Mark 7:15

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.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus addresses a gathered crowd, reiterating a teaching after previously calling them forward to listen and understand. He speaks directly to them about the nature of purity and defilement.

The words — The Greek οὐδὲν (ouden) means "no thing" and ἔξωθεν (exōthen) means "from outside," anchoring the verse's claim that external inputs lack inherent corrupting power.

The thread — This theme of internal origin versus external form echoes Proverbs 4:23 on the heart as a source, Leviticus 11:42 on dietary boundaries, and Titus 1:15 on the pure versus the defiled mind.

Why it lands — The text demands a reader to stop judging spiritual condition by outward consumption or ritual contact and instead examine the internal source of moral output.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James 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.

Cross-references

Proverbs 4:23 Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.
Leviticus 11:42 Do not eat any creature that moves along the ground, whether it crawls on its belly or walks on four or more feet; for such creatures are detestable.
Titus 1:15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure. Indeed, both their minds and their consciences are defiled.
Matthew 12:34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
Hebrews 13:9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace and not by foods of no value to those devoted to them.
Mark 7:18 “Are you still so dull?” He asked. “Do you not understand? Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him,
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 9:10 They consist only in food and drink and special washings—external regulations imposed until the time of reform.
1 Corinthians 10:25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,
Matthew 15:16 “Do you still not understand?” Jesus asked.