← Back to Mark Hub

Mark Chapter Study

True Defilement and the Heart of the Gospel

Mark 7 (KJV)

Mark 7 exposes the danger of empty religion and redirects attention to the true condition of the human heart. Jesus confronts the Pharisees over their elevation of tradition above Scripture, teaches that real defilement comes from within, and then demonstrates the reach of His grace through powerful ministry among Gentiles.

What You'll Learn

• Why religious tradition must never replace the authority of God’s Word
• How Jesus exposes worship that honors God with lips but not the heart
• Why true defilement comes from within the heart
• What Mark 7 teaches about the need for inner transformation
• How the Syrophenician woman shows humble and persistent faith
• Why Jesus’ grace reaches beyond cultural and religious boundaries
• How Jesus personally restores the deaf and speech-impaired man
• Why the crowd declares, “He hath done all things well”

Mark 7 teaches that God is not seeking empty religious performance, but a heart transformed by truth, humility, faith, and the mercy of Christ.

Bible Translation Note Scripture Verse-by-Verse Study Chapter Synopsis Prayer Personal Application Weekly Actions Chapter Summary

Bible Translation Note: All Scripture on this page is quoted from the King James Version (KJV) and presented in full without alteration.

Mark 7:1 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

Mark 7:2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

Mark 7:3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

Mark 7:4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.

Mark 7:5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

Mark 7:6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

Mark 7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Mark 7:8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

Mark 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

Mark 7:10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

Mark 7:11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.

Mark 7:12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;

Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Mark 7:14 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:

Mark 7:15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

Mark 7:16 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

Mark 7:17 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.

Mark 7:18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into a man, it cannot defile him;

Mark 7:19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?

Mark 7:20 And he said, That which cometh out of a man, that defileth a man.

Mark 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

Mark 7:22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

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

Mark 7:24 And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid.

Mark 7:25 For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:

Mark 7:26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.

Mark 7:27 But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.

Mark 7:28 And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.

Mark 7:29 And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.

Mark 7:30 And when she was come to her house, she found the daughter laid on the bed, and the devil gone out.

Mark 7:31 And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.

Mark 7:32 And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him.

Mark 7:33 And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;

Mark 7:34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.

Mark 7:35 And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.

Mark 7:36 And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it;

Mark 7:37 And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

Mark 7:1

Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

Study: Religious leaders from Jerusalem come to examine Jesus. Their arrival shows organized opposition from the religious establishment. They are not coming with humble hearts to learn, but with critical eyes to find fault.

Mark 7:2

And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

Study: The issue is not basic cleanliness, but ceremonial handwashing according to tradition. The Pharisees focus on outward ritual and accuse the disciples. This reveals how easily religion can become focused on external appearances rather than the condition of the heart.

Mark 7:3

For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

Study: Mark explains the Jewish custom for readers who may not know it. The tradition of the elders had become deeply embedded in religious life. The danger was that tradition began to carry the weight of Scripture.

Mark 7:4

And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.

Study: Their ritual system extended into many areas of daily life. Cups, pots, vessels, and tables were all subject to ceremonial washing. What began as religious tradition had expanded into a burdensome system of external purity.

Mark 7:5

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

Study: Their question reveals the issue clearly: they are defending tradition, not Scripture. They measure the disciples by human rules. Jesus will respond by showing that God’s Word must stand above every man-made religious system.

Mark 7:6

He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

Study: Jesus quotes Isaiah and calls out hypocrisy. Their words sound religious, but their hearts are distant from God. This verse warns against worship that is outwardly correct but inwardly empty.

Mark 7:7

Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Study: Worship becomes vain when man’s commandments are treated as God’s doctrine. Religious activity cannot please God when it replaces obedience to His Word. Jesus exposes the emptiness of tradition-centered worship.

Mark 7:8

For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

Study: Jesus says they have laid aside God’s commandment in order to hold to human tradition. Tradition is not always wrong, but it becomes dangerous when it replaces or weakens Scripture.

Mark 7:9

And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

Study: Jesus sharpens the rebuke. Their tradition does not merely distract from God’s command; it causes them to reject it. This is a serious warning for every generation of believers.

