Mark 7:20-23

[20] And That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. [21] For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, [22] covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: [23] All evil things come from within, and defile the man.

What is the context of Mark 7:20-23?

Defilement from Within (Mark 7:14-23 true)
What Defiles a Person (Mark 7:14-23 true)
The Heart of Man (Mark 7:14-23 true)
Jesus Teaches about Inner Purity (Mark 7:1-23 true)
That Which Defiles .( A .) (Mark 7:1-23 true)
Defilement Comes from Within (Mark 7:1-23 true)
The Traditions of the Elders (Mark 7:1-23 true)
Jesus Challenges the Tradition of the Elders (Mark 7:1-23 true)

What does Mark 7:20-23 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Jesus repeated and became more specific so the disciples would understand Him. The list of sins proceeds from six actions to six attitudes (cf. Romans 1:29-31; Galatians 5:19-23). Matthew"s record included only six sins. Evil thoughts are the ground out of which the evil actions and attitudes grow. The order in the text is true to life. Sin proceeds from the heart (human nature) to the thoughts (human mind) to actions (human deeds).

This controversy with the Pharisees and the scribes was a factor that led Jesus to withdraw from Galilee a third time (cf. Mark 4:35-36; Mark 6:31-32).