Mark 7:16
"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."
Key Reflection
Jesus teaches that external rituals or practices do not inherently defile a person, whereas internal states like sinful thoughts and actions are what truly pollute one's heart and spirit. This challenges prevailing religious traditions of his time, emphasizing the need for inward transformation over outward observance.
Related Verses
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From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes