Mark 7:15

Verse

Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him; but the things that come out of a man, these are what defile him.”

American Standard Version (1901)

there is nothing from without the man, that going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man.

Bible in Basic English

There is nothing outside the man which, going into him, is able to make him unclean: but the things which come out of the man are those which make the man unclean.

Free Bible Version

It's not what's on the outside and goes into you that makes you unclean. It's what comes out that makes you unclean.”

Geneva Bible 1599

There is nothing without a man, that can defile him, when it entreth into him: but the things which proceede out of him, are they which defile the man.

King James (Authorized) Version

There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

One Unity Resource Bible

There is nothing from outside of the man, that going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man.

Plain English Version

It’s not the things you eat that make you no good. Don’t worry about what goes into you, but worry about what comes out of you. It’s the things that come out of you that make you no good.”

Translation for Translators

Nothing that people eat causes God to consider them to be unacceptable. On the contrary, it is that which comes from people’s ◄inner beings/hearts► that causes God to reject them.”

Unlocked Literal Bible

There is nothing from outside of a person that can defile him when it enters into him. It is what comes out of the person that defiles him.”

Noah Webster Bible

There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him, can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

World English Bible

There is nothing from outside of the man that going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man.

Young's Literal Translation

there is nothing from without the man entering into him that is able to defile him, but the things coming out from him, those are the things defiling the man.

Context

What Defiles a Man

¹⁴Once again Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, “All of you, listen to Me and understand: ¹⁵Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him; but the things that come out of a man, these are what defile him.”

Summary

In Mark 7:15, Jesus teaches that it is not external factors such as food or traditions that defile a person, but rather what comes from within the heart. This verse emphasizes the importance of inner purity and righteousness over outward rituals or customs. Jesus' words challenge His listeners to focus on their thoughts, intentions, and attitudes, highlighting the need for spiritual transformation and genuine faith. By addressing the root of defilement, Jesus calls for a deeper level of personal accountability and relationship with God.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

There is nothing from without a man,.... As any sort of food and drink, whether it be received, with, or without washing of the hands: that entering into him can defile him; in a moral sense, or render him loathsome and unacceptable in the sight of God: but the things which come out of him; the Arabic: version reads, "out of the mouth of man", as in Mat 15:11, for the things are, all sinful words which proceed from the imaginations and lusts of the heart; as all idle, unchaste, blasphemous, and wrathful words and expressions: and may include evil thoughts, words, and actions; which actions first in thought, take their rise from the corrupt heart of man; and in word, come out of the mouth; and in action, are performed by some one or other of the members of the body: these are they that defile the man: his mind and conscience, the faculties of his soul, and the members of his body; and render him abominable in the sight of God, and expose him to his wrath and displeasure; See Gill on Mat 15:11. The sense of the whole is, that not what a man eats and drinks, and in whatsoever way he does either, though he may eat and drink with unwashen hands, or out of cups, pots, and platters, not properly washed, according to the traditions of the elders, renders him a polluted sinful man, in the sight of God; or such as one, whose company and conversation are to be, avoided by good men; but that it is sin in the heart, and what proceeds from it; as all evil thoughts, wicked words, and impure actions; which denominate a man filthy and unclean, and expose him to the abhorrence of God, and of his people: the words may be rendered, "there is nothing from without a man, can make him common"; that is, as a plebeian, a vulgar common man, a sinful wicked man, as the common people were, or at least were so esteemed by the Pharisees; nothing that he took into his body, by eating or drinking, could put him into the class of such persons: "but the things which come out of him"; out of his heart, by his lips: "those are they that make a man common"; or a vulgar wicked man. The Ethiopic version renders it, "it is not what enters from without into the mouth of man, which can defile him; but only what goes out of the heart man, this defiles the man": the Persic version adds, "and is the sin of death"; or sin unto death, a deadly, mortal sin.