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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/matthew/15.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/matthew/15.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.&#8217&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/15.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/15.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And in vain they worship Me, teaching <i>as</i> doctrines <i>the</i> precepts of men.'"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/15.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But in vain they do worship me, teaching <i>for</i> doctrines the commandments of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And in vain they worship Me, Teaching <i>as</i> doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />‘AND IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8216BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.&#8217&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE COMMANDS OF MEN.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, FOR THEY TEACH AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines human commands. ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They worship Me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commands of men.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/15.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />It is useless for you to worship me, when you teach rules made up by humans." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Their worship of me is pointless, because their teachings are rules made by humans.'"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />It is no use for them to worship me, because they teach human rules as though they were my laws!'" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Their worship of me is empty, because they teach human rules as doctrines.'" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />and they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And in vain do they worship me, teaching instructions that are the commandments of humans.'"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />but it is in vain they worship Me, while they lay down precepts which are mere human rules.'"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />And they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrine rules made by men.’” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and in vain they worship Me, teaching teachings—commands of men.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And in vain they worship Me, teaching <i>as</i> doctrines <i>the</i> precepts of men.'"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and in vain do they worship Me, teaching teachings -- commands of men.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />But they worship me in vain, teaching doctrines the commands of men.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And in vain do they worship me, teaching doctrines and commandments of men. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For in vain do they worship me, teaching the doctrines and commandments of men.’ ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.’ ” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.’”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And they worship me in vain, when they teach the doctrines of the commandments of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/15.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />'And they revere me in vain while they teach the doctrines of the commandments of man.' “<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/15.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />But in vain, do they worship me, teaching precepts, the commandments of men.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/15.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>But in vain they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/15.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />But in vain do they worship me, teaching doctrines the commandments of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/15.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />but in vain they worship me, teaching for doctrines the institutions of men."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />but it is in vain they worship Me, while they lay down precepts which are mere human rules.'"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/15.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines <i>the</i> commandments of men.'"<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/15.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>but in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the injunctions of men.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/15-9.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/hriiyJYqzvc?start=4292" 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/matthew/15.htm">Tradition and Worship</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/4576.htm" title="4576: sebontai (V-PIM/P-3P) -- To reverence, worship, adore. Middle voice of an apparently primary verb; to revere, i.e. Adore.">They worship</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: me (PPro-A1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">Me</a> <a href="/greek/3155.htm" title="3155: Matēn (Adv) -- Accusative case of a derivative of the base of massaomai; folly, i.e. to no purpose.">in vain;</a> <a href="/greek/1321.htm" title="1321: Didaskontes (V-PPA-NMP) -- To teach, direct, admonish. A prolonged form of a primary verb dao; to teach.">they teach</a> <a href="/greek/1319.htm" title="1319: didaskalias (N-AFP) -- Instruction, teaching. From didaskalos; instruction.">as doctrine</a> <a href="/greek/1778.htm" title="1778: entalmata (N-ANP) -- An injunction, ordinance, precept. From entellomai; an injunction, i.e. Religious precept.">the precepts</a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpōn (N-GMP) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">of men.’”</a> </span> <span class="reftext">10</span>Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, “Listen and understand.…<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="/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="/mark/7-7.htm">Mark 7:7</a></span><br />They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/2-22.htm">Colossians 2:22</a></span><br />These will all perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/titus/1-14.htm">Titus 1:14</a></span><br />and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who have rejected the truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/33-31.htm">Ezekiel 33:31</a></span><br />So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-5.htm">2 Timothy 3:5</a></span><br />having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-12.htm">Isaiah 1:12-15</a></span><br />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. / I hate your New Moons and your appointed feasts. They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-21.htm">Amos 5:21-23</a></span><br />“I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. / Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard. / Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/6-6.htm">Micah 6:6-8</a></span><br />With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? / Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? / He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/10-2.htm">Romans 10:2-3</a></span><br />For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge. / Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a></span><br />But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a></span><br />For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-4.htm">Jeremiah 7:4-10</a></span><br />Do not trust in deceptive words, saying: ‘This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD.’ / For if you really correct your ways and deeds, if you act justly toward one another, / if you no longer oppress the foreigner and the fatherless and the widow, and if you no longer shed innocent blood in this place or follow other gods to your own harm, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-23.htm">John 4:23-24</a></span><br />But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. / God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.</p><p class="hdg">in.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/20-7.htm">Exodus 20:7</a></b></br> Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/26-16.htm">Leviticus 26:16,20</a></b></br> I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/25-21.htm">1 Samuel 25:21</a></b></br> Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this <i>fellow</i> hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that <i>pertained</i> unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good.</p><p class="hdg">teaching.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/12-32.htm">Deuteronomy 12:32</a></b></br> What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/30-5.htm">Proverbs 30:5,6</a></b></br> Every word of God <i>is</i> pure: he <i>is</i> a shield unto them that put their trust in him… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">Isaiah 29:13</a></b></br> Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near <i>me</i> with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/8-18.htm">Commandments</a> <a href="/matthew/15-3.htm">Commands</a> <a href="/matthew/7-28.htm">Doctrine</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-9.htm">Doctrines</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-17.htm">Human</a> <a href="/matthew/11-12.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/hosea/10-4.htm">Mere</a> <a href="/hosea/8-12.htm">Precepts</a> <a href="/matthew/5-31.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/malachi/4-4.htm">Rules</a> <a href="/matthew/13-54.htm">Taught</a> <a href="/matthew/15-6.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/matthew/7-26.htm">Teachings</a> <a href="/matthew/6-7.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/matthew/14-33.htm">Worship</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/19-17.htm">Commandments</a> <a href="/matthew/19-17.htm">Commands</a> <a href="/matthew/16-12.htm">Doctrine</a> <a href="/mark/7-7.htm">Doctrines</a> <a href="/matthew/16-17.htm">Human</a> <a href="/matthew/19-1.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/matthew/16-17.htm">Mere</a> <a href="/mark/7-7.htm">Precepts</a> <a href="/matthew/25-1.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/matthew/19-17.htm">Rules</a> <a href="/matthew/22-43.htm">Taught</a> <a href="/matthew/16-12.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/mark/7-7.htm">Teachings</a> <a href="/mark/7-7.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/matthew/15-25.htm">Worship</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 15</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/15-1.htm">Jesus reproves the Scribes and Pharisees </a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/15-7.htm">for transgressing God's commandments through their own traditions;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/15-10.htm">teaches how that which goes into the mouth does not defile a man.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/15-21.htm">He heals the daughter of the woman of Canaan,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/15-29.htm">and other great multitudes;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/15-32.htm">and with seven loaves and a few small fish feeds four thousand men</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/matthew/15.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/15.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>They worship Me in vain;</b><br>This phrase highlights the futility of worship that is not grounded in truth. In the context of <a href="/matthew/15.htm">Matthew 15</a>, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees and scribes who prioritize human traditions over God's commandments. The concept of "vain worship" is echoed in <a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">Isaiah 29:13</a>, which Jesus quotes here, emphasizing that worship without genuine devotion and obedience is empty. This reflects a broader biblical theme where God desires worship that is sincere and from the heart, as seen in passages like <a href="/john/4-24.htm">John 4:24</a>, where worship must be in spirit and truth.<p><b>they teach as doctrine</b><br>The criticism here is directed at the elevation of human traditions to the level of divine commandments. The Pharisees and scribes were known for their strict adherence to oral traditions, which they often placed on par with or above the written Law. This practice is cautioned against in <a href="/deuteronomy/4-2.htm">Deuteronomy 4:2</a>, where adding to or taking away from God's commandments is forbidden. The New Testament further warns against false teachings and doctrines of men in passages like <a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">Colossians 2:8</a>, which advises believers to be wary of human traditions that are not rooted in Christ.<p><b>the precepts of men.’”</b><br>This phrase underscores the human origin of the teachings being criticized. The "precepts of men" refers to the traditions and interpretations developed by religious leaders that were not divinely inspired. In the historical context, these precepts often included detailed rituals and rules that overshadowed the core commandments of God. Jesus' rebuke serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to God's Word rather than human interpretations. This theme is consistent with the prophetic call to return to God's ways, as seen in the Old Testament prophets who often challenged Israel to forsake idolatry and return to true worship.