Connecting With Jesus

All Meats Clean

Does the Bible teach that all meats were pronounced clean by Christ?

“He said to them, ‘Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?” (Mark 7:18, 19).

Some Bible translators modify these words saying “thus purifying all foods.” For instance, in the English Standard Version, it is marked as” (Thus he declared all fods clean.)” But this is not at all intended the original Greek.

The question being considered had nothing to do with any particular food, but rather eating without ceremonially washed hands. The word used for “purifying” in this verse comes from the Greek”katharizo,” which is where we get the word “cauterize,” meaning to burn or purge. Jesus was explaining that what you eat with dirty hands does not defile you because it basically passes through your digestive system and purges or purifies the food.

The Pharisees believed that if you ate food with “unwashed” hands, you would become defiled by the Gentiles, who might have touched you or your food. It’s really a “how you eat” question, not a “what you eat” debate. Jesus was teaching that people who are overly concerned about being defiled by touching something need to understand that sin has more to do with the mind and heart.

Another way to clarify this issue is by considering the word for “meat” in the King James Bible. The original Greek word, broma, is better translated as “food.” Further evidence that Jesus did not discard the health laws is found in the apostle Peter’s comment in the book of Acts, which took place many years after when a per Jesus’ statement in Mark. He tells the Lord, “I have never eaten anything common or unclean” (Acts 10:14). Peter’s experience in Acts also did not have anything to do with actual food.

Jesus was telling people that the man-made laws of the Pharisees regarding endless ceremonial washings were unnecessary. Bumping into a Gentile did not make you or your dishes unclean. Spending lots of time washing cups and plates missed the more important message of having a clean heart.

Dear Jesus, wash my heart clean. Purify my motives. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness today.

For Further Study: 1 Corinthians 6:19,20;3:17; 10:31

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 KJV
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? [20] For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Corinthians 3:17 KJV
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

1 Corinthians 10:31 KJV
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.