Mark 7:10

For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

Study: Jesus points to God’s command through Moses. Honoring father and mother was a clear command of the Law. Jesus uses Scripture to expose how their tradition contradicted God’s revealed will.

Mark 7:11

But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.

Study: The Corban tradition allowed someone to declare resources dedicated to God and avoid using them to help parents. What sounded religious became a loophole for disobedience. Jesus exposes the misuse of religion to avoid love and responsibility.

Mark 7:12

And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;

Study: The tradition prevented a person from helping his parents. This shows the practical damage caused by man-made religious rules when they override God’s command to love and honor others.

Mark 7:13

Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Study: Jesus declares that their tradition made God’s Word of none effect. This was not an isolated issue. Their system repeatedly weakened Scripture under the appearance of religious devotion.

Mark 7:14

And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:

Study: Jesus now calls the crowd to listen carefully. What He is about to say is important for everyone, not only the Pharisees. He wants the people to understand the true nature of defilement.

Mark 7:15

There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

Study: Jesus teaches that true defilement is not caused by external contact or food. It comes from what flows out of the heart. This shifts the focus from outward ritual to inward spiritual reality.

Mark 7:16

If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

Study: Jesus calls for spiritual hearing. Not everyone who hears words receives truth. A humble heart is needed to understand what God is saying.

Mark 7:17

And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.

Study: The disciples ask Jesus privately for understanding. This shows their need to grow and their willingness to ask. Discipleship includes bringing confusion to Jesus and letting Him teach us.

Mark 7:18

And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into a man, it cannot defile him;

Study: Jesus explains that outside things cannot reach the heart in a way that causes moral defilement. The disciples are still thinking in external categories. Jesus is teaching them to see spiritually.

Mark 7:19

Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?

Study: Food enters the body, not the heart. Jesus points beyond dietary and ceremonial concerns to the deeper issue of moral purity. The heart is the true battleground.

Mark 7:20

And he said, That which cometh out of a man, that defileth a man.

Study: Jesus repeats the central point: what comes out of a person reveals what is within. Words, actions, and desires expose the heart. External washing cannot cleanse internal corruption.

Mark 7:21

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

Study: Jesus begins listing sins that come from within. Evil thoughts lead to sinful actions. The problem of sin is not merely behavior; it begins in the heart.

Mark 7:22

Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

Study: Jesus continues the list, showing the broad range of sins that flow from the heart. These are not random mistakes; they are expressions of inner corruption that only God can truly cleanse.

Mark 7:23

All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Study: Jesus concludes that true defilement comes from within. This points to the need for a changed heart, not just improved religious habits. Only God can cleanse and renew the inner person.

Mark 7:24

And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid.

Study: Jesus enters Gentile territory and seeks privacy, but He cannot be hidden. His fame and power have spread beyond Israel. This prepares the reader to see His grace reaching outside expected boundaries.

Mark 7:25

For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:

Study: A desperate mother comes to Jesus because her daughter has an unclean spirit. She falls at His feet in humility and faith. Need brings her to Christ, and faith keeps her there.

Mark 7:26

The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.

Study: Mark emphasizes that she is a Gentile. She has no natural claim on Israel’s covenant promises, yet she comes boldly to Jesus. Her request shows that she believes He has authority over evil.

Mark 7:27

But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.

Study: Jesus speaks of the order of His mission: first to Israel. His statement tests her faith and humility. Rather than walking away offended, she responds with remarkable trust in His mercy.

Mark 7:28

And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.

Study: Her answer is humble, wise, and full of faith. She does not demand a place of privilege, but trusts that even the crumbs of Christ’s mercy are enough. This is one of the great examples of persistent faith in the Gospels.

Mark 7:29

And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.

Study: Jesus grants her request. His word is enough to cast out the demon at a distance. This shows His authority over spiritual darkness and His willingness to respond to humble faith.

Mark 7:30

And when she was come to her house, she found the daughter laid on the bed, and the devil gone out.

