The apostles ask Jesus to explain the analogy about what makes a person common. Jesus sets up this line by saying that what goes into a person doesn't hurt them.
Mark 7:19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
Mark 7:19 For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.”
Because it isn't made to go into there, into the heart. Instead into the gut and into the toilet: it is made to go out, cleansing all these foods.
This verse is a toilet joke, perhaps the earliest recorded, and the broadest form of humor, and, of course, the punchline is either confused or eliminated (pun intended) in translation. The joke is that Jesus says, quite literally, that all foods are cleansed by their being dumped into the toilet. The next verse is a second punchline and the verse after that a more polite explanation.
Most of this verse is bracketed by the verbs meaning "enter/go into" and "exist/go out of" which are the same verb but with different prefixes. Both verbs are passive with the sense of "is made to go it/out." The food isn't doing this, but is the passive object of the action.
The word translated as "his" follows the verb and it not related to "heart." It most likely means "there" because it is used as an adverb.
The word translated as "draught" means "toilet." The last part of this verse is left out of the NIV and other modern Bibles entirely, seemingly because having Jesus speaking of going to the toilet was too much for people. Instead, these Bibles add a note about Jesus declaring all foods are clean.
- WV --Wrong Voice - The verb here is translated as active but it is passive.
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "his" does not modify the noun but is the object of the verb, "into him."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "heart" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
- WV --Wrong Voice - The verb here is translated as active but it is passive.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "purging" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "meats" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "meats" does not capture the word's general meaning.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "go" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- WV --Wrong Voice - The verb here is translated as active but it is passive.
- WV --Wrong Voice - The verb here is translated as active but it is passive.
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "their" does not modify the noun but is the object of the verb, "into him."
- WN --Wrong Number- The word "their" is translated as plural but the Greek word is singular.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "heart" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "their" should be something more like "the."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "then" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "is made to go out" is not shown in the English translation.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "of the body." doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "into" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "toilet" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "cleaning" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "all" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "foods" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "foods" is not shown in the English translation.
Because -- The word translated as "because" introduces a statement of fact or cause.
it - This is from the singular form of the following verb.
entereth -- (WV) "Enters" is a verb that means "lead in", "go into," and "enter." It combines a prefix meaning "in" with a root verb that means "make to go", "carry", "convey", "bring", "go", "march," and "proceed." The passive form of the verb changes it to "is made to enter."
not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea.
into -- The word translated as "into" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, and "up to" limits in time and measure.
his -- (WF) The word translated as "his" is the Greek word commonly translated as pronouns in English. Here, it is not associated with the noun "heart", coming after the transitive verb with a prefix of "into." This is also the adverbial form meaning "there" which is the simplest translation. It could also be what is called the "objective genitive." The sense is "goes into him" by the "into the heart" following.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
heart, -- "Heart" is the Greek word that means "heart" both the physical organ and as the seat of emotions, which we discuss in a larger Greek context in this article here. However, this phrase can be read as defining the "heart" and both the "soul" and "the mind".
but -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus often uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this."
into -- The word translated as "into" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, and "up to" limits in time and measure.
the -- The untranslated word here is "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
belly, "Belly" is from the Greek noun that means the "cavity within the body" from a word meaning "hollow". It means both the belly, the intestines, and the womb. The word is also used to mean "excrement," which fills the hollow.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also")
goeth - (WV) "Goes out" is a verb that means "to make to go out", "to fetch out," and "to march out." It is the same root as the word above translated as "enters" but with a prefix meaning "out from" instead of "into." The passive form of the verb changes it to "is made to go out."
out -- This is from the prefix of the previous verb that means "out."
into -- The word translated as "into" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, and "up to" limits in time and measure.
the -- The untranslated word here is "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
draught, - "Draught" is a word that only appears in the NT here to describe a place for dumping human waste. It means literally "separate from sitting." Jesus only uses it here and in a similar verse in Matthew 15:17. A similar word was used in the Greek translation of Lev 12:5 to describe the separation of a woman bleeding after childbirth. The source seems to be a vulgar Macedonian word.
purging - (CW) The Greek word translated as "purging," means to remove dirt. It is used for a lot of specific types of "cleaning" including cleansing a person of leprosy, but it also has a general meaning of "purifying" anything. It is a broader term than "purging."
all -- The word translated as "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all", "the whole", "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way", "on every side," and "altogether."
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
meats? -- (CW) "Meats" is another uncommon word for Jesus, but a common word in ancient Greek. It means "meat," "food," or literally, "things eaten." The concept is more general so "foods." It is plural.
For -- The word translated as "that" introduces a statement of fact or cause.
it - This is from the singular form of the following verb.
does -- This English helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in translation from Greek
n’t -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea.
go -- (CW, WV) "Go" is a verb that means "lead in", "go into," and "enter." It combines a prefix meaning "in" with a root verb that means "make to go", "carry", "convey", "bring", "go", "march," and "proceed." The form of this word indicates that it does this by itself. This verbs prefix means "into" so "enter" works best.
into -- The word translated as "into" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, and "up to" limits in time and measure.
their -- (WF, WN) The word translated as "his" is the Greek word commonly translated as pronouns in English. Here, it is not associated with the noun "heart", coming after the transitive verb with the prefix of "into." This is also the adverbial form meaning "there," which is the simplest translation. It could also be what is called the "objective genitive." The sense is "goes into him" by the "into the heart" following.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
heart, -- "Heart" is the Greek word that means "heart" both the physical organ and as the seat of emotions, which we discuss in a larger Greek context in this article here. However, this phrase can be read as defining the "heart" and both the "soul" and "the mind".
