Mark 7:20

Amharic Tigrinya 2011

በለ ድማ፡ እቲ ኻብ ሰብ ዚወጽእ ደኣ እዩ ንሰብ ዜርክሶ።

What Does This Mean?

This verse is from the Gospel of Mark and is spoken by Jesus. He says that what comes out of a person, their words and actions, is what makes them truly unclean or defiled.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a garden inside your heart where thoughts grow. If bad weeds (bad thoughts) grow there and spread out to the world through your actions, it's like spreading dirt everywhere instead of flowers. Jesus says that’s how we can make ourselves dirty on the inside.

Historical Background

This verse comes from the Gospel of Mark, written around 65-70 AD by an unknown author. It was directed at early Christian communities and specifically addresses a debate between Jesus and some Pharisees about what makes people clean or unclean according to Jewish laws.

Living It Out Today

Consider when you speak harshly to someone out of anger. Those words can hurt like poison, showing that it’s not what goes into us but what comes out from within our hearts that truly affects others and ourselves.

Topics

• inner purity
• speech
• actions
• spiritual defilement
• heart's intentions
• moral conduct

Related Verses

• Matthew 15:18
• Luke 6:45
• Proverbs 18:21
• Romans 7:15-20
• James 3:6

Recommended Reading

Commentary Mark Commentaries → Get This Bible Amharic Tigrinya Study Bible →

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a person truly clean or unclean according to this verse?

According to Mark 7:20, it's not what goes into a person that defiles them, but what comes out from within. This means our thoughts and actions, rather than external things like food, determine our true state.

How does this verse relate to today’s societal views on purity?

This verse challenges the idea that external behaviors are more important than internal moral or spiritual condition. Today, it can remind us to focus on personal integrity and ethical actions over outward appearances alone.

Can you give an example of how this principle applies in a workplace?

If someone lies to cover up their mistakes at work, the lie stems from internal motives like fear or pride. This verse teaches that these internal issues are what truly 'defile' a person and affect others negatively.

How does this relate to Jesus’ teachings on forgiveness?

This relates because true forgiveness involves addressing the root cause of wrongdoing (the heart) rather than just external actions. It means changing our thoughts and motives before forgiving others or seeking forgiveness ourselves.