Devine Scripture

Matthew 15:9

What does Matthew 15:9 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 15:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 15:9 means

Jesus continues to quote Isaiah, highlighting that the Pharisees' worship is "in vain," meaning useless or unprofitable, because they teach human precepts as if they were God's doctrines. This verse encapsulates the severe consequence of prioritizing man-made rules over God's commands: their entire system of worship, despite its diligence, fails to please God. Their misguided teaching leads both themselves and their followers away from true, Spirit-led worship. This is a sober warning about the danger of spiritual legalism.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But in vain do they worship me, Teachingas theirdoctrines the precepts of men.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But in vain do they worship me, Teachingas theirdoctrines the precepts of men.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But their worship is to no purpose, while they give as their teaching the rules of men.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and in vain do they worship Me, teaching teachings--commands of men.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And in vain do they worship me, teaching doctrines and commandments of men.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but in vain do they worship me, teaching [as] teachings commandments of men.

Context

Completing the quotation from Isaiah 29:13, this verse provides the reason why their hearts are far from God, as stated in verse 8. It explicitly connects their teaching of human traditions to the vanity of their worship. This powerful prophetic condemnation concludes Jesus's direct confrontation with the Pharisees and sets the stage for Him to turn and address the multitude, offering them clearer teaching.

v.8This people honoreth me with their lips; But their heart is far from me.

v.9This passage

v.10And he called to him the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:

Cross references

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

  • 1 Timothy 1:4

    neither to give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questionings, rather than a dispensation of God which is in faith; so do I now.

  • Isaiah 58:1

    Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and declare unto my people their transgression, and to the house of Jacob their sins.

  • Hebrews 13:9

    Be not carried away by divers and strange teachings: for it is good that the heart be established by grace; not by meats, wherein they that occupied themselves were not profited.

  • Colossians 2:18

    Let no man rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he hath seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

  • Ecclesiastes 5:2

    Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

  • Deuteronomy 12:32

    What thing soever I command you, that shall ye observe to do: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

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