explain Mark 7:15?

Question

This is a book in the New Testament, what does this verse mean?

Answer 1

This is such a good question, because this verse, and the few that follow it are pivitol to understanding several other passages of scripture, which most of the world seem to misunderstand.
The primary teaching here is that cerimonial cleansing of food and drink does not do anything. For all food and drink exit the body in the same way (into the toilet). But these things do not defile a man, for only what comes from the heart of a man defiles him. For the heart is the origin of all sin.

The passage is used to understand other scriptures also, such as Mat 5:29-30 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Mark 7:15 has already taught us that sin comes from the heart, so can an eye or a hand cause you to sin? No it cannot. So we know this is not a teaching, but rather a parable. Its meaning is not explained here, but when we consider Mark 7:16 and what is said especially in the writings of Paul, that we are all members in the body of Christ; we can see that it is in fact a warning that if we should cause the body of Christ to sin, that He will cut US off and CAST US AWAY from him. Nothing to worry about for those who have put their faith in Him for loves sake. But for those who have done so just to save themselves, they will be lost.

It is also pivitol in understanding Acts10:10-15, the vision which Peter had upon the rooftop. Many consider this to mean that it is okay to eat anything you like now. And would use Mark7:15 to support this view. However, we know that Peter was present when Jesus said what He did in Mark 7:15, yet Peter protested to God saying "No". This helps us also to understand that Jesus was not suggesting that we could eat anything we liked. Because Peter was there, and he knew this was not what was meant. Later, Peter gives the answer himself in Acts 10:28 when he says "And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean."
Mark 7:15, something for the Jews back then, and something for the Christians of today.
Shalom

Answer 2

4. (14-16) Jesus speaks to the multitude about the mere image of religion.

When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!”

a. There is nothing that enters a man from the outside which can defile him: This is not to say that there are not defiling things that we can take into ourselves (such as pornography). But in this specific context, Jesus spoke about ceremonial cleanliness in regard to food, and He anticipated when all foods would be declared kosher (Acts 10:15).

b. The things which come out of him, those are things that defile a man: The fundamental principle is simple. Washing with “unclean hands” or any other such thing that we “put into us” is not defiling. Rather, what comes out of us defiles, and reveals that we have unclean (defiled) hearts.

i. “Although it may not seem so now, this passage, when it was first spoken, was well-nigh the most revolutionary passage in the New Testament.”

Answer 3

Jesus is talking about defilement coming from within.

He is making a distinction from what is external and that which is internal. He is saying that religion is not something that you can rub on as you do a salve. It is not something that you eat or refrain from eating. Since it enters into a man, it can't defile him because it did not enter through his heart, but into the stomach and goes out of the digestive system.

It means that evil comes from within, evil thoughts, pride, foolishness, fornication, murders (anger), evil eye (envy), wickedness (acts that are intended to hurt people). It is what is in a man's heart that defiles him.

That is why we must be born again so we can be transformed by the renewing of our minds by the very words of God.

Answer 4

15Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean.' .
many have mistaken this to mean that we are now allowed to eat anything. but if it is read properly you will see that it doesn't mention anything about eating. it is about the bad stuff around us. we continuesly "take in" large amounts of information everyday whether it be news, scince or even porn. all of these this things affect our behavior but it is only when we practise the corrupt and wrong thins around us then do we defile ourselves. society shapes an induvitual but it is the choice of the indivitual to practise what society says. as for eating stuff, the bilble also says in romans that we are to keep ourselves holy just as god is holy. this verse is an echo of a text in the OT , directly after this text is a list of food that makes us unclean.

Answer 5

Jesus actually went on to explain the illustration here:

"Now when he had entered a house away from the crowd, his disciples began to question him respecting the illustration. 18 So he said to them: “Are YOU also without perception like them? Are YOU not aware that nothing from outside that passes into a man can defile him, 19 since it passes, not into [his] heart, but into [his] intestines, and it passes out into the sewer?” Thus he declared all foods clean. 20 Further, he said: “That which issues forth out of a man is what defiles a man; 21 for from inside, out of the heart of men, injurious reasonings issue forth: fornications, thieveries, murders, 22 adulteries, covetings, acts of wickedness, deceit, loose conduct, an envious eye, blasphemy, haughtiness, unreasonableness. 23 All these wicked things issue forth from within and defile a man.” -Mark 7:17-23

It is from the heart, the "seat" of motivation that can defile or make unclean........... it is the motive for certain action.

Good Question!

Answer 6

(NKJV)Mark 7:20, "And He said what comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21. For from within out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts, adultries, fornications, murders 22. thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness."
This was the response Jesus had to the Pharisee's when they were criticizing His Disciples for eating bread with unwashed hands.

Answer 7

If you read the verses Mark 7:20-23 it tell you the answer to your question. I hope this helps!

Answer 8

Jesus' teachings differ from those of the Pharisees. Pharasaical Judaism is a type of religion known as "orthopraxy." That is, religion is not something you believe, it's something you do. A jew must daven, who cares what he believes as long as he puts holy writ upon his head before he goes out and wraps his arms up in the word of the L-rd. A good Jew eats seder during Passover, and he keeps the other holy days. And a good jew never eats treyf. To eat treyf is to defile oneself.

To which Jesus said, a pox on your meaningless religion. Don't worry about the outside so much; pay attention to your soul. G-d does not listen to your lips; He listens to your heart.

Answer 9

Mark 7:15 (New International Version)
15Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean.' "

The Pharisees had many rituals to do before they could eat. Like wash their hands so many times etc or what they ate was thought to be unclean. They had reprimanded Jesus and his disciples for not follow the traditions of the Pharisees.

Jesus told them what they spoke could make them unclean. NOt some stupid ritual.
†

Answer 10

Jesus said this in response the what the pharisees said in verse 5 about Jesus' disciples having dirty hands when that ate.
What he meant was that its not dirty hands or food that makes a person unfit, but it is what a person says and does that makes him a bad person-not what he eats.