But he said: Are you also yet without understanding?
ο δε ιησους ειπεν ακμην και υμεις ασυνετοι εστε
9 Church Fathers comment on this verse
The Savior admonishes the disciples for their lack of understanding and their susceptibility to temptation, highlighting their failure to grasp what should have been evident to them. He questions, "Have ye not understood that which is clear and more than clear to all?"
If the Lord imparts wisdom, and from His presence flows knowledge and understanding, as stated in Proverbs 2:6, and if it is written that the Spirit bestows the word of wisdom to some and the word of knowledge to others (1 Corinthians 12:8), then why does the Lord ask the disciples if they still lack understanding? Why does the Apostle label some as foolish (Romans 1:31)? The answer lies in the recognition of God's goodness, who desires that all should find salvation and come to know the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). One must also acknowledge the diligence of the Holy Spirit in distributing and activating the gifts of God. Therefore, the sluggishness of understanding must not be attributed to the negligence of the Giver, but rather to the disbelief of those who receive His gifts. Thus, the one who is deemed foolish is rightly rebuked, akin to someone who covers their eyes against the dawning sun, choosing to dwell in darkness rather than lifting their gaze to embrace the light.
He receives a warning from the Lord for interpreting a straightforward lesson through an allegorical lens. This demonstrates that a listener who seeks to turn obscure matters into something evident, or to grasp plainly stated ideas in a hidden context, is flawed.
Jesus asked, "Do you have no mysteries yet? For it has been granted to you to understand the secrets of the kingdom of God."
What, then, is the significance of the puzzling statement, "It shall not enter into the mouth"? Does it invalidate the Mosaic laws concerning clean and unclean foods, or does it not? If it does, how can this be reconciled with the Lord's respect for the law, which led Him to dismiss the tradition of the Korban? Conversely, if it does not invalidate those laws, how should it be interpreted? The disciples were uncertain about this and sought clarification from the Lord. Peter requested that the Lord elucidate this parable. In response, the Lord, surprised by their lack of comprehension, stated that food, as an outward entity, cannot create internal moral impurity. However, this does not imply that all food is neutral for humanity.
As long as God's laws are in place, violating them by consuming improper food will render a person unclean, as it originates from a heart that disregards these laws and satisfies the flesh. The other aspect of the parable conveys that the source of moral defilement resides within the human heart, indicating that those who aspire to maintain purity before God must seek to cleanse their hearts. The Lord did not address the laws regarding clean and unclean foods, which were meant to be rendered obsolete with the end of the old covenant and the initiation of the New Covenant between God and humanity, establishing a spiritual law within the hearts of the new Israel. Nevertheless, He made it clear to His disciples that the external laws are still significantly lower than the internal ones.
After denouncing the Pharisees' hypocrisy, the Lord drew the crowd nearer and enlightened them about what constitutes true uncleanness that corrupts a person and leads to guilt before God. He conveyed a fundamental principle: that what enters the mouth does not make a person unclean, but rather what emerges from the mouth can render a person impure. Following this teaching, the Lord went into a house, and His disciples approached Him with news (mentioned only by Matthew) that the Pharisees had taken offense at His teaching. The Apostles might have felt some concern that the words of Jesus, meant for their instruction, were instead seen as a temptation by the Pharisees, or they themselves might have been unsettled by His declaration regarding what truly defiles a person (v. 11).
The saying about defilement from what comes into the mouth had scandalized the Pharisees; they had become so accustomed to the necessity of handwashing for spiritual cleanliness that they viewed Jesus' words as a challenge to their established rituals. They could also have been offended because Jesus directly addressed the crowd, undermining their authority.
In response to the news of the Pharisees’ offense, Christ either denounces their man-made doctrine, which does not derive from God and should thus be rejected, or He refers to the Pharisees themselves, suggesting they have deviated from God’s guidance. Though they are considered shepherds and instructors of the people, they are not God's chosen plants, meaning they do not follow God's laws and are not aligned with His will, thus lacking His favor. They are destined to fall away (cf. 13:29-30). Therefore, He urged to leave them be; this can be understood as both a warning to avoid their teachings or a call to cease worrying about them and let them be.
After this, Peter, speaking for all the disciples, requested clarification regarding the Lord’s perplexing statement about the nature of defilement linked to what enters or exits the mouth. The Lord clearly explained that what enters into the mouth refers to food, while what comes out signifies the evil thoughts, desires, and intentions that arise from the heart. The latter, as revealed through words, demonstrate the impurity of the human spirit, while food enters and exits the body without impacting the soul.
Do you still not comprehend, asked Christ? Do you not realize that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him unclean? (Mark 7:18). It does not render him unclean, as it does not reach his heart, but rather the stomach, and is expelled, thus purifying all food (Mk. 7:19). What truly renders a person unclean is what comes out of the mouth, which is from the heart; for from within, out of the human heart, arise evil thoughts, adultery, sexual immorality, murder, theft, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness — all these evils come from within and defile a man (Mk. 7:21-23). Eating with unwashed hands does not compromise a person’s purity. There is nothing further to clarify regarding the words of Jesus Christ; everything is evident.
Nonetheless, some people interpret these words to suggest that Christ dismissed the practice of fasting. We cannot support this interpretation. Fasting, whether through total abstention from food or consuming meals in minimal quantities just to sustain life, has long been acknowledged as an effective means of overcoming the desires of the flesh. Many striving for a life that is not driven by base instincts, but rather guided by reason, have always sought to restrain their passions and bring them under control; they understood that plentiful food, particularly certain types (such as meat and wine), can greatly arouse the appetites and render one oblivious to the prompting of conscience. Thus, these individuals would either abstain completely from all food for a certain period or limit their intake of meat and wine, or adhere to a very modest diet overall. Jesus Himself encouraged His disciples to battle against the flesh and set an example by fasting for forty days in the wilderness. Therefore, it cannot be concluded from His statement, “Not that which enters into the mouth defiles a man,” that He dismissed the significance and necessity of fasting. He merely indicated that what defiles a man, rendering him unworthy of the Kingdom of Heaven, consists of evil thoughts and wrong actions, not the act of eating or the lack of ritual purity valued by the Pharisees. He made it clear that eating without washing one’s hands does not defile a person, and with this affirmation, He clarified any confusion regarding the true essence of this discussion.
"You do not comprehend either," for it has been granted to you to grasp the secrets of the kingdom of God (Matt. 13:11). The Lord admonishes the disciples and corrects them for their lack of understanding, either due to temptation or their failure to grasp His teachings (Theophilus), or "to eradicate bias" (Chrysostom).
The disciples' inability to grasp the profound truths of the Kingdom of Heaven, which had been revealed to them (Matt. 13:11), was indeed worthy of correction. In response, Jesus Christ questioned them, asking: "Are you also without understanding? Do you not perceive that anything that enters a person from the outside cannot make them unclean? It does not enter the heart, but rather the stomach, and is eliminated, thus rendering all food clean. But what comes out of the mouth stems from the heart, and this is what defiles a person."
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 8 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS