'When he got home away from the crowd his disciples questioned him about the parable. He said to them, “Are even you likewise without understanding? Do you not realize that everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters not the heart but the stomach and passes out into the latrine?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) “But what comes out of a person, that is what defiles. From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile (Mk. 7:17-23).”'
This explanation to the disciples of what defiles a person followed Jesus’ discourse with the Pharisees and Scribes about the traditions of the Jewish elders. Jesus draws a distinction between what is essential for salvation and what is not. Since the religious leaders of Israel no longer observe the Law as God intended, Jesus tried to interpret the Law for them. He does not say that the Law is no longer valid; “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill (Mt. 5:17)." The Hebrews believed that the heart was the center of learning and feeling so since food enters the stomach and not the heart it cannot defile a person. Evil deeds and vices come from the hearts of evil people.
Almighty God, you know if our hearts are pure when we bow our heads before you. Let all that is hidden be revealed so that by your great mercy we can be healed of all afflictions and enter into your presence undefiled. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen!
References:
Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, & Roland E. Murphy, (Eds.). (1990, 1968). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentis Hall, Inc.
Jose M. Casciaro, Santiago Ausin, Gonzalo Aranda, Claudio Basevi, Vincente Balaguer, Francisco Varo, James Gavigan, Brian McCarthy & Thomas McGovern (Eds.). (2017). The Navarre Bible - New Testament. Dublin 8, Ireland: Four Courts Press.
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