Study: The woman returns home and finds the miracle complete. Her daughter is free. Jesus’ word accomplished exactly what He said, bringing peace into the household.

Mark 7:31

And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.

Study: Jesus continues moving through Gentile regions. Mark shows the expanding reach of His ministry. The grace of Christ is not confined to one region, people, or social boundary.

Mark 7:32

And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him.

Study: A man who cannot hear and has difficulty speaking is brought to Jesus. Others intercede for him. Sometimes faith is shown by bringing someone in need to Christ.

Mark 7:33

And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;

Study: Jesus takes the man aside privately and ministers to him personally. The actions communicate care in a way the man can understand. Christ’s healing is not cold or distant; it is personal and compassionate.

Mark 7:34

And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.

Study: Jesus looks to heaven and sighs, showing both dependence on the Father and compassion for human suffering. His command, “Be opened,” carries divine authority.

Mark 7:35

And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.

Study: The healing is immediate and complete. His ears are opened, his speech is restored, and he speaks clearly. Jesus restores what was broken and gives the man new ability to hear and speak.

Mark 7:36

And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it;

Study: Jesus commands silence, but the people spread the news even more. The miracle is too astonishing for them to keep quiet. His work produces testimony.

Mark 7:37

And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

Study: The crowd is overwhelmed and declares that Jesus does all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the speech-impaired speak. This final statement captures the beauty of Christ’s restoring work.

Mark 7 begins with a confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees over ceremonial handwashing. The religious leaders accuse the disciples of failing to follow the tradition of the elders. Jesus responds by exposing the deeper issue: the Pharisees had allowed human tradition to replace the authority of God’s Word.

Jesus quotes Isaiah to show that their worship was outward but not inward. They honored God with their lips while their hearts were far from Him. He then gives the example of Corban, showing how a religious tradition allowed people to avoid honoring their parents, thereby making God’s Word of none effect.

Jesus then teaches the crowd that true defilement does not come from what enters a person from the outside, but from what comes out of the heart. He lists sins that proceed from within, revealing that the deepest human problem is not external contamination but internal corruption.

The chapter then shifts into Gentile territory, where a Syrophenician woman comes to Jesus on behalf of her demon-oppressed daughter. Her humble and persistent faith receives mercy, and Jesus delivers her daughter by His word.

Finally, Jesus heals a man who is deaf and has a speech impediment. He takes him aside personally, commands his ears and tongue to be opened, and restores him completely. Mark 7 teaches that God desires heart-level worship, Scripture must remain above tradition, and Jesus does all things well.

Heavenly Father, search my heart and show me where I have honored You with my lips while my heart has been far from You. Help me never to place tradition, routine, or appearance above Your Word. Cleanse me from within and transform the desires of my heart. Give me humble faith like the Syrophenician woman and open my ears to hear Your truth clearly. Loose my tongue to speak what honors You. Thank You that Jesus does all things well. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

• Read Mark 7 twice this week
• Memorize Mark 7:6-7
• Write down one tradition or habit in your life and compare it to Scripture
• Review the sins listed in Mark 7:21-22 and ask God to examine your heart
• Do one concrete act of honor or care for a family member
• Pray for someone outside your usual circle of concern
• Ask God to open your ears to hear His Word and your mouth to speak truth

Mark 7 confronts the danger of replacing God’s Word with human tradition. Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for honoring God with their lips while their hearts remain far from Him. He teaches that true defilement does not come from outward things, but from within the human heart. The chapter then shows Jesus extending mercy beyond Jewish boundaries through the faith of the Syrophenician woman and restoring a deaf and speech-impaired man. Mark 7 calls believers to sincere worship, heart-level repentance, humble faith, and confidence that Jesus does all things well.

Mark 7 completed

Check this box when you finish this chapter study.

You have completed 0 of 16 chapters in Mark.

View your full progress on the Mark Hub .

Still Studying?

Have a Question About This Chapter?

Ask a Bible question and receive a Scripture-guided study response designed to help point you back to God's Word.

Ask a Bible Question →

Back to Mark Hub Next Chapter: Mark 8 →