Matthew 15:9 kjv
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Matthew 15:9 nkjv
And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' "
Matthew 15:9 niv
They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.' "
Matthew 15:9 esv
in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'"
Matthew 15:9 nlt
Their worship is a farce,
for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.' "
Matthew 15 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mk 7:7 | "However, in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the precepts of men." | Parallel condemnation of human tradition. |
| Isa 29:13 | "These people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me, and their reverence for Me is a human precept taught to them." | Old Testament source, emphasizing lip service over heart. |
| Deut 4:2 | "You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it..." | Prohibits altering God's commands. |
| Deut 12:32 | "Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it." | Reinforces not adding or subtracting. |
| Prov 30:5-6 | "Every word of God is pure... Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you..." | Warnings against corrupting God's Word. |
| Jer 8:8 | "How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us’? Look, the lying pen of the scribes has certainly made it into a lie." | Denounces scribes twisting God's law. |
| Col 2:8 | "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men..." | Warning against human traditions/philosophies. |
| Gal 1:10 | "For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ." | Human approval vs. God's truth. |
| Gal 1:14 | "...being exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers." | Paul's former zeal for human traditions. |
| Titus 1:14 | "not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth." | Rejecting human fables and commands. |
| Titus 1:16 | "They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable..." | Professing faith without genuine obedience. |
| Isa 1:11-17 | "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?" says the LORD... cease to do evil..." | Condemns empty ritual without justice. |
| Amos 5:21-24 | "I hate, I despise your feast days... But let justice run down like water..." | God rejects religious shows without righteousness. |
| Rom 10:2-3 | "For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge." | Zeal without true knowledge or God's righteousness. |
| Lk 11:39-40 | "...Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness." | Outward piety masking inner corruption. |
| Jn 4:23-24 | "But the hour is coming... when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth..." | True worship is internal and truthful. |
| Ps 51:17 | "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart..." | God desires inner humility over ritual. |
| Mic 6:8 | "He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" | True religion involves moral and spiritual conduct. |
| 2 Tim 3:16-17 | "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine..." | Authority and sufficiency of God's Word. |
| 1 Tim 4:1-2 | "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons..." | Warnings against false teachings. |
| Matt 7:15 | "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." | Warning against those teaching error. |
| Acts 5:29 | "We ought to obey God rather than men." | Prioritizing God's command over human authority. |
| 2 Thess 2:15 | "Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught..." | Distinguishes between godly, apostolic tradition and vain human tradition. |
Matthew 15 verses
Matthew 15 9 Meaning
Matthew 15:9 is a pronouncement by Jesus, quoting from the prophet Isaiah, directly condemning the religious leaders of His day for prioritizing human traditions over the divine commandments of God. It signifies that any form of worship, no matter how outwardly diligent, is utterly futile and unacceptable to God if it is based on human teachings and rules that nullify or supersede His revealed truth, rather than true obedience from the heart.
Matthew 15 9 Context
Matthew 15:9 is part of a significant dialogue between Jesus and the religious leaders (Pharisees and scribes) recorded in Matthew 15:1-20 and Mark 7:1-23. The immediate context is their criticism of Jesus' disciples for not adhering to the "tradition of the elders," specifically regarding ceremonial handwashing before eating, which was a rabbinic precept, not a biblical commandment. In response, Jesus vehemently exposes their hypocrisy and misplaced priorities by directly quoting from Isaiah 29:13, thereby turning their accusation back on them. Historically, the Pharisees held immense influence, advocating for the oral law (the Halakha), which had developed over centuries as interpretations and expansions of the written Torah. While some traditions aimed to "build a fence around the Torah" to protect it, they often ended up becoming as, or more, authoritative than the Scripture itself, sometimes even leading to contradictions, as exemplified by the Corban practice in Mark 7. This verse stands as a powerful polemic against religious formalism, the elevation of human decrees over divine law, and a call back to genuine heart-level worship and obedience to God.
Matthew 15 9 Word analysis
- But: (δὲ - de) A conjunction indicating a transition or sharp contrast, here sharply highlighting the futility of their supposed worship.
