Devine Scripture

Mark 7:22

What does Mark 7:22 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 7:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 7:22 means

The list continues with covetousness, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, an evil eye, railing, pride, and foolishness. These reflect social and personal vices—covetousness and pride, deception, lewdness, resentment and slander, and foolish moral judgment. Together they form a panorama of the heart’s corruption. Jesus shows that defilement is not a single act but a systemic set of attitudes and behaviors that poison relationships and worship, emphasizing the need for heart transformation, not merely external compliance.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

The taking of goods and of life, broken faith between husband and wife, the desire of wealth, wrongdoing, deceit, sins of the flesh, an evil eye, angry words, pride, foolish acts:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

thefts, covetous desires, wickedness, deceit, arrogance, an evil eye, evil speaking, pride, foolishness;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

thefts, covetousness, wickednesses, deceit, licentiousness, a wicked eye, injurious language, haughtiness, folly;

Context

Following the previous verse’s start of the list, this verse completes the catalogue of vices that issue from the heart. The sequence provides concrete examples that make Jesus’ abstract statement palpable. It prepares the final summation that these inner evils are what truly defile a person.

v.21For from within, out of the heart of men, evil thoughts proceed, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries,

v.22This passage

v.23all these evil things proceed from within, and defile the man.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Peter 2:15

    For so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

  • Deuteronomy 28:56

    The tender and delicate woman among you, who would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter,

  • Psalms 10:4

    The wicked, in the pride of his countenance, saith, He will not requireit. All his thoughts are, There is no God.

  • Obadiah 1:3

    The pride of thy heart hath deceived thee, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?

  • 2 Chronicles 32:25

    But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.

  • Proverbs 12:23

    A prudent man concealeth knowledge; But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

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