20 And He was saying , " That which proceeds out of the man , that is what defiles the man . 21 "For from within , out of the heart of men , proceed the evil thoughts , fornications , thefts , murders , adulteries , 22 d deeds of coveting and wickedness , as well as deceit , sensuality , envy e , slander , pride and foolishness . 23 "All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 7:20-23
Commentary on Mark 7:14-23
(Read Mark 7:14-23)
Our wicked thoughts and affections, words and actions, defile us, and these only. As a corrupt fountain sends forth corrupt streams, so does a corrupt heart send forth corrupt reasonings, corrupt appetites and passions, and all the wicked words and actions that come from them. A spiritual understanding of the law of God, and a sense of the evil of sin, will cause a man to seek for the grace of the Holy Spirit, to keep down the evil thoughts and affections that work within.