaching This Verse
Three-Point Outline
- The Disciples’ Confusion Exposes Our Own, They called Jesus’ straightforward declaration a 'parable' because their minds were still shaped by tradition. We too can read Scripture and miss its radical edge because of our preconceptions.
- Defilement is Never Outside-In, Jesus gives a physiological argument: food goes to the stomach, not the heart. The heart (the core of human will and desire) is the real source of evil. External observances cannot fix what is broken within.
- The List of Vices is a Mirror, From evil thoughts to pride to foolishness, these thirteen evils flow from within. They are not just bad actions but deep dispositions. The Gospel’s answer is not better rule-keeping but a new heart.
Five-Point Outline
- The moment of private instruction (v.17).
- Jesus’ rebuke: 'without understanding' (v.18a).
- The argument from digestion (vv.18b-19).
- The turn: what comes out defiles (v.20).
- The catalogue of the heart’s evils (vv.21-23).
Illustration Hooks
- The dishwasher story: You can wash the outside of a cup until it shines, but if the inside is stained with poison, the cup is still deadly. Religion that only polishes the exterior misses the real problem.
- The garden analogy: Pulling weeds is endless if you leave the roots. Jesus digs right to the root, the human heart, and says that is where the problem lies.
- The smartphone comparison: We worry about what we put into our bodies (diet, media, toxins) and neglect what comes out of our hearts (anger, lust, greed). Jesus flips the priority.
Questions Your Congregation Is Asking
- If foods are clean, why does the Old Testament law forbid certain foods? (The passage anticipates the full revelation that the ceremonial law pointed to a deeper spiritual principle.)
- Does this mean we can sin freely as long as we have 'good hearts'? (No, the list shows that real defilement is moral and requires repentance and transformation, not license.)
- How do I actually change my heart? This passage diagnoses the problem; the rest of the Gospel provides the cure: faith in Christ and the work of the Spirit.
Leading a Discussion
This passage pulls back the curtain on what people have always struggled with: the gap between outward religion and inward reality. The disciples needed a private explanation because Jesus’ words contradicted everything they thought they knew. As you discuss, notice your own assumptions about what makes someone 'clean' or 'unclean' before God.
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think the disciples called Jesus’ teaching a 'parable'? What did they find so difficult to understand?
- Jesus says, 'Are you also without understanding?' (v.18). Why does he express frustration? What does this say about the disciples’ formation?
- Trace the path of food in Jesus’ argument (vv.18-19). How does this physical process prove his point about defilement?
- The list of evils in vv.21-22 includes both actions (murder, theft) and inner attitudes (covetousness, pride). Why does Jesus include attitudes? What does this say about the nature of sin?
- Notice that the list ends with 'foolishness' (ἀφροσύνη). Wesley describes it as 'contrary to sobriety of thought.' Why is foolishness a serious moral problem?
- How does this passage challenge the way your church community defines 'holiness' or 'purity'? Are there traditions you hold that might obscure the heart issue?
- What is the most hopeful part of this passage for you? (Knowing that Jesus diagnoses the root problem opens the door for his solution: a new heart through faith.)
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Matthew 13:10 | The disciples came, and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” |
| Matthew 13:36 | Then Jesus sent the multitudes away, and went into the house. His disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the darnel weeds of the field.” |
| Matthew 15:15 | Peter answered him, “Explain the parable to us.” |
| Mark 4:10 | When he was alone, those who were around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. |
| Mark 4:34 | Without a parable he didn’t speak to them; but privately to his own disciples he explained everything. |
| Mark 9:28 | When he had come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we cast it out?” |
| Isaiah 28:9 | Whom will he teach knowledge? To whom will he explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts? |
| Isaiah 28:10 | For it is precept on precept, precept on precept; line on line, line on line; here a little, there a little. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
6 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The writer notes a structural pattern in this list of evils: the first seven are plural and describe outward actions, while the last six are singular and describe inner dispositions or habits of mind. This distinction helps readers see that sin flows from deep character, not just occasional missteps.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva notes stress that defilement is not a matter of external things entering the body, since those pass through and are eliminated. Real defilement comes from inside, from the corrupt heart, which produces evil thoughts, actions, and attitudes that truly make a person unclean.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill stresses that moral defilement springs from the corrupted heart within, not from anything external like food. He traces this inner pollution back to original sin inherited from Adam, arguing that evil thoughts and actions are not merely the result of imitation but flow from a nature already sinful and defiling the whole person.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange sees the gathering
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent notes that the words "purging all meats" in Mark 7:19 are not Christ's own statement but the Evangelist's explanatory comment. He points out that the Revised Version properly renders it as "making all meats clean," a reading supported by Chrysostom and significant for understanding Peter's later vision in Acts.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley defines wickedness as cruelty and ill nature, and foolishness as wild imaginations and extravagant passions — directly opposed to sober thought. His point is that these are not vague sins but specific, concrete vices.