Devine Scripture

Mark 7:19

What does Mark 7:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 7:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 7:19 means

Jesus gives a practical physiological point: food enters the stomach and passes through the body, not into the heart, and therefore doesn’t morally defile a person. By saying this, he declares all foods clean. The point is both literal and theological: the bodily process removes the idea that dietary intake can render the soul impure. His statement challenges religious dietary restrictions as morally decisive and reorients purity toward inner moral realities rather than ritual food laws.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

because it goeth not into his heart, but into his belly, and goeth out into the draught? This he said, making all meats clean.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

because it goeth not into his heart, but into his belly, and goeth out into the draught? This he said, making all meats clean.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Because it goes not into the heart but into the stomach, and goes out with the waste? He said this, making all food clean.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

because it doth not enter into his heart, but into the belly, and into the drain it doth go out, purifying all the meats.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Because it entereth not into his heart but goeth into his belly and goeth out into the privy, purging all meats?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

because it does not enter into his heart but into his belly, and goes out into the draught, purging all meats?

Context

This verse completes the disciples’ lesson about external things, and it is the decisive statement about dietary laws—‘making all meats clean.’ It flows from the earlier public vs private teaching and leads directly to the next affirmation: what proceeds from within a person is the true source of defilement.

v.18And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Perceive ye not, that whatsoever from without goeth into the man, it cannot defile him;

v.19This passage

v.20And he said, That which proceedeth out of the man, that defileth the man.

Cross references

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

  • Colossians 2:16

    Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a sabbath day:

  • Acts 10:15

    And a voice came unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common.

  • Luke 11:41

    But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, all things are clean unto you.

  • Colossians 2:21

    Handle not, nor taste, nor touch

  • Acts 11:9

    But a voice answered the second time out of heaven, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common.

  • Matthew 15:17

    Perceive ye not, that whatsoever goeth into the mouth passeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

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