Mark 7 22

Mark 7:22 kjv

Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

Mark 7:22 nkjv

thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.

Mark 7:22 niv

adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.

Mark 7:22 esv

coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.

Mark 7:22 nlt

adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.

Mark 7 verses

Mark 7 22 Meaning

Mark 7:22 continues Jesus' teaching on the true source of defilement. Having declared that what comes out of a person defiles them, this verse specifies further examples of the moral corruptions that originate from the unregenerate human heart. It highlights a range of grave internal vices—dishonesty, greed, malicious intent, deception, unrestrained lust, envy, abusive speech, arrogance, and moral foolishness—which collectively demonstrate the profound internal defilement of humanity in God's eyes, irrespective of external religious observances.

Mark 7 22 Context

Mark chapter 7 records Jesus' pivotal teaching on ritual defilement. The passage begins with Pharisees and scribes challenging Jesus and His disciples for not observing the traditional ceremonial hand-washing before eating, a custom central to their oral law. Jesus responds by accusing them of nullifying God's commandment for the sake of their tradition (Mark 7:6-13). He then calls the crowd to listen and understand that defilement does not come from what enters a person from outside (like food), but from what comes out of them, originating from the heart (Mark 7:14-15). When His disciples struggle to grasp this, Jesus explains in private that all things that enter from outside do not defile a person, because they pass through the body and are expelled (Mark 7:18-19). Mark 7:21-23 then provides an extensive list of the true sources of defilement—the array of evil thoughts and behaviors that spring directly from the depraved human heart. Mark 7:22 expands on this list, continuing the detailed catalog of internal moral failures, underscoring Jesus' radical shift from external ritual purity to internal moral purity as the criterion for true defilement before God.

Mark 7 22 Word analysis

• Thefts (κλοπαί - klopai): Derived from klepto meaning "to steal." This signifies acts of stealing or dishonesty, violating others' property rights. In biblical thought, this is not just illegal but morally reprehensible (Exod 20:15) and contrary to love (Rom 13:9).
• Covetousness (πλεονεξίαι - pleonexiai): Plural of pleonexia. It means "the desire for more" or "an insatiable greed." It's an excessive craving for wealth or possessions, often involving the desire for what belongs to another. This vice is deeply rooted in idolatry, where material things replace God as the ultimate object of desire (Col 3:5; Eph 5:5).
• Wickedness (πονηρίαι - ponēriai): Plural of ponēria. This term denotes general depravity, malice, mischievousness, or ill-will. It represents an active desire or intent to cause harm or wrongdoing, encompassing a wide range of evil acts driven by a corrupt disposition.
• Deceit (δόλος - dolos): Refers to trickery, guile, or fraud. It's the intent to mislead or manipulate others through dishonest means. It reflects a heart that lacks integrity and uses cunning for self-gain or to harm.
• Sensuality (ἀσέλγεια - aselgeia): Unbridled lust, licentiousness, debauchery, or shamelessness. This word often implies conduct that is outrageous, indecent, and lacking in any moral restraint or regard for public opinion. It frequently appears in lists of sexual sins, though its scope can be broader, indicating a blatant disregard for ethical boundaries.
• Envy (ὀφθαλμὸς πονηρός - ophthalmos ponēros, literally "evil eye"): This phrase in Greek, especially in Jewish and ancient Near Eastern contexts, goes beyond mere jealousy. It signifies a grudging or stingy spirit, malevolence, avarice, and a general ill-will towards others' prosperity, or the refusal to share generously what one possesses. It speaks of a hostile, resentful disposition towards someone else's good fortune, often implying active harm or deprivation wishing them ill.
• Slander (βλασφημία - blasphemia): This word means abusive speech, vilification, or defamation. While it can refer to blasphemy against God, in this context, it generally signifies malicious or disrespectful speech aimed at harming the reputation of others or reviling them.
• Pride (ὑπερηφανία - hyperephania): Arrogance, haughtiness, conceit, or disdain. It's an inflated sense of self-importance that leads to contempt for others and defiance of God. This is the root of many sins, fostering self-reliance over divine dependence.
• Foolishness (ἀφροσύνη - aphrosynē): Moral and spiritual folly or imprudence. It implies a lack of understanding or spiritual perception regarding God's will and wisdom, leading to morally misguided actions and a life lived apart from divine truth. It's not intellectual deficiency but a spiritual heedlessness that results in morally unsound choices.

• Words-group Analysis (connecting to 7:21): The preceding verse, Mark 7:21, states, "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries..." Together with verse 22, this comprehensive list underscores Jesus' central point that true defilement is internal, originating from the "heart" (καρδία - kardia)—the center of a person's will, intellect, and moral character. This continuous flow of negative traits demonstrates the depth of human corruption, confirming that no external ritual or diet can address the fundamental problem of a sin-sick human spirit. These acts are not merely random behaviors but consequences of a deeper, internal disposition.

Mark 7 22 Bonus section

This list of vices, along with the one in Mark 7:21, offers a powerful antithesis to the "fruit of the Spirit" as described in Galatians 5:22-23 (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control). While Jesus lists what comes from the fallen heart, Paul lists what the Holy Spirit produces in the redeemed heart. The very inclusion of such a detailed and diverse list by Jesus reveals the pervasive nature of sin as originating from the core of human existence. It's not just a few "bad apples" but a systematic issue with humanity's inner being, necessitating divine intervention and a "new heart" (Ezek 36:26) rather than superficial religious reforms. The "evil eye" (ὀφθαλμὸς πονηρός) in particular is a rich biblical concept emphasizing that a malicious spirit manifests not just in direct action but in one's very outlook and disposition towards others' well-being.

Mark 7 22 Commentary

Mark 7:22 provides a vivid and extensive catalog of moral corruptions that expose the inner defilement of the human heart, further elaborating on Jesus' radical teaching that spiritual impurity originates from within, not from external sources or traditional rituals. Jesus moves the discussion from mere ceremonial violations to deeply ingrained vices that corrupt a person's entire being. The range of sins—from blatant dishonesty and insatiable greed to subtle malevolence and overt arrogance—demonstrates that no aspect of human nature or behavior is untouched by the defilement stemming from an unregenerate heart. This challenges not only the Pharisees' emphasis on outward piety but also highlights the universal human condition apart from divine grace. True purity, Jesus implies, requires a transformation of the heart itself, addressing these deep-seated evils at their source rather than merely observing external cleanliness or rituals. For instance, addressing "covetousness" involves contentment rather than pursuing endless accumulation; confronting "sensuality" requires moral discipline over indulgent passions; and overcoming "pride" demands humility before God and others.