Mark 7:1–23

7:1 Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered together to Him, having come from Jerusalem.

7:2 Now when they saw some of His disciples eating bread with defiled, that is unwashed, hands, they found fault.

7:3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews don’t eat unless they wash their hands and forearms, holding to the tradition of the elders.

7:4 They don’t eat when they come from the marketplace unless they bathe themselves, and there are many other things, which they have received to hold to: washings of cups, pitchers, bronze vessels, and couches.)

7:5 The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why don’t Your disciples walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with unwashed hands?”

7:6 He answered them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of You hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

7:7 But they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

7:8 “For You set aside the commandment of God, and hold tightly to the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and You do many other such things.”

7:9 He said to them, “Full well do You reject the commandment of God, that You may keep Your tradition.

7:10 For Moses said, ‘Honor Your father and Your mother;’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let Him be put to death.’

7:11 But You say, ‘If a man tells His father or His mother, “Whatever profit You might have received from me is Corban,” ’ ” that is to say, given to God,

7:12 “Then You no longer allow Him to do anything for His father or His mother,

7:13 Making void the word of God by Your tradition, which You have handed down. You do many things like this.”

7:14 He called all the multitude to Himself, and said to them, “Hear me, all of You, and understand.

7:15 There is nothing from outside of the man, that going into Him can defile Him; but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man.

7:16 If anyone has ears to hear, let Him hear!”

7:17 When He had entered into a house away from the multitude, His disciples asked Him about the parable.

7:18 He said to them, “Are You also without understanding? Don’t You perceive that whatever goes into the man from outside can’t defile Him,

7:19 Because it doesn’t go into His heart, but into His stomach, then into the latrine, making all foods clean?”

7:20 He said, “That which proceeds out of the man, that defiles the man.

7:21 For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts,

7:22 Covetings, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness.

7:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”