Clean and Unclean

A Divine Distinction

The biblical distinction between “clean” and “unclean” has nothing to do with hygiene. Rather, it is the way God designated the difference between what He could receive into His presence and what must remain apart from Him. Only people, animals, and objects designated as clean could enter the tabernacle, and later the temple, as part of the worship of God. Specific rituals were instituted by God for making an “unclean” person or object “clean” (see Lev. 14; Is. 1:16).

The designation of “clean” and “unclean” also implies a distinction between ethical character and behavior that is acceptable to God (“holy”) from that which is unacceptable (“unholy”). Jesus clearly taught that it is a person’s character (“heart”) which determines whether or not she is “clean” and can be received into God’s presence (Mark 7:15). Because of the spiritual nature of the human character, external rituals cannot make anyone admissible to the Lord’s presence. Only the blood of Jesus Christ can make us “clean” and only through Him are we welcomed into the presence of God the Father (1 John 1:9).

Taken from The Woman’s Study Bible