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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Colossians 2:21 "Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!"?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/colossians/2-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/51_Col_02_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Colossians 2:21 - Alive in Christ" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/colossians/2-21.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/colossians/2-21.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/colossians/">Colossians</a> > <a href="/colossians/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 21</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/colossians/2-20.htm" title="Colossians 2:20">◄</a> Colossians 2:21 <a href="/colossians/2-22.htm" title="Colossians 2:22">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/colossians/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/colossians/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/colossians/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/colossians/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/colossians/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/colossians/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />"You should not handle! You should not taste! You should not touch!"?--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/colossians/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />(Touch not; taste not; handle not;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/colossians/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/colossians/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/colossians/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/colossians/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/colossians/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Do not handle, nor taste, nor touch”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/colossians/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Do not handle [this], do not taste [that], do not [even] touch!”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/colossians/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Don’t handle, don’t taste, don’t touch”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/colossians/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Don&#8217t handle, don&#8217t taste, don&#8217t touch"?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/colossians/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Handle not, nor taste, nor touch<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/colossians/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"Don't handle this. Don't taste that. Don't touch this."? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/colossians/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Handle not, nor taste, nor touch<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/colossians/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />People will tell you, "Don't handle this! Don't taste or touch that!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/colossians/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Don't handle this," "Don't taste that," "Don't touch the other"? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/colossians/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Don't handle this! Don't taste or touch that!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/colossians/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/colossians/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/colossians/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Do not handle, nor taste, nor touch"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/colossians/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />(Touch not; taste not; handle not;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/colossians/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"Do not handle this;" "Do not taste that;" "Do not touch that other thing" --<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/colossians/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Don’t handle, nor taste, nor touch” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/colossians/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />you may not touch, nor taste, nor handle—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/colossians/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />"You should not handle! You should not taste! You should not touch!"?--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/colossians/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> -- thou mayest not touch, nor taste, nor handle -- <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/colossians/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />(Touch not; neither taste; neither shouldest thou handle;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/colossians/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Touch not, taste not, handle not: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/colossians/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle these things,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/colossians/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/colossians/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch”?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/colossians/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Do not touch; do not taste; do not follow;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/colossians/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />Namely, “Do not touch”, “Do not taste”, “Do not hold”,<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/colossians/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Touch not, taste not, handle not,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/colossians/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Touch not, taste not, handle not,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/colossians/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />eat not, nor talk, nor touch,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/colossians/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />"don't eat this, don't taste that, nor touch it:"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/colossians/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"Do not handle this;" "Do not taste that;" "Do not touch that other thing" --<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/colossians/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />"Handle not, taste not, touch not,"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/colossians/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />(<i>such as</i> "touch not, taste not,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/colossians/2-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7q-K-qsfihQ?start=479" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/colossians/2.htm">Alive in Christ</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>If you have died with Christ to the spiritual forces of the world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its regulations: <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: Mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.">“Do</a> <a href="/greek/680.htm" title="680: hapsē (V-ASM-2S) -- Prop: I fasten to; I lay hold of, touch, know carnally. Reflexive of hapto; properly, to attach oneself to, i.e. To touch.">not handle,</a> <a href="/greek/3366.htm" title="3366: mēde (Conj) -- And not, not even, neither?nor. From me and de; but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor.">do</a> <a href="/greek/1089.htm" title="1089: geusē (V-ASM-2S) -- (a) I taste, (b) I experience. A primary verb; to taste; by implication, to eat; figuratively, to experience.">not taste,</a> <a href="/greek/3366.htm" title="3366: mēde (Conj) -- And not, not even, neither?nor. From me and de; but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor.">do</a> <a href="/greek/2345.htm" title="2345: thigēs (V-ASA-2S) -- A prolonged form of an obsolete primary thigo; to manipulate, i.e. Have to do with; by implication, to injure.">not touch!”