Mark 7:20: “He went on: ‘What comes out of a person is what defiles them.'”

Extended Explanation of the Verse

In this verse, Jesus continues His teaching on true purity. He had just finished explaining that external things, like food, do not make a person spiritually unclean. Now, He makes it clear: what truly defiles a person comes from within—from the heart.

The religious leaders of the time focused on outward rituals—washing hands, avoiding certain foods, and keeping strict traditions. But Jesus shifts the focus to inner purity. He teaches that sin originates from within a person, not from external things.

This verse challenges the religious mindset of Jesus’ time. The Pharisees believed that avoiding unclean foods and following ceremonial rules kept them pure before God. But Jesus is saying, “No, purity is about the heart. What comes out of you—your words, your actions, your desires—is what truly matters.”

Historical Context

The Jewish people followed strict purity laws (Leviticus 11, 15). These laws were meant to set them apart from other nations and teach them about God’s holiness. However, by Jesus’ time, the Pharisees had added extra rules and traditions, making the laws a heavy burden instead of a guide to godliness.

For the Pharisees, defilement was a matter of external things—what a person touched, ate, or whom they associated with. They believed that staying away from “unclean” things and people made them holy.

Jesus completely overturns this thinking. He teaches that true defilement comes from inside—from evil thoughts, sinful desires, and corrupt motives. This is a radical departure from what many Jews had been taught for generations.

Theological Implications

This verse teaches several key spiritual truths:

1. Sin is an internal problem, not just an external one. Many people think sin is just bad actions, but Jesus reveals that sin begins in the heart (Jeremiah 17:9).
2. Legalism does not produce true righteousness. The Pharisees believed that following religious rules made them holy, but Jesus teaches that real purity comes from a changed heart (Matthew 23:25-26).
3. People need transformation, not just rule-following. Outward obedience without inner change is meaningless before God (Ezekiel 36:26).

This verse shows that human effort alone cannot fix the problem of sin—only a changed heart through Christ can make someone truly clean.

Literary Analysis

This verse is short but powerful.

• “He went on:” – Jesus continues His teaching, showing that this is a key point He wants His followers to understand.
• “What comes out of a person” – This shifts the focus from external to internal. Sin is not something outside a person; it is something that is already within.
• “Is what defiles them” – This completely contradicts the Pharisees’ beliefs about purity. Jesus is saying that a person is not made unclean by what they eat or touch, but by the sin that comes from their heart.

Jesus often used short, striking statements like this to challenge His listeners and force them to rethink their beliefs.

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

• Proverbs 4:23 – “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” – The heart is the source of all actions.
• Jeremiah 17:9 – “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” – Sin starts in the heart before it ever shows up in actions.
• Matthew 15:18-19 – “But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.” – Jesus explains that sinful words and actions reveal what is truly inside a person.
• Romans 3:10-12 – “There is no one righteous, not even one… all have turned away.” – Everyone struggles with sinful thoughts and desires.
• Ezekiel 36:26 – “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.” – The only solution to an unclean heart is God’s transformation.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse is a wake-up call for believers. Many people today still believe that holiness is about following rules and avoiding “bad things.” But Jesus teaches that true righteousness is about the heart.

For Christians today, this means:

1. Sin must be dealt with at the heart level. It is not enough to change behavior—we must allow God to transform our hearts (Romans 12:2).
2. Religion without heart change is empty. Going to church, praying, or reading the Bible does not make someone clean—a true relationship with Jesus does.
3. Self-examination is key. Instead of judging others based on external actions, we must examine our own hearts and ask God to cleanse us.

The real question is not, “Am I following the rules?” but “Am I truly seeking God and letting Him change me from the inside out?”

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in how He wants people to be truly clean, not just outwardly religious. He does not just give people a list of rules to follow—He calls them into real transformation.

Jesus’ teaching here is not just a rebuke—it is an invitation. He is calling people to stop pretending and start seeking real righteousness. This is God’s love in action—He tells the truth because He wants people to experience real holiness and freedom.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus is the only one who can truly make a person clean. The Pharisees tried to achieve righteousness through external means, but Jesus reveals that purity comes through Him alone.

• Jesus lived with perfect purity—His heart was never defiled, and He never sinned (Hebrews 4:15).
• Jesus came to cleanse people’s hearts—His sacrifice on the cross makes people truly clean (1 John 1:7).
• Jesus offers a new heart to those who follow Him—He doesn’t just forgive sin; He transforms lives (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Jesus’ teaching in this verse prepares the way for the gospel—a salvation that is not based on human effort, but on God’s grace.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Do you focus more on outward religious actions or on the condition of your heart?
2. What are some things in your own life that “come out of you” and reveal your heart’s condition?
3. Why do you think people are often more concerned with external appearances than with inner purity?
4. How can you let God change your heart rather than just trying to change your behavior?
5. What does this verse teach about the need for Jesus’ forgiveness and transformation?

This verse is a powerful reminder that real purity is not about external things—it is about a heart that is surrendered to God. Jesus calls us to look within, confess our sin, and allow Him to transform us from the inside out.