Lexical Summary aphedrón: Latrine, place of discharge, privy Original Word: ἀφεδρών Strong's Exhaustive Concordance draught. From a compound of apo and the base of hedraios; a place of sitting apart, i.e. A privy -- draught. see GREEK apo see GREEK hedraios NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom apo and hedraios Definition a place of sitting apart, i.e. a privy, drain NASB Translation eliminated* (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 856: ἀφεδρώνἀφεδρών, ἀφεδρωνος, ὁ, apparently a word of Macedonian origin, which Suidas calls 'barbarous'; the place into which the alvine discharges are voided; a privy, sink; found only in Matthew 15:17; Mark 7:19. It appears to be derived not from ἀφ' ἑδρων,a podicibus, but from ἄφεδρος, the same Macedon. word which in Leviticus 12:5; Leviticus 15:19ff answers to the Hebrew נִדָּהsordes menstruorum. Cf. Fischer's full discussion of the word in his De vitiis lexamples N. T., p. 698ff Topical Lexicon Term Overview Strong’s Greek 856, aphedrōn, appears twice in the New Testament and denotes the place where bodily waste is expelled. Both occurrences are in parallel statements by Jesus Christ clarifying that foods themselves cannot defile a person (Matthew 15:17; Mark 7:19). Biblical Context in the Teachings of Jesus Matthew 15:17 records Jesus’ question, “Do you not yet realize that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then is eliminated?”. Mark 7:19 echoes the same logic: “For it does not enter his heart, but it goes into the stomach and then is eliminated.” Jesus employs the commonplace reality of a latrine to illustrate a profound spiritual truth. The immediate issue was Pharisaic criticism that the disciples ate without the ritual handwashing prescribed by tradition (Matthew 15:1-2; Mark 7:1-5). Jesus demonstrates that external intake passes through the digestive system and exits the body, leaving the heart—the seat of moral and spiritual life—untouched. Thus He shifts the focus from ritual purity to internal righteousness. Cultural and Historical Background First-century Judaism held numerous ceremonial regulations concerning food and bodily cleanliness derived from the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 11; Deuteronomy 14). Rabbinic tradition added layers of oral regulations, including elaborate hand-washing rites. Latrines themselves, often situated outside village walls or homes, were considered unclean spaces. By invoking the latrine, Jesus references an everyday reality His listeners knew well, cutting through layers of religious formalism with an illustration impossible to spiritualize away. Theological and Symbolic Implications 1. True Source of Defilement: Jesus’ teaching reaches its climax in Matthew 15:18-20 and Mark 7:20-23, where He names evil thoughts, murder, adultery, and similar sins as what truly defile. The latrine imagery underscores the temporary, passing nature of dietary matters versus the enduring moral weight of heart issues. Practical Ministry Application • Discernment in Teaching: Ministers must guard against elevating traditions or preferences to the level of divine command. Related Scriptures and Themes Leviticus 11:44-45; Isaiah 29:13; Psalm 51:10; Jeremiah 17:9-10; Acts 10:15; Romans 14:14; 1 Timothy 4:3-5; Hebrews 13:9; James 1:27. Conclusion Aphedrōn serves as a vivid reminder that what is merely physical is transient, whereas moral purity springs from a regenerated heart. Jesus’ use of this humble term dismantles ritualistic barriers, heralds the universality of the gospel, and calls every believer to pursue holiness from the inside out. Forms and Transliterations αφεδρωνα αφεδρώνα ἀφεδρῶνα aphedrona aphedrôna aphedrōna aphedrō̂naLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |