Matthew 15:8
What does Matthew 15:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 15:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 15:8 means
Through the prophet Isaiah, God declares that the people, represented by these religious leaders, offer Him lip service and outward honor, but their hearts are far removed from Him. This verse reveals the critical disconnect between external religious observance and genuine internal devotion. Their worship was superficial, devoid of true affection, obedience, or reverence for God. A heart far from God indicates a lack of real relationship, rendering any outward expressions of faith empty and meaningless.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000This people honoreth me with their lips; But their heart is far from me.
KJV
King James Version · 1611This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901This people honoreth me with their lips; But their heart is far from me.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949These people give me honour with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862This people doth draw nigh to Me with their mouth, and with the lips it doth honour Me, but their heart is far off from Me;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752This people honoureth me with their lips: but their heart is far from me.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890This people honour me with the lips, but their heart is far away from me;
Context
This verse quotes the first part of Isaiah's prophecy (Isaiah 29:13), providing the divine explanation for why Jesus called the Pharisees hypocrites in verse 7. It lays bare the core issue: a lack of true heart devotion behind their outward religious displays. This divine commentary sets the stage for the next verse, which details the practical implication of their hypocritical worship.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 8:21
Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right before God.
- Isaiah 29:13
And the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw nigh unto me, and with their mouth and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment of men which hath been taught them;
- Ezekiel 33:31
And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but do them not; for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their gain.
- 1 Peter 3:10
For, He that would love life, And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips that they speak no guile:
- Jeremiah 12:2
Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root; they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their heart.
- John 1:47
Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
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