- in vain: (ματην - matēn) Meaning uselessly, fruitlessly, without profit, without purpose. This is a crucial adverb signifying the utter emptiness and unacceptability of their worship in God's eyes, despite their outward appearance of piety. It implies a complete lack of efficacy or spiritual benefit.
- they do worship: (σεβονται - sevontai) From the root "sebomai" (σέβομαι), implying reverence, piety, and adoration towards God, often encompassing external acts. The present tense indicates a continuous action. The condemnation is not of worship itself, but of its manner and foundation.
- Me: (με - me) Jesus explicitly states "Me," identifying Himself as the divine object of worship. By applying Isaiah 29:13, originally about Yahweh, to Himself, Jesus implicitly asserts His own divine authority and identity with the God of Israel. Their worship, ostensibly directed at God, is empty to Him.
- teaching: (διδασκοντες - didaskontes) A present participle, indicating the means or manner by which their worship becomes vain. Their instruction is the direct cause of its futility, emphasizing their role as religious instructors.
- for doctrines: (διδασκαλιας - didaskalias) This term refers to teachings, instructions, or beliefs presented as authoritative principles. The plural suggests multiple such humanly-devised teachings.
- the commandments: (ενταλματα - entalmata) Meaning precepts, ordinances, or injunctions. This term is distinct from the typical Greek word for divine law (nomos). By linking entalmata with "men," Jesus highlights these as humanly devised regulations, not divinely revealed laws.
- of men: (ανθρωπων - anthrōpōn) In the genitive plural, clearly indicating the human origin of these "commandments." This is the core contrast: divine commands vs. human rules.
Word-groups analysis:
- But in vain they do worship Me: This phrase underscores the hypocrisy and inherent emptiness of their religious practice. Their reverence, while appearing outwardly sincere, lacks spiritual substance because its foundation is flawed. Jesus' explicit inclusion of "Me" directly attributes the judgment of "vain" worship to Himself, profoundly challenging their understanding of who God is and how He desires to be honored.
- teaching for doctrines the commandments of men: This reveals the primary reason for their futile worship. They are not merely observing human traditions, but actively promoting and elevating these human rules to the authoritative status of divine doctrine, thereby displacing or obscuring the true commandments of God. The phrase exposes a critical theological error: placing human authority and interpretation above God's revealed Word, which fundamentally subverts authentic worship.
Matthew 15 9 Bonus section
The underlying Old Testament text of Isaiah 29:13 emphasizes a crucial point about the heart. The prophet decries those whose "heart is far from Me" despite honoring God with their lips. Jesus' direct citation confirms that external compliance or mere lip-service, disconnected from internal conviction and love for God, is valueless. This extends beyond merely ritualistic worship to all aspects of life, underscoring that God values sincerity and obedience originating from a transformed heart over mere outward conformity. The Pharisees' traditions often served to differentiate them socially or highlight their perceived piety, yet Jesus reveals these practices, when given ultimate authority, alienate them from genuine connection with God. This verse therefore carries strong implications for personal piety, ecclesiology (church practice), and the enduring danger of legalism and hypocrisy in any faith tradition. It ultimately points to Jesus as the sole interpreter of God's will and the standard by which all human tradition must be judged.
Matthew 15 9 Commentary
Matthew 15:9 stands as a pivotal biblical declaration against religious formalism and the spiritual peril of substituting human traditions for divine truth. Jesus, in quoting Isaiah, exposes a deep-seated spiritual pathology among the religious elite of His day: a zealous outward show of piety that was fundamentally hollow because its foundation was man-made rather than God-ordained. Their "worship" became matēn – utterly useless – because they prioritized the entalmata anthrōpōn (commandments of men) over the entalmata theou (commandments of God). This verse warns that authentic devotion cannot coexist with a system that elevates human authority or preference above God’s clear directives. True worship is not defined by elaborate rituals, rigid adherence to traditions, or outward displays, but by a heart submitted to God's revealed will, seeking to obey His Word. It serves as an timeless caution to believers and religious institutions: vigilantly guard against elevating denominational rules, cultural practices, or personal interpretations to the same, or even greater, authority as God's Scripture, lest one's worship become a performance for men, rather than an acceptable offering to God. For example, some may focus on particular modes of baptism or specific worship styles as prerequisites for genuine faith, when Scripture prioritizes faith in Christ and worship in spirit and truth.