but -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus often uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this."
into -- The word translated as "into" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, and "up to" limits in time and measure.
their -- (WW) The untranslated word here is "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
stomach, - "Belly" is from the Greek noun that means the "cavity within the body" from a word meaning "hollow". It means both the belly, the intestines, and the womb. The word is also used to mean "excrement," which fills the hollow.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also")
then -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "then" in the Greek source.
missing "is made to go" -- (MW) The untranslated word "is made to go" is a verb that means "to make to go out", "to fetch out," and "to march out." It is the same root as the word above translated as "enters" but with a prefix meaning "out from" instead of "into." The passive form of the verb changes it to "is made to go out."
out -- This is from the prefix of the previous verb that means "out."
of the body.” -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "of the body." in the Greek source.
missing "into" -- (MW) The untranslated word "into" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, and "up to" limits in time and measure.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
missing "toilet" -- (MW) The untranslated word is a word that only appears in the NT here to describe a place for dumping human waste. It means literally "separate from sitting." Jesus only uses it here and in a similar verse in Matthew 15:17. A similar word was used in the Greek translation of Lev 12:5 to describe the separation of a woman bleeding after childbirth. The source seems to be a vulgar Macedonian word.
missing "cleaning" -- (MW) The untranslated word "cleaning," means to remove dirt. It is used for a lot of specific types of "cleaning" including cleansing a person of leprosy but it also has a general meaning of "purifying" anything.
missing "all " -- (MW) The untranslated word "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all", "the whole", "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way", "on every side," and "altogether."
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
missing "foods" -- (MW) The untranslated word "foods" is another uncommon word for Jesus, but a common word in ancient Greek. It means "meat," "food," or literally, "things eaten." The concept is more general so "foods." It is plural.
ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "Because" is hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that", "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what", "because", "since," and "wherefore."
οὐκ [269 verses](partic) "Not" is ou which is the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. The other negative adverb, μή applies to will and thought; οὐ denies, μή rejects; οὐ is absolute, μή relative; οὐ objective, μή subjective.
εἰσπορεύεται [10 verses]( verb 3rd sg pres ind mp) "Entereth" is eisporeuomai, which means "lead in", "go into," and "enter." It combines "eis," which means "in" with poreuô (poreuomai), which means "make to go", "carry", "convey", "bring", "go", "march," and "proceed."
αὐτοῦ [242 verses](adv, adj sg masc gen) "His" is from autou, which is the adjective used as third-person pronouns in the singular, genitive form. However, this is also the adverbial form meaning "there."
εἰς [325 verses](prep) "Into" is eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)", "until (of time)", "as much as (of measure or limit)", "as far as (of measure or limit)", "towards (to express relation)", "in regard to (to express relation)", "of an end or limit," and "for (of purpose or object)."
τὴν [821 verses](article sg fem acc ) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
καρδίαν [37 verses] ( noun sg fem acc ) "Heart" is kardia, which means "heart (the physical organ)", "the seat of emotions (especially passion, rage, and anger)", "inclination", "desire," "purpose", "mind", "the pith (in wood), and "the deep (of the sea)."
ἀλλ᾽ [154 verses] (adv) "But" is alla, which means "otherwise", "but", "still", "at least", "except", "yet," nevertheless", "rather", "moreover," and "nay."
εἰς [325 verses](prep) "Into" is eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)", "until (of time)", "as much as (of measure or limit)", "as far as (of measure or limit)", "towards (to express relation)", "in regard to (to express relation)", "of an end or limit," and "for (of purpose or object)."
τὴν [821 verses](article sg fem acc ) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
κοιλίαν, [6 verses ]( noun sg fem acc ) "Belly" is from the Greek, koilia, which means the "cavity within the body" (from the Greek, koilos, for "hollow"). It means both the belly, the intestines, and the womb. The word is also used to mean "excrement," which fills the hollow.
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just."
εἰς [325 verses](prep) "Into" is eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)", "until (of time)", "as much as (of measure or limit)", "as far as (of measure or limit)", "towards (to express relation)", "in regard to (to express relation)", "of an end or limit," and "for (of purpose or object)."
τὸν [821 verses](article sg masc acc ) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
ἀφεδρῶνα [2 verses]( noun sg masc acc ) "Draught" is aphedron, which means "privy" or "toilet." It is a word that only three times in ancient Greek, here, in the parallel verse in Matthew and in a religious text work by Clement of Alexandria, writing ain appears in the NT here to describe a place for dumping human waste. It means literally "separate from sitting." A similar word was used in the Greek translation of Lev 12:5 to describe the separation of a woman bleeding after childbirth. The source seems to be a vulgar Macedonian word.
ἐκπορεύεται; [11 verses]( verb 3rd sg pres ind mp) "Goes out" is from ekporeuomai, which means "to make to go out", "to fetch out," and "to march out."
—καθαρίζων [12 verses]( part sg pres act masc nom ) "Purging" is katharizo, which means "to clean", "to clear the ground of weeds,""prune away", "to remove dirt", "to purify,"and "to remove impurities." It is also used to describe the removal of the inedible parts from grain (winnowing), clearing weeds from a field, pruning a plant and so on.--
πάντα [212 verses] ( adj pl neut acc ) "All" is pas, which means "all", "the whole", "every", "anyone", "all kinds," and "anything." In the adverbial form, it means "every way", "on every side", "in every way," and "altogether."
τὰ [821 verses](article pl neut acc ) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
βρώματα. [2 verses]( noun pl neut acc )"Meats" is from broma, which means "that which is eaten", "food," and "meat."
A contrast of the word meaning "going in" and "going out."