In Mark 7:19, Jesus says “That which goes into a man’s mouth does not defile him, but that which comes out of his mouth, this defiles him.” This verse has led to much debate among Christians over what it means. Some interpret it to mean that Jesus made all food clean, while others interpret it to mean that what we say is more important than what we eat.
What Does Mark 7:19 Say?
According to Mark 7:19, “there is nothing that enters a person from the outside which can defile them.” In other words, it is not what goes into someone that makes them impure or unclean, but what comes out of them. This is in contrast to the common belief at the time that what goes into someone (e.g., food) determines their purity. Jesus is saying here that it is not what we consume that matters, but rather our actions and thoughts.
For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.) Mark 7:19
Clean and Unclean Food in the Bible
The Bible is very clear about what food is clean and what food is unclean. These are found in the dietary laws of Leviticus. God created all animals and plants for our use, but there are some that He has declared unclean. The Old Testament tells us the Israelites were forbidden to eat certain animals because they were considered unclean. Some of these animals were considered unclean because they were scavengers or predators. Others were thought to be dirty because they looked or behaved in ways that made them unfit for humans to eat. Still, others were considered unclean because of the way they were prepared for food.
The most common clean foods in the Bible are fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy products. Clean meats include beef, lamb, chicken, and fish. The Israelites were also instructed to only eat clean animals that had been properly slaughtered and drained of blood. By following these food laws you were bringing ritual purity for the glory of god.
Did Jesus Make All Food Clean?
“Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)” Mark 7:18-19
Mark 7:19 is cited in defense of Jesus making all food clean. This is interesting because the context of the events occurring in Mark 7 is about a man-made ritual of washing one’s unwashed hands and saying certain prayers, before eating.
“The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.) So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?” Mark 7:1-5
This makes it clear that the Pharisees were not concerned about the food being eaten, but rather that the disciples had not washed their hands “according to the tradition of the elders.” Clearly, Jesus disagreed with the practices of the Pharisees and the fact that they were more concerned about their hand-washing tradition than the commands of God. The origin of this law is biblical.
It is also important to note that at the time of this conversion with the Pharisees, Jesus Christ and his disciples were eating bread. Unleavened bread is not one of the unclean foods stated in the Mosaic Laws. The Pharisees were troubled by unclean hands, not by the act of eating bread.
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a bronze basin with its bronze stand for washing." Place it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it. Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet with water from it. Whenever they enter the tent of meeting, they shall wash with water so that they will not die. Also, when they approach the altar to minister by presenting a food offering to the Lord, they shall wash their hands and feet so that they will not die. "This is to be a lasting ordinance for Aaron and his descendants for the generations to come.” Exodus 30:17-21
Washing Hands Makes All Food Clean?
The washing of hands makes them ritually pure. This symbolic expression of washing away impurity from one’s hands dates back to Temple times, when the priests, as described in Exodus 30 with Aaron, devoted their lives to the Temple and its sacrificial system. Before performing any ritual, a Priest was required to wash his hands, making himself pure and ready to offer a sacrifice.
When the temple, where they would offer their sacrifices, was destroyed in 70 CE, the table in a home came to represent the temple altar. The bread placed on it symbolizes the offerings that were once brought to the priests. The Elders did not want the practice of washing hands before handling an offering to be forgotten, so washing hands before a meal were strictly enforced. Today, it is still common practice to wash your hands before eating.
The Pharisees’ Focus
To the Pharisees, the hand-washing tradition was very important. The Pharisees were so rigid in their traditions, that if Jesus and His disciples were breaking the dietary laws, the Pharisees would have questioned them about what they were eating as well. However, from the context of the verses, you can see they were not concerned about what was being eaten; but the disciples had not washed their hands.
“Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. “Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.) He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” Mark 7:14-23
In the next part of this section, Jesus said that the tradition of washing hands has no power; it has no power over the Law of God. Man’s traditions cannot make something clean or unclean; only the Law of God can do that. As we have seen from the context of the verses, it has nothing to do with eating something that is not already understood by the Jewish Pharisees to be considered food. They were not talking about eating something that is unclean; they were talking about how their actions would make something that God said is clean for food to be unclean.
Did Jesus Really Declare All Foods Clean?
If this is the case, what does it mean when the Bible plainly says, “(thus he declared all foods clean)”? God defined food for us in Leviticus. When we go beyond His parameters, we are putting our wants, desires, and rules above those of God. If Jesus stated that all food is clean, it is with the “Biblical” understanding of what food is, not what society has deemed to be good to eat.
What do Older Bibles say about “All Food Clean”?
You might have noted that I said “If Jesus stated” because “in saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean” in Mark 7:19 are not found in the oldest manuscripts. If you study Bibles prior to 1899, you will find Mark 7:19 written like this:
“Because it doth not enter into his heart, but into the belly, and into the drain it doth go out, purifying all the meats.” Mark 7:19 – Young’s Literal Translation 1862
“Because it entered not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught which is the purging of all meats?” Mark 7:19 – Geneva Bible 1599
“Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?” Mark 7:19 – King James Bible Version 1611
“Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?” Mark 7:19 – Authorized King James Version 1769
Newer Bible Translations Have Mark chapter 7 verse 19 written as:
because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and [a]is eliminated?” (Thus He declared all foods clean.) Mark 7:19 New King James Version
For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.) Mark 7:19 New International Version
because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and [a]is eliminated?” (Thus He declared all foods clean.) Mark 7:19 New American Standard Bible 1995
It’s quite possible and maybe even likely, that in later translations those words were added in by the translators; they were making their own determination about what Jesus was talking about. The common teaching that Jesus made all things clean does not fit the context of the passage. Instead, what we see is Jesus revealed a great truth. There is nothing we can do to change the word of God. Jesus declared what is clean to eat; nothing man can do will change it. Whether our hands are clean or dirty, food is still food, and non-food remains, not food.
