Mark 7 23

Mark 7:23 kjv

All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Mark 7:23 nkjv

All these evil things come from within and defile a man."

Mark 7:23 niv

All these evils come from inside and defile a person."

Mark 7:23 esv

All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."

Mark 7:23 nlt

All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you."

Mark 7 verses

Mark 7 23 Meaning

Mark 7:23 summarizes Jesus’ profound teaching on defilement. It declares that moral uncleanness originates from within a person’s heart, not from external factors like food or unwashed hands. The "evil things" Jesus listed previously (v. 21-22), such as sexual immorality, theft, murder, covetousness, deceit, slander, pride, and folly, are the true sources of defilement, rendering a person impure in God’s sight. This statement radically redefined purity, shifting the focus from ceremonial adherence to inward moral condition.

Mark 7 23 Context

Mark 7:23 serves as the summary statement and punchline to Jesus’ discourse on ritual purity versus moral defilement, following an interaction with the Pharisees and some scribes (Mark 7:1-5). They questioned why Jesus’ disciples did not adhere to the Jewish tradition of ceremonially washing their hands before eating, suggesting defilement by omission of the tradition. Jesus responded by accusing them of prioritizing human traditions over God’s commandments (Mark 7:6-13), particularly by negating the command to honor parents through a loophole known as "Corban." He then called the crowd and explained that defilement does not come from what enters a person from outside (like food), but from what originates from within (Mark 7:14-15). In Mark 7:17-19, He further elaborated to His disciples in private, distinguishing between food's digestive process and the spiritual nature of true defilement. Mark 7:21-22 lists specific "evil thoughts" and actions that stem from the heart, making Mark 7:23 the conclusive and impactful synthesis of this teaching. Historically and culturally, this teaching was radical, directly challenging the prevailing religious system that heavily emphasized outward conformity to ceremonial laws and traditions for perceived righteousness and purity. Jesus’ teaching fundamentally shifts the understanding of sin and purity from the external and ritualistic to the internal and moral, underscoring the spiritual reality of human corruption and the need for a heart transformation.

Mark 7 23 Word analysis

• All these: Greek `tauta panta` (ταῦτα πάντα). This phrase is a definitive summary, pointing back directly to the exhaustive list of moral vices enumerated by Jesus in Mark 7:21-22. It signifies that the comprehensive range of internal evils, from lust to folly, are collectively the true source of impurity.
• evil things: Greek `ponēra` (πονηρά), which are wicked, morally corrupt, or base. This word is specifically chosen to describe actions and thoughts that are inherently contrary to God’s nature and commands, rather than ritually unclean things. These are sins originating from a malevolent disposition of the heart.
• come from within: Greek `esōthen ekporeuetai` (ἔσωθεν ἐκπορεύεται). This is the pivotal theological point of the verse. `Esōthen` means "from inside" or "from the heart," directly opposing the idea that external substances or lack of external rituals defile. `Ekporeuetai` means "to go out" or "to proceed forth," emphasizing the active origination and emanation of these evil things from the inner being. It denotes that the locus of spiritual corruption is the heart, the seat of intellect, will, and emotion.
• and defile: Greek `koinoi` (κοινοῖ). This verb means "to make common," "to make unclean," or "to pollute." In Jewish ritualistic terms, `koinos` refers to something profaned or rendered unfit for sacred use due to contact with something ritually impure. Jesus repurposes this term to describe true spiritual defilement that occurs when the "evil things" emerge from the heart, indicating a state of moral corruption that separates one from God's holiness. It implies rendering a person spiritually stained or morally corrupt, not merely ritually invalid.
• a person: Greek `anthrōpon` (ἄνθρωπον). This refers to any human being, making the teaching universally applicable to all people regardless of their religious background or adherence to specific traditions. It underscores that this inner moral defilement is a universal human problem stemming from the fallen nature of humanity, impacting everyone.

• "All these evil things": This collective phrase consolidates the specific immoral behaviors (theft, murder, adultery, etc.) Jesus listed previously. It emphasizes that these comprehensive moral failings, rather than superficial ritual oversights, are the substances of true human corruption. They represent the active outworking of a depraved inner nature.
• "come from within and defile": This grouping highlights the revolutionary insight that moral defilement is an internal process, originating from the human heart's inherent corruption (`from within`). The consequence of these internal evils is genuine defilement (`defile`), impacting a person's spiritual standing before God, making them truly impure irrespective of external appearances or actions. The directionality of the defilement (from inside out) is crucial to Jesus' argument against the prevailing legalism of his day.

Mark 7 23 Bonus section

This teaching from Mark 7 has significant theological implications, directly foreshadowing the New Covenant emphasis on inward transformation. Jesus' pronouncement signifies the abolition of certain Old Testament ceremonial food laws by declaring all foods "clean" (Mark 7:19), though the primary point is on moral purity. It underscores the severity of indwelling sin, locating it not just in external acts but in the very core of one's being, emphasizing total depravity. This perspective necessitated a radical divine intervention for humanity's cleansing—a new heart and spirit (as prophesied in Eze 36:26-27). For the believer, this means genuine Christian living is not about outward ritual performance but a continuous process of allowing the Holy Spirit to transform the inner person, battling the evil thoughts and desires that still arise from the remnants of the fallen nature. It is a constant call to guard one's heart (Prov 4:23) and seek inner purification through Christ.

Mark 7 23 Commentary

Mark 7:23 provides a succinct and profound conclusion to Jesus' teaching on true defilement, overturning the prevailing religious understanding of His time. While the religious leaders focused on external conformity and ceremonial purity as defined by human tradition, Jesus penetrates to the core of the human condition. He declares unequivocally that actual impurity, which renders a person morally unclean in God's eyes, stems entirely from the corrupt intentions and desires residing within the human heart. The specific "evil things" Jesus enumerates in the preceding verses are not external contaminants but outward manifestations of an internal spiritual illness. This verse is a powerful declaration that God is concerned not merely with outward acts or adherence to rules, but with the inner moral state. It dismantles legalism by asserting that simply following outward ordinances cannot cleanse a heart full of sin. True defilement is a moral and spiritual sickness, demonstrating humanity's need for radical inner transformation, which only God can provide. It challenges all to look beyond appearances and examine the true nature of their hearts.