?</a> </span> <span class="reftext">22</span>These will all perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/4-9.htm">Galatians 4:9-10</a></span><br />But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? / You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/14-17.htm">Romans 14:17</a></span><br />For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/4-3.htm">1 Timothy 4:3</a></span><br />They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-10.htm">Hebrews 9:10</a></span><br />They consist only in food and drink and special washings—external regulations imposed until the time of reform.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/7-18.htm">Mark 7:18-19</a></span><br />“Are you still so dull?” He asked. “Do you not understand? Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, / because it does not enter his heart, but it goes into the stomach and then is eliminated.” (Thus all foods are clean.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-11.htm">Matthew 15:11</a></span><br />A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/14-2.htm">Romans 14:2-3</a></span><br />For one person has faith to eat all things, while another, who is weak, eats only vegetables. / The one who eats everything must not belittle the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/8-8.htm">1 Corinthians 8:8</a></span><br />But food does not bring us closer to God: We are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/10-14.htm">Acts 10:14-15</a></span><br />“No, Lord!” Peter answered. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” / The voice spoke to him a second time: “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/14-14.htm">Romans 14:14</a></span><br />I am convinced and fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-1.htm">Galatians 5:1</a></span><br />It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/2-15.htm">Ephesians 2:15</a></span><br />by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-9.htm">Hebrews 13:9</a></span><br />Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace and not by foods of no value to those devoted to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">Isaiah 29:13</a></span><br />Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11-14</a></span><br />“What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. / When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts? / Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2"> (Touch not; taste not; handle not;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/3-3.htm">Genesis 3:3</a></b></br> But of the fruit of the tree which <i>is</i> in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/52-11.htm">Isaiah 52:11</a></b></br> Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean <i>thing</i>; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_corinthians/6-17.htm">2 Corinthians 6:17</a></b></br> Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean <i>thing</i>; and I will receive you,</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/24-39.htm">Handle</a> <a href="/colossians/2-11.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/ephesians/6-3.htm">Mayest</a> <a href="/acts/23-14.htm">Taste</a> <a href="/john/2-9.htm">Tasting</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/6-17.htm">Touch</a> <a href="/philippians/3-6.htm">Touching</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_john/1-1.htm">Handle</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-11.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/colossians/4-17.htm">Mayest</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-9.htm">Taste</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-4.htm">Tasting</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-28.htm">Touch</a> <a href="/colossians/4-10.htm">Touching</a><div class="vheading2">Colossians 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/colossians/2-1.htm">Paul still exhorts them to be constant in Christ;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">to beware of philosophy, and vain traditions;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/colossians/2-18.htm">worshipping of angels;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/colossians/2-20.htm">and legal ceremonies, which are ended in Christ.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/colossians/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/colossians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/colossians/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Do not handle</b><br>This phrase reflects the ascetic practices that were being promoted by false teachers in Colossae. These practices were rooted in a belief that physical matter was inherently evil, a concept influenced by early Gnostic thought. The command to "not handle" suggests a prohibition against engaging with certain physical objects or activities deemed impure. This echoes the legalistic tendencies found in the Pharisaic traditions, where strict adherence to rules was emphasized over the spirit of the law (<a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23-24</a>). The emphasis on external regulations contrasts with the freedom found in Christ, who fulfilled the law (<a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a>).<p><b>do not taste</b><br>The directive to "not taste" likely refers to dietary restrictions imposed by the false teachers. These restrictions may have been influenced by Jewish dietary laws or pagan practices, both of which were prevalent in the region. The early church grappled with the question of dietary laws, as seen in <a href="/acts/15-28.htm">Acts 15:28-29</a>, where the Jerusalem Council addressed what was required of Gentile believers. Paul's teaching in <a href="/romans/14-17.htm">Romans 14:17</a> emphasizes that the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, highlighting the internal transformation over external observance.<p><b>do not touch!</b><br>The command to "not touch" suggests a prohibition against contact with certain objects or people considered unclean. This reflects a misunderstanding of holiness, which in the New Testament is not about physical separation but about being set apart for God through Christ. Jesus Himself touched lepers and the unclean, demonstrating that true purity comes from within (<a href="/mark/1-40.htm">Mark 1:40-42</a>). The emphasis on "do not touch" also parallels the Old Testament laws of purity, which were fulfilled in Christ, who declared all foods clean (<a href="/mark/7-18.htm">Mark 7:18-19</a>).<p><b>?</b><br>The question mark at the end of the verse indicates Paul's rhetorical style, challenging the Colossians to consider the futility of such regulations. These human commands and teachings are contrasted with the sufficiency of Christ, who is the head over every power and authority (<a href="/colossians/2-10.htm">Colossians 2:10</a>). The rhetorical question invites believers to reflect on the freedom they have in Christ, who has set them free from the elemental spiritual forces of the world (<a href="/colossians/2-20.htm">Colossians 2:20</a>). This freedom is a recurring theme in Paul's letters, as seen in <a href="/galatians/5.htm">Galatians 5:1</a>, where believers are called to stand firm in their liberty and not be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a></b><br>The author of the letter to the Colossians, Paul is addressing the church in Colossae, providing guidance and correction regarding false teachings and legalistic practices.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/c/church_in_colossae.htm">Church in Colossae</a></b><br>A Christian community in the ancient city of Colossae, located in modern-day Turkey. The church was facing challenges from false teachings that emphasized strict adherence to human traditions and regulations.