In this passage, Jesus is teaching that his followers do not need to obey the Jewish dietary laws. The context also makes clear that Jesus's focus is on the status of the human heart, which he sees as the source of evil intentions, and not the mere observing of rules. In the opening verses of Mark chapter 7, Jesus is challenged by the "Pharisees and scribes" who "live according to the tradition of the elders".[] Jesus's reply is that following religious rules and traditions is often done as a way of avoiding following God and God's commandments.[] Jesus's teaching that all foods were now clean was a continuation of this: what matters is the human heart, not external observance to religious rules.