The Meaning of Mark 7:22 Explained

Mark 7:22

KJV: Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

YLT: thefts, covetous desires, wickedness, deceit, arrogance, an evil eye, evil speaking, pride, foolishness;

Darby: thefts, covetousness, wickednesses, deceit, licentiousness, a wicked eye, injurious language, haughtiness, folly;

ASV: covetings, wickednesses, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, railing, pride, foolishness:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Thefts,  covetousness,  wickedness,  deceit,  lasciviousness,  an evil  eye,  blasphemy,  pride,  foolishness: 

What does Mark 7:22 Mean?

Context Summary

Mark 7:1-23 - Breaking The Bonds Of Tradition
The Pharisees laid great stress on ritual. They followed endless rules, both intricate and troublesome, as to ablutions and outward ceremonials. So long as their devotees were careful in the minor observances, they were permitted a wide license so far as the weightier matters of the Law were concerned. This is a natural tendency of the human heart. It is glad to be able to reduce its religious life to an outward and literal obedience, if only its thoughts may be unhampered. In the life of true holiness everything depends on the control of the thoughts. "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." With infinite wisdom the wise man said, "Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life," and Jesus put "evil-thoughts" first in the black category of the contents of the evil heart. A gang of thieves sometimes put a very small boy through a tiny window that he may unlock the front door. So one evil thought will often admit an entire crew of evil. Heart of mine, hast thou learned this lesson? Art thou careful enough of thy cleanliness? That the hands should be often washed, that vessels of household use should be kept cleansed, that there should be decorum and neatness in the outward life, all these customs are good. But it becomes thee to inquire whether thou art not more eager for the outward than the inward cleanliness. "Create in me a clean heart," should be thy constant prayer. [source]

Chapter Summary: Mark 7

1  The Pharisees find fault with the disciples for eating with unwashed hands
8  They break the commandment of God by the traditions of men
14  Food defiles not the man
24  He heals the Syrophenician woman's daughter of an unclean spirit;
31  and one that was deaf, and stammered in his speech

Greek Commentary for Mark 7:22

Wickedness [πονμρίαι]
Plural. Rev., wickedness. From πονεῖν , to toil. The adjective πονμρός means, first, oppressed by toils; then in bad case or plight, from which it runs into the sense of morally bad. This conception seems to have been associated by the high-born with the life of the lower, laboring, slavish class; just as our word knave (like the German knabe from which it is derived) originally meant simply a boy or a servant-lad. As πόνος means hard, vigorous labor, battle for instance, so the adjective πονμρός , in a moral sense, indicates active wickedness. So Jeremy Taylor: “Aptness to do shrewd turns, to delight in mischiefs and tragedies; a loving to trouble one's neighbor and do him ill offices.” Πονμρός , therefore, is dangerous, destructive. Satan is called ὁ πονηρός , the wicked one. Κακός , evil (see evil thoughts, Mark 7:21), characterizes evil rather as defect: “That which is not such as, according to its nature, destination, and idea it might be or ought to be” (Cremer). Hence of incapacity in war; of cowardice ( κακία ) κακὸς δοῦλος , the evil servant, in Matthew 24:48, is a servant wanting in proper fidelity and diligence. Thus the thoughts are styled evil, as being that which, in their nature and purpose, they ought not to be. Matthew, however (Matthew 15:19), calls these thoughts πονηροί , the thoughts in action, taking shape in purpose. Both adjectives occur in Revelation 16:2. [source]
Lasciviousness [ἀσέλγεια]
Derivation unknown. It includes lasciviousness, and may well mean that here; but is often used without this notion. In classical Greek it is defined as violence, with spiteful treatment and audacity. As in this passage its exact meaning is not implied by its being classed with other kindred terms, it would seem better to take it in as wide a sense as possible - that of lawless insolence and wanton caprice, and to render, with Trench, wantonness, since that word, as he remarks, “stands in remarkable ethical connection with ἀσέλγεια , and has the same duplicity of meaning” (“Synonyms of the New Testament”). At Romans 13:13, where lasciviousness seems to be the probable meaning, from its association with chambering ( οίταις )it is rendered wantonness in A. V. and Rev., as also at 2 Peter 2:18. [source]
Evil eye [ὀφθαλμὸς πονηρὸς]
A malicious, mischief-working eye, with the meaning of positive, injurious, activity. See (above) on wickednesses. [source]
Blasphemy [βλασφημία]
The word does not necessarily imply blasphemy against God. It is used of reviling, calumny, evil-speaking in general. See Matthew 27:39; Romans 3:8; Romans 14:16; 1 Peter 4:4, etc. Hence Rev. renders railing. [source]
Pride [ὑπερηφανία]
From ὑπέρ , above, and φαίνεσθαι , to show one's self. The picture in the word is that of a man with his head held high above others. It is the sin of an uplifted heart against God and man. Compare Proverbs 16:5; Romans 12:16 (mind not high things ) 1 Timothy 3:6. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Mark 7:22