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The speaker of this verse, addressing the Pharisees and scribes who were challenging Him on matters of tradition versus God's commandments.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharisees_and_scribes.htm">Pharisees and Scribes</a></b><br>Religious leaders of the time who were known for their strict adherence to Jewish traditions and laws, often placing them above the commandments of God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a></b><br>The prophet whose words Jesus quotes in this passage, highlighting the issue of vain worship and human traditions.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a></b><br>Followers of Jesus who were present during this confrontation and were being taught about the true nature of worship and obedience.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The central place of Jewish worship and the location from which the Pharisees and scribes came to question Jesus.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/true_worship.htm">True Worship</a></b><br>Worship must be rooted in spirit and truth, not merely in external rituals or traditions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/authority_of_scripture.htm">Authority of Scripture</a></b><br>God's Word should be the ultimate authority in our lives, above any human traditions or teachings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/heart_over_ritual.htm">Heart Over Ritual</a></b><br>God desires a heart that seeks Him genuinely, rather than one that merely follows religious routines.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment.htm">Discernment</a></b><br>Believers must discern between God's commandments and human traditions, ensuring that their faith practices align with Scripture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god.htm">Obedience to God</a></b><br>True worship involves obedience to God's commands, not just adherence to human-imposed rules.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 15</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_regulative_and_normative_differ.htm">What distinguishes regulative from normative principles of worship?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_jesus'_view_on_tradition.htm">How do we reconcile Jesus placing God’s command above human tradition with similar teachings about observance of ritual cleanliness in other scriptures (Matthew 15:3–9)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_unknowingly_worshiped_biblically.htm">What is unknowingly worshiping according to the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_jesus_contradict_jewish_laws_in_matt._15.htm">Is Jesus contradicting established Jewish laws by declaring that eating with unwashed hands does not defile a person (Matthew 15:1-11)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/15.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) <span class= "bld">Teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.</span>--Neither word is quite adequately rendered. The "doctrines" are not articles of faith, propositions to be believed, but precepts which were taught as binding. The "commandments" are single, special rules as contrasted with the divine "commandment," which was exceedingly broad.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">But in vain,</span> etc. The Hebrew gives, "And their fear of me is a commandment of men which hath been taught them," or "learned by rote" (Revised Version). Septuagint, "In vain do they worship me, teaching men's commandments and doctrines." Their worship is vitiated at its very root. <span class="cmt_word">Commandments of men.</span> This is Christ's designation of rabbinical traditions (comp. <a href="/colossians/2-22.htm">Colossians 2:22</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/15-9.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">They worship</span><br /><span class="grk">σέβονταί</span> <span class="translit">(sebontai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4576.htm">Strong's 4576: </a> </span><span class="str2">To reverence, worship, adore. Middle voice of an apparently primary verb; to revere, i.e. Adore.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Me</span><br /><span class="grk">με</span> <span class="translit">(me)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in vain;</span><br /><span class="grk">Μάτην</span> <span class="translit">(Matēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3155.htm">Strong's 3155: </a> </span><span class="str2">Accusative case of a derivative of the base of massaomai; folly, i.e. to no purpose.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they teach [as]</span><br /><span class="grk">Διδάσκοντες</span> <span class="translit">(Didaskontes)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1321.htm">Strong's 1321: </a> </span><span class="str2">To teach, direct, admonish. A prolonged form of a primary verb dao; to teach.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">doctrine</span><br /><span class="grk">διδασκαλίας</span> <span class="translit">(didaskalias)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1319.htm">Strong's 1319: </a> </span><span class="str2">Instruction, teaching. From didaskalos; instruction.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[the] precepts</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐντάλματα</span> <span class="translit">(entalmata)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1778.htm">Strong's 1778: </a> </span><span class="str2">An injunction, ordinance, precept. From entellomai; an injunction, i.e. Religious precept.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of men.’”</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀνθρώπων</span> <span class="translit">(anthrōpōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/15-9.htm">Matthew 15:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/15-9.htm">Matthew 15:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/15-9.htm">Matthew 15:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/15-9.htm">Matthew 15:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/15-9.htm">Matthew 15:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/15-9.htm">Matthew 15:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/15-9.htm">Matthew 15:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/15-9.htm">Matthew 15:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/15-9.htm">Matthew 15:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/15-9.htm">Matthew 15:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/15-9.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 15:9 And in vain do they worship me (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/15-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 15:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 15:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/15-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 15:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 15:10" /></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>