Mark 7:15

οὐδὲν ἔστιν ἔξωθεν κ.τ.λ. This illuminating principle is given by Mk in the most comprehensive terms; There is nothing external to a man which by entering into him can defile him. Mt. narrows it by limiting it to meat and drink. Externals cannot pollute a man, because they do not touch the man’s self, but only his body. Epictetus enlarges on this difference; e.g. Dis. i. 19. Plato points out that what enters into the mouth is perishable, but what comes out of it, viz. speech, may be imperishable (Tim. 75 D). Cf. Deuteronomy 23:23. Like other parabolic utterances of Christ, this Saying was not understood even by the Twelve at the time, nor indeed even after Pentecost (Acts 10:14). But when this Gospel was written the practical result of this principle was recognized;—Levitical prohibitions of certain foods as unclean had been abolished (Mark 7:19 b). The art., τοῦ or τὸν ἄνθρ., is generic, as in Mark 2:27; Mark 4:21. For the aor. infin. see on Mark 1:41. Syr-Sin. omits ἔξωθεν as superfluous.

ἀλλά. “On the contrary, the things which defile the man, are the thoughts, words, and deeds which come out of him.” As both τὰ ἐκπορευόμενα and τὰ κοινοῦντα have the art., either may be the subject. The repetition of τὸν ἄνθρ. instead of using a pronoun is characteristic; cf. Mark 4:37.