Devine Scripture

Mark 7:21

What does Mark 7:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 7:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 7:21 means

Jesus begins to list inward sources of moral pollution: from the heart come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, thefts, murders, and adulteries. The list reveals that serious moral failures are rooted in inner motives and desires. By naming these sins, Jesus connects heart orientation with the outward acts that harm others and break covenant faithfulness. The point is pastoral and ethical: moral reform must engage the inner life where such inclinations originate.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For from within, out of the heart of men, evil thoughts proceed, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For from within, out of the heart of men, evil thoughts proceed, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Because from inside, from the heart of men, come evil thoughts and unclean pleasures,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for from within, out of the heart of men, the evil reasonings do come forth, adulteries, whoredoms, murders,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For from within, out of the heart of men, go forth evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

Context

This verse launches a catalogue of sins to illustrate the principle that inner realities defile. It follows the general statement about what defiles and prepares readers for a fuller inventory of character defects. The sequence will culminate in Jesus’ final summary in verse 23.

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

v.21This passage

v.22covetings, wickednesses, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, railing, pride, foolishness:

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 15:19

    For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, railings:

  • Proverbs 4:23

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

  • Proverbs 15:25

    Jehovah will root up the house of the proud; But he will establish the border of the widow.

  • Job 14:4

    Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.

  • Psalms 58:2

    Nay, in heart ye work wickedness; Ye weigh out the violence of your hands in the earth.

  • Galatians 5:19

    Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

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