Luke 3:19 Evils [πονηρῶν]
Of several words in the New Testament denoting evil, this emphasizes evil in its activity. Hence Satan is ὁ πονηρός ,the evil one. An evil eye (Mark 7:22) is a mischief-working eye. See on Mark 7:22. [source]
John 3:19 Evil [πονηρὰ]
Actively evil. See on Mark 7:22; see on Luke 3:19. [source]
Acts 13:10 Of all guile [παντος δολου]
From δελω — delō to catch with bait, old word, already seen in Matthew 26:4; Mark 7:22; Mark 14:1. Paul denounces Elymas as a trickster. [source]
Romans 14:16 Be evil spoken of [βλασφημείσθω]
See on blasphemy, Mark 7:22. In 1 Corinthians 10:30, it is used of evil-speaking by members of the Church, which favors the reference of good to the strong. [source]
Romans 13:13 Wantonness [ἀσελγείαις]
See on lasciviousness, Mark 7:22. All these three are plural: riotings, drunkennesses, wantonnesses. [source]
Romans 1:30 Proud [ὑπερηφάνους]
Rev., haughty. See on pride, Mark 7:22. [source]
Romans 1:29 Wickedness [πονηρίᾳ]
See on Mark 7:22. [source]
2 Corinthians 12:21 Lasciviousness [ἀσελγείᾳ]
See on Mark 7:22. [source]
Galatians 5:19 Lasciviousness [ἀσελγεια]
See on Mark 7:22. [source]
Galatians 3:1 Hath bewitched [ἐβάσκανεν]
N.T.oIn Class. with accusative, to slander, malign; with dative, to envy, grudge, use ill words to another, bewitch by spells. For the verb in lxx, see Deuteronomy 28:54, Deuteronomy 28:56; Proverbs href="/desk/?q=pr+23:6&sr=1">Proverbs 23:6; Proverbs 28:22(having an evil eye ); 18:18; 37:11 (envious ). See also Aristoph. Knights, 103; Plut. 571 (slanderous, a calumniator ). Ignatius (Rom. iii.) uses it of grudging the triumph of martyrdom. The two ideas of envy or malice and the evil eye combine in the Lat. invidere, to look maliciously. The ὀφθαλμὸς evileye is found Mark href="/desk/?q=mr+7:22&sr=1">Mark 7:22. Paul's metaphor here is: who hath cast an evil spell upon you? Chrysostom, followed by Lightfoot, thinks that the passage indicates, not only the baleful influence on the Galatians, but also the envious spirit of the false teachers who envy them their liberty in Christ. This is doubtful. [source]
Ephesians 4:31 Evil-speaking [βλασφημία]
See on Mark 7:22. [source]
Ephesians 4:19 Lasciviousness [ἀσελγείᾷ]
See on Mark 7:22. [source]
Colossians 4:13 Zeal [ζῆλον]
Read πόνον laborwhich occurs elsewhere only in Revelation 16:10, Revelation 16:11; Revelation 21:4, in the sense of pain. Πονος laboris from the root of πένομαι towork for one's daily bread, and thence to be poor. Πόνος toil πένης onewho works for his daily bread, and πονηρός wickedhave a common root. See on wickedness, Mark 7:22. In their original conceptions, κόπος labor(1 Corinthians 15:58; 2 Corinthians 6:5) emphasizes the fatigue of labor: μόχθος hardlabor (2 Corinthians 11:27; 1 Thessalonians 2:9), the hardship: πόνος theeffort, but πόνος has passed, in the New Testament, in every instance but this, into the meaning of pain. [source]
Colossians 3:8 Blasphemy [βλασφημίαν]
See on Mark 7:22. Compare Romans 3:8; Romans 14:16; 1 Corinthians 4:13; Ephesians 4:31. Rev. railing. [source]
1 Timothy 6:1 Be not blasphemed [μη - βλασφημῆται]
Or be evil spoken of. See on blasphemy, Mark 7:22, and be evil spoken of, Romans 14:16; 1 Corinthians 10:30. Paul uses the word, but not in the active voice as in the Pastorals. [source]
1 Timothy 1:13 Blasphemer - persecutor - injurious [βλάσφημον - διώκτην - ὑβριστήν]
Neither βλάσφημος nor διώκτης is used by Paul. Βλάσφημος in Acts 7:11; 2 Peter 2:11; διώκτης N.T.o ὑβριστής in Romans 1:30only; often in lxx. See on blasphemy Mark 7:22, and comp. 1 Corinthians 10:30. Ὑβριστής is one whose insolence and contempt of others break forth in wanton and outrageous acts. Paul was ὑβριστής when he persecuted the church. He was ὑβρισθείς shamefullyentreated at Philippi (1 Thessalonians 2:2). Christ prophesies that the Son of man shall be shamefully entreated ( ὑβρισθήσεται , Luke 18:32). Similar regretful references of Paul to his former career appear in Acts 22:4; Galatians 1:13, Galatians 1:23. Such a passage may have occurred in some Pauline letters to which this writer had access, or it may be an imitation. [source]
2 Timothy 3:2 Proud [ὑπερήφανοι]
Or haughty. See on ὑπερηφανία pride Mark 7:22. [source]
2 Timothy 3:2 Blasphemers [βλάσφημοι]
See on 1 Timothy 1:13. Better, railers. See also on, βλασφημία blasphemy Mark 7:22. [source]
James 4:6 Proud []
See on Mark 7:22. [source]
1 Peter 5:5 The proud [ὑπερηφάνοις]
See on pride, Mark 7:22. Compare James 4:6. [source]
1 Peter 4:3 Lasciviousness [ἀσελγείαις]
