This is almost
certainly an authentic saying of Jesus. Does it, however, constitute a
rejection of the food laws in Leviticus? In spite of claims to the contrary,
the answer is ‘no’. Long before the time of Jesus, Jews had subscribed to the
view that, whatever the rationale behind its various parts, the Torah was to be
obeyed simply because God has commanded it. Even today, this view is current
among Jews. Moreover, if this saying did constitute an abrogation of the food
laws, it is difficult to imagine how Jewish Christians could so ardently have
advocated their preservation. But the historical Jesus and the Marcan Jesus are
not identical; the setting which Mark provides for this dominical saying
specifically interprets it so as to abrogate Lev 11. This effect is achieved
not so much by 7.19a, as by 719b: ‘[thus] he purified all foods.’ While it
cannot be denied that this clause is awkwardly situated, the chief textual
witnesses are virtually unanimous in its support. Accordingly, since it appears
to belong to the text in its earliest form, it may reasonably be attributed to
the evangelist himself. (Philip Francis Esler, Community and Gospel in
Luke-Acts: The Social and Political Motivations of Lucan Theology [Society
for New Testament Studies Monograph Series 57; Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press, 1987], 89-90)