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/f/false_teachers.htm">False Teachers</a></b><br>Individuals promoting a form of asceticism and legalism, urging believers to follow strict rules and regulations as a means of achieving spiritual purity.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_legalism.htm">Understanding Legalism</a></b><br>Legalism focuses on strict adherence to rules and regulations as a means of achieving righteousness. Paul warns against this mindset, emphasizing that true spirituality is found in Christ, not in human traditions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/freedom_in_christ.htm">Freedom in Christ</a></b><br>Believers are called to live in the freedom that Christ provides, not bound by human-made rules. This freedom should lead to a life of love and service, not indulgence or legalism.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_practice.htm">Discernment in Practice</a></b><br>While some practices may seem spiritual, they can distract from the core message of the Gospel. Believers must discern what aligns with the teachings of Christ and what is merely human tradition.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Role of the Holy Spirit</a></b><br>The Holy Spirit guides believers into all truth, helping them to live out their faith authentically without being burdened by unnecessary rules.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/focus_on_inner_transformation.htm">Focus on Inner Transformation</a></b><br>True spiritual growth comes from a transformed heart and mind, not merely external compliance. Believers should seek to cultivate a relationship with Christ that transforms their inner being.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_colossians_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Colossians 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_being_above_reproach.htm">What defines being above reproach?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_compassion_and_forgiveness.htm">What does the Bible say about chronic pain?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/2_kings_13_21__can_bones_revive_the_dead.htm">2 Kings 13:21 - How could a dead man be revived simply by touching Elisha's bones, and is there any scientific or historical corroboration for such an event?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_it_mean_to_be_irreverent.htm">What does it mean to be irreverent?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/colossians/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) <span class= "bld">Touch not; taste not; handle not.</span>--The first and last of these renderings should be inverted. There is in the commands a climax of strictness. "Handle not" (the unclean thing), "taste it not," "touch it not" with one of your fingers. It will be noted that all these commands are negative, not positive. They are marked by the ordinary ascetic preference of spiritual restraint to spiritual energy.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/colossians/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21</span> gives examples of the <span class="accented">decrees</span> which the Colossians are blamed for regarding and in this respect more than in any other they seem to have yielded to the demands of the false teacher. <span class="cmt_word">Do not handle, nor taste, nor touch'</span> (vers. 16, 23; <a href="/1_corinthians/6-12.htm">1 Corinthians 6:12, 13</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/8-8.htm">1 Corinthians 8:8</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/10-25.htm">1 Corinthians 10:25-27, 30</a>; <a href="/romans/14-14.htm">Romans 14:14-17</a>; <a href="/1_timothy/4-3.htm">1 Timothy 4:3-5</a>; <a href="/titus/1-15.htm">Titus 1:15</a>). These rules form part of a prohibitory regimen by which sinful tendencies to bodily pleasure were to be repressed (ver. 23), and spiritual truths symbolically enforced (ver. 17; see note on "circumcision," ver. 11): comp. Philo, 'On Concupiscence;' also 'On Victims,' § 3. <span class="greek">Θίγης</span> the last of the three verbs, appears to be the strongest, forbidding the slightest con<span class="accented">tact.</span> <span class="greek">Αψῃ</span> is better rendered "handle" (comp. <a href="/john/20-17.htm">John 20:17</a>); by itself it will scarcely bear the meaning it has in <a href="/1_corinthians/7-1.htm">1 Corinthians 7:1</a>. The next verse seems to imply that all three verbs relate to matters of diet. Ambrose and other Latin Fathers of ascetic tendencies put these prohibitions into the mouth of St. Patti himself, reversing his meaning. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/colossians/2-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">“{Do}</span><br /><span class="grk">Μὴ</span> <span class="translit">(Mē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3361.htm">Strong's 3361: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">not handle,</span><br /><span class="grk">ἅψῃ</span> <span class="translit">(hapsē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Middle - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_680.htm">Strong's 680: </a> </span><span class="str2">Prop: I fasten to; I lay hold of, touch, know carnally. Reflexive of hapto; properly, to attach oneself to, i.e. To touch.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">{do}</span><br /><span class="grk">μηδὲ</span> <span class="translit">(mēde)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3366.htm">Strong's 3366: </a> </span><span class="str2">And not, not even, neither?nor. From me and de; but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">not taste,</span><br /><span class="grk">γεύσῃ</span> <span class="translit">(geusē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Middle - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1089.htm">Strong's 1089: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I taste, (b) I experience. A primary verb; to taste; by implication, to eat; figuratively, to experience.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">{do}</span><br /><span class="grk">μηδὲ</span> <span class="translit">(mēde)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3366.htm">Strong's 3366: </a> </span><span class="str2">And not, not even, neither?nor. From me and de; but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">not touch!”?</span><br /><span class="grk">θίγῃς</span> <span class="translit">(thigēs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2345.htm">Strong's 2345: </a> </span><span class="str2">A prolonged form of an obsolete primary thigo; to manipulate, i.e. Have to do with; by implication, to injure.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/colossians/2-21.htm">Colossians 2:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/colossians/2-21.htm">Colossians 2:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/colossians/2-21.htm">Colossians 2:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/colossians/2-21.htm">Colossians 2:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/colossians/2-21.htm">Colossians 2:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/colossians/2-21.htm">Colossians 2:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/colossians/2-21.htm">Colossians 2:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/colossians/2-21.htm">Colossians 2:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/colossians/2-21.htm">Colossians 2:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/colossians/2-21.htm">Colossians 2:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/colossians/2-21.htm">NT Letters: Colossians 2:21 Don't handle nor taste nor touch (Coloss. Col Co) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/colossians/2-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Colossians 2:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Colossians 2:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/colossians/2-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Colossians 2:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Colossians 2:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>