Devine Scripture

Mark 7:15

What does Mark 7:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 7:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 7:15 means

Jesus declares a startling principle: nothing external entering a person can defile them; rather, what comes out of a person defiles them. He corrects the assumption that physical things or ritual impurities make someone unclean. Instead, moral and spiritual corruption originate within the human heart and manifest outwardly in words and deeds. This teaching reorients purity away from external ritual to ethical and spiritual realities, challenging the prevailing religious emphasis on observable practices.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

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.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

There is nothing from outside a man entering into him which can defile him; but the things which go out from him, those it is which defile the man.

Context

This verse is the theological heart of the chapter, summarizing Jesus’ refutation of the Pharisees’ focus on ritual washings. It follows his public rebuke and prepares for further dialogue with his disciples, who will need clarification about what he means. The chapter will then move to a private explanation and to the practical effects of inner corruption.

v.14And he called to him the multitude again, and said unto them, Hear me all of you, and understand:

v.15This passage

v.16

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 11:8

    But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath ever entered into my mouth.

  • Hebrews 13:9

    Be not carried away by divers and strange teachings: for it is good that the heart be established by grace; not by meats, wherein they that occupied themselves were not profited.

  • 1 Timothy 4:3

    forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:25

    Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, eat, asking no question for conscience’ sake;

  • Proverbs 4:23

    Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.

  • Matthew 15:16

    And he said, Are ye also even yet without understanding?

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