What is the meaning of Mark 7:15? Nothing that enters a man – Jesus has just been challenged about ceremonial hand-washing (Mark 7:1–5); He redirects attention from ritual to reality. – Food itself, taken in with thanksgiving, is declared morally neutral (cf. Acts 10:15; Romans 14:14; 1 Timothy 4:4). – God created the material world good, so the mere act of eating cannot stain the conscience. from the outside – “Outside” highlights that defilement is not primarily external but spiritual. – Israel’s dietary laws pointed to holiness (Leviticus 11) yet were always meant to teach inward purity (Isaiah 29:13). – Jesus anticipates the new-covenant freedom where believers are not bound by food regulations (Colossians 2:16-17, 21-22). can defile him – Defilement in Scripture speaks of unfitness to approach God (Psalm 24:3-4). – The Lord affirms that sin, not sandwiches, separates us from fellowship. – True uncleanness is a matter of the heart, not the menu (Hebrews 10:22). but the things that come out of a man – Words and actions flow from the inner person (Matthew 15:18–19; Proverbs 4:23). – Jesus will list concrete examples just a few verses later—evil thoughts, immorality, deceit, pride (Mark 7:21-22). – The fruit of our lips and lives exposes the root of our hearts (James 3:10-12; Galatians 5:19-23). these are what defile him – Sin expressed outwardly confirms the inward corruption needing redemption (Jeremiah 17:9). – God looks past appearances to the motives that burst forth in conduct (1 Samuel 16:7). – Nothing unclean will enter God’s presence (Revelation 21:27); only a cleansed heart through Christ’s sacrifice makes us fit (Hebrews 9:14). summary Mark 7:15 redirects the spotlight from external observances to internal righteousness. Food cannot pollute the soul, but the words and deeds springing from a sinful heart surely can. Jesus calls every listener to let Him cleanse the inside first, knowing that when the heart is purified, life on the outside follows suit. |
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