New Testament
Mark 7:18
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
He said to them, "Do you still not get it? Don't you realize that nothing going into a person from the outside can make them unclean?
Compare translations
And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;
What Mark 7:18 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus is addressing the misunderstanding of his disciples regarding what truly makes a person unclean or sinful. He emphasizes that it is not the food or external things that enter the body that defile a person, but rather what comes from within, such as thoughts, intentions, and actions. This teaching challenges the traditional Jewish laws about dietary restrictions and purity, highlighting that true defilement comes from the heart. Jesus is urging his followers to look beyond external rituals and focus on inner morality and spiritual integrity. The message is clear: external practices do not determine one's spiritual state; it is the condition of the heart that matters most in one's relationship with God.
How to apply Mark 7:18 to your life
This verse encourages us to examine our own hearts and motivations rather than just our outward actions. We should focus on cultivating inner purity and integrity, ensuring that our thoughts and intentions align with our faith. It reminds us that true spirituality is about what is inside us, not just external appearances.
Curated for this public verse page. Mark Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from John the Apostle's story: Mending Their Nets (Mark 1:19–20)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
John the Apostle
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002724966). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Bethlehem, West Bank; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Bethlehem
David's hometown, and the town where Jesus was born.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Mark 7:18
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Mark 7:18
At a Glance — the Book of Mark
- Author
- John Mark
- Written
- Around AD 55-65
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- Roman and Gentile Christians
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Mark 7:18 mean?
Mark 7:18 means that Jesus is teaching his disciples that external things, like food, do not make a person unclean. Instead, it is what comes from within a person, such as their thoughts and intentions, that truly defines their purity.
What is the meaning of defile in Mark 7:18?
In Mark 7:18, 'defile' refers to making someone unclean or impure in a moral or spiritual sense. Jesus is explaining that it is not the food that enters the body that causes this, but rather the inner thoughts and actions of a person.
How does Mark 7:18 relate to dietary laws?
Mark 7:18 challenges traditional dietary laws by stating that what a person eats does not make them unclean. Jesus is teaching that spiritual purity is determined by one's heart and actions, not by following external food restrictions.
What lesson can we learn from Mark 7:18?
The lesson from Mark 7:18 is to focus on our inner thoughts and motivations rather than just our outward actions. It encourages us to cultivate a pure heart and align our intentions with our faith.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.