The following enumeration of vices is characteristic of Peter's style in its fulness and condensation. He enumerates six forms of sensuality, three personal and three social: (1) Ἀσελγείαις , wantonness. See on Mark 7:22. Excesses of all kinds, with possibly an emphasis on sins of uncleanness. (2) Ἐπιθυμίαις ,lusts. See on Mark 4:19. Pointing especially to fleshly lusts, “the inner principles of licentiousness” (Cook). (3) Οἰνοφλυγίαις ,excess of wine. Only here in New Testament. The kindred verb occurs in the Septuagint, Deuteronomy 21:20; Isaiah 56:12. From οἶνος , wine, and φλέω or φλύω , to teem with abundance; thence to boil over or bubble up, overflow. It is the excessive, insatiate desire for drink, from which comes the use of the word for the indulgence of the desire- debauch. So Rev., wine-bibbings. The remaining three are revellings, banquetings, and idolatries. [source]
1 John 2:13 The evil one [τὸν πονηρόν]
See on wickedness, Mark 7:22; see on evils, Luke 3:19; see on evil spirits, Luke 7:21. The prince of darkness is styled by John ὁ διάβολος thefalse accuser (John 8:44; John 13:2; 1 John 3:8, 1 John 3:10. See on Matthew 4:1): ὁ Σατανᾶς Satanthe adversary (John 13:27; compare ὁ κατήγωρ theaccuser, properly, in court, Revelation 12:10): ὁ πονηρός theevil one (John 17:15; 1 John 2:13, 1 John 2:14; 1 John 3:12; 1 John 5:18, 1 John 5:19): ὁ ἄρχων τοῦ κόσμου τούτου theruler of this world (John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11). Note the abrupt introduction of the word here, as indicating something familiar. [source]
Revelation 2:9 Blasphemy [βλασφημίαν]
See on Mark 7:22. Not primarily direct blasphemy against God, but reviling at believers. [source]
Revelation 2:9 Blasphemy [βλασπημιαν]
Reviling believers in Christ. See Mark 7:22. The precise charge by these Jews is not indicated, but see Acts 13:45. [source]
Revelation 2:9 But thou art rich [αλλα πλουσιος ει]
Parenthesis to show the spiritual riches of this church in contrast with the spiritual poverty in Laodicea (Revelation 3:17), this a rich poor church, that a poor rich church. Rich in grace toward God (Luke 12:21) and in good deeds (1 Timothy 6:18). Perhaps Jews and pagans had pillaged their property (Hebrews 10:34), poor as they already were.Blasphemy (βλασπημιαν — blasphēmian). Reviling believers in Christ. See Mark 7:22. The precise charge by these Jews is not indicated, but see Acts 13:45.Of them which say “From those saying” This is the accusative of general reference and the infinitive in indirect discourse after λεγω — legō (Acts 5:36; Acts 8:9) even though λεγοντων — legontōn is here ablative (cf. Revelation 3:9), common idiom. These are actual Jews and only Jews, not Christians.And they are not Another parenthesis like that in Revelation 2:2. These are Jews in name only, not spiritual Jews (Galatians 6:15., Romans 2:28).A synagogue of Satan (συναγωγη του Σατανα — sunagōgē tou Satanā). In Revelation 3:9 again and note Revelation 2:13, Revelation 2:24, serving the devil (John 8:44) instead of the Lord (Numbers 16:3; Numbers 20:4). [source]

What do the individual words in Mark 7:22 mean?

covetous desires wickednesses deceit sensuality an eye evil slander pride foolishness
πλεονεξίαι πονηρίαι δόλος ἀσέλγεια ὀφθαλμὸς πονηρός βλασφημία ὑπερηφανία ἀφροσύνη

πλεονεξίαι  covetous  desires 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Plural
Root: πλεονεξία  
Sense: greedy desire to have more, covetousness, avarice.
πονηρίαι  wickednesses 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Plural
Root: πονηρία  
Sense: depravity, iniquity, wickedness.
δόλος  deceit 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: δόλος  
Sense: craft, deceit, guile.
ἀσέλγεια  sensuality 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀσέλγεια  
Sense: unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence.
ὀφθαλμὸς  an  eye 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ὀφθαλμός  
Sense: the eye.
πονηρός  evil 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: πονηρός  
Sense: full of labours, annoyances, hardships.
βλασφημία  slander 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: βλασφημία  
Sense: slander, detraction, speech injurious, to another’s good name.
ὑπερηφανία  pride 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: ὑπερηφανία  
Sense: pride, haughtiness, arrogance.
ἀφροσύνη  foolishness 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀφροσύνη  
Sense: foolishness, folly, senselessness.