The Heart of Man

14 After He called the crowd to Him again, He began saying to them, “Listen to Me, all of you, and understand: 15 there is nothing outside the person which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which come out of the person are what defile the person[a].”

17 And when He later entered a house, away from the crowd, (A)His disciples asked Him about the parable. 18 And He *said to them, “Are you so lacking in understanding as well? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the person from outside cannot defile him, 19 because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and [b]is eliminated?” (Thereby He declared (B)all foods (C)clean.) 20 And He was saying, (D)That which comes out of the person, that is what defiles the person. 21 For from within, out of the [c]hearts of people, come the evil thoughts, acts of sexual immorality, thefts, murders, acts of adultery, 22 deeds of greed, wickedness, deceit, indecent behavior, [d](E)envy, slander, [e]pride, and foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile the person.”

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 7:15 Late mss add, as v 16: If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.
  2. Mark 7:19 Lit goes out into the latrine
  3. Mark 7:21 heart
  4. Mark 7:22 Lit an evil eye
  5. Mark 7:22 Or arrogance

14 And he called to him the multitude again, and said unto them, Hear me all of you, and understand: 15 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.[a] 17 And when he was entered into the house from the multitude, his disciples asked of him the parable. 18 And 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; 19 because it goeth not into his heart, but into his belly, and goeth out into the draught? This he said, making all meats clean. 20 And he said, That which proceedeth out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, [b]evil thoughts proceed, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, 22 covetings, wickednesses, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, railing, pride, foolishness: 23 all these evil things proceed from within, and defile the man.

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 7:15 Many ancient authorities insert verse 16 If any man hath ears to hear, let him hear. See 4:9.
  2. Mark 7:21 Greek thoughts that are evil.