Matthew Chapter 15 – That Which Defiles
This same story is told in Matthew chapter 15. Nowhere in this telling of the story is it claimed that Jesus made all food clean. This is important to point out because Jesus changing the laws given by God to Moses is a big deal.
“All Food Clean” – Peter’s Vision (Acts 10)
All food is clean comes up again in Acts 10, when we are told about a vision Peter has. Peter saw all kinds of animals coming down from Heaven in a sheet and was told to eat. Yet, Peter refused.
Most believe that Peter’s vision is about food. What if I was to tell you this vision was about the Gentiles and had nothing to do with food?
“About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate.” Acts 10:9-17
If God didn’t want Peter to eat the unclean animals in that sheet, then why did he tell him to? God told Abraham to kill his son Isaac. Did He really want Abraham to kill his son? Of course not. Consider the fact that even Peter was curious as to the meaning of the vision.
“While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision…” Acts 10:17
What Would You Do?
If you were given a vision of a sheet coming down from heaven filled with innocent people and a gun, then you heard a voice say, “Take the gun. Shoot and murder,” I think you would be a little confused too. I know I would.
You would be disturbed by the vision knowing that God commanded you to do something that you know is contrary to His Word. Peter had the same thoughts. Clean and unclean food was a basic and elementary command for a Hebrew.
Why would years after Christ would unclean animals become clean for food very clear that he had NEVER eaten such an animal and had no intention to eat those that were in the sheet. He saw the vision three times, and soon thereafter, three gentiles came to his door. Acts 10:28 shows Peter’s conclusion to the meaning of the vision.
“But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.” Acts 10:28
Mean to Paul’s Vision
Food was never meant to be part of the interpretation of what God was showing him. Peter had not eaten any of these unclean animals. If Peter’s vision was to include the cleansing of unclean animals for food, he would have made mention of this.
Peter even informed the brothers of his vision and his refusal to eat the unclean animals in the vision. Acts 11:18 gives us the conclusion his brothers make about his vision.
“When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.” Acts 11:18
Peter’s vision was to get the Jews out from under the influence of the Pharisees.
“He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.” Acts 10:28
Peter’s vision is one of the few visions in Scripture in which we are literally told the correct interpretation. Not just once, but actually twice. Despite that, many today mistakenly think that Peter’s vision is about food. The reality is that God was teaching Peter that it’s okay to associate with Gentiles. Even despite what the Pharisees might think and teach.
“All Food Clean” – Apostle Paul Thoughts
“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,[a] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.” 1 Timothy 4:1-7
The mainstream Biblical commentary focus is on verse 4. It suggests that God has abolished the dietary instructions and now all things are clean and suitable as food. This is an easy mistake to make if we read only verse 4. But even in the context of the whole chapter, it is confusing.
Unfortunately, Paul had a way of writing that was often found to lead to confusion. We were warned that Paul’s letters are difficult to understand and can be used to teach against the commandments of god in error, thus creating lawlessness or sin.
“So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.” 2 Peter 3:14-17
Peter wrote this when people understood the context and common debates of the first century. We are 2,000 years and a couple of languages removed. Maybe we should take Peter’s warning even that much more seriously!
…to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. ” 1 Timothy 4:3
Know the Truth?
What does it mean to “know the Truth”? God’s law, which includes God’s dietary instructions, is declared by the Bible to be the Truth.
Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth. Psalm 119:142
If all animals are now clean and suitable for eating, then as a consequence dietary laws are no longer true. Paul says that all scripture is not only still true but also still instructions in righteousness
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
If Paul says that, then how can we think of anything differently? What is 1 Timothy 4 all about then? Paul is warning Timothy about men who command believers to abstain from eating meat that God has already said is good. These false teachers are commanding believers not to eat beef, chicken, and other meat already declared food. These false teachers are not telling believers to abstain from eating pork because pork was not defined as food in Scripture.
The Path to Health, Not Salvation
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” Matthew 5:17-18
The commands given throughout the Bible were given to us by God so that we would know how to live a happy, healthy, and holy life. Let me make this very clear, if you read every word on this site and don’t implement one thing of it into your life, that’s okay. This is not one huge guilt trip. This will not affect your forgiveness and salvation at all.
Conclusion – All Food Clean?
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
God gave Moses a list of commands to follow while he was on Mount Sinai. These commands are to help us have the best life we can possibly have. The issue of keeping “all foods clean” will be debated by bible scholars for the rest of their lives. I can not stress this next point enough. As Christians today, these commands have nothing to do with salvation. We have our salvation. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Nothing is going to change that!