What Defiles a Man

(Mark 7:14–23)

10 [Jesus] called the crowd [to Him] [and] said, “Listen and understand.11 A man is not defiled by what enters [his] mouth, but by what comes out of [it].”

12 Then His disciples[fn] came to Him and said, “Are You aware that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”

13 But [Jesus] replied, “Every plant that My heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by its roots.14 Disregard them! They are blind guides.[fn] If [a] blind [man] leads [a] blind [man], both will fall into a pit.”

15 Peter said to Him, “Explain this[fn] parable to us.”

16 “Do you still not understand?” Jesus asked.17 “Do you not yet[fn] realize that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then is eliminated?18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man.19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, [and] slander.20 These are what defile a man, but eating with unwashed hands does not defile [him].”