Devine Scripture

Matthew 15:13

What does Matthew 15:13 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 15:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 15:13 means

Jesus responds to the disciples' concern about offending the Pharisees with a powerful metaphor: "Every plant which my heavenly Father planted not, shall be rooted up." This means that any teaching, tradition, or religious system not genuinely ordained by God will ultimately be judged and removed. This statement serves as a divine judgment on the Pharisees' man-made traditions, indicating their inevitable failure and destruction because they did not originate from God.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But he answered and said, Every plant which my heavenly Father planted not, shall be rooted up.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But he answered and said, Every plant which my heavenly Father planted not, shall be rooted up.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But he said in answer, Every plant which my Father in heaven has not put in the earth, will be taken up by the roots.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he answering said, `Every plant that my heavenly Father did not plant shall be rooted up;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But he answering, said: Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But he answering said, Every plant which my heavenly Father has not planted shall be rooted up.

Context

In response to the disciples' report of the Pharisees' offense in verse 12, Jesus delivers this stark parable. This statement is a profound theological judgment on the Pharisees' teachings, explaining why their offense is not a concern. It immediately sets the stage for Jesus's further instruction to His disciples, warning them against following such spiritually dangerous leaders.

v.12Then came the disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, when they heard this saying?

v.13This passage

v.14Let them alone: they are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind, both shall fall into a pit.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 15:6

    If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

  • Matthew 13:40

    As therefore the tares are gathered up and burned with fire; so shall it be in the end of the world.

  • Isaiah 60:21

    Thy people also shall be all righteous; they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:12

    But if any man buildeth on the foundation gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, stubble;

  • Isaiah 61:3

    to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Jehovah, that he may be glorified.

  • John 15:2

    Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he cleanseth it, that it may bear more fruit.

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