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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Mark 7:7 They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/mark/7-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/41_Mrk_07_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Mark 7:7 - Tradition and Worship" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.'" /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad7.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/mark/7-6.htm" title="Mark 7:6">◄</a> Mark 7:7 <a href="/mark/7-8.htm" title="Mark 7:8">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/mark/7.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/mark/7.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/mark/7.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/mark/7.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/mark/7.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/mark/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />and they worship Me in vain, teaching <i>as</i> doctrines <i>the</i> precepts of men.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/mark/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching <i>for</i> doctrines the commandments of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/mark/7.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_/mark/7.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/mark/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8216BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/mark/7.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/mark/7.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/mark/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />‘THEY WORSHIP ME IN VAIN [their worship is meaningless and worthless, a pretense], TEACHING THE PRECEPTS OF MEN AS DOCTRINES [giving their traditions equal weight with the Scriptures].’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/mark/7.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/mark/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They worship Me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commands of men. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/mark/7.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/mark/7.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/mark/7.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/mark/7.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/mark/7.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/mark/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Their worship of me is worthless, because they teach human rules as doctrines.' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/mark/7.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/mark/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They worship me in vain, teaching as doctrine the commandments of men.' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/mark/7.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/mark/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But, in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/mark/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />But idle is their devotion while they lay down precepts which are mere human rules.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/mark/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/mark/7.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/mark/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />and they worship Me in vain, teaching <i>as</i> doctrines <i>the</i> precepts of men.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/mark/7.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/mark/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And in vain they revere me, teaching doctrines the commands of men.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/mark/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And in vain to they worship me, teaching doctrines and precepts of men. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/mark/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And in vain do they worship me, teaching the doctrines and precepts of men.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/mark/7.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/mark/7.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/mark/7.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/mark/7.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />'And in vain they pay reverence to me as they teach doctrines of commandments of the sons of men.'<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/mark/7.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />In vain do they worship me, teaching precepts, the commandments of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/mark/7.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/mark/7.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Now vainly do they worship me, while teaching doctrines the commandments of men.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/mark/7.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the institutions of men."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/mark/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />But idle is their devotion while they lay down precepts which are mere human rules.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/mark/7.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>But in vain do they worship Me, teaching <i>as their</i> doctrines the precepts of men.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/mark/7.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>and 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/mark/7-7.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/DmwDTC71zvQ?start=2116" 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/mark/7.htm">Tradition and Worship</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">6</span>Jesus answered them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. <span class="reftext">7</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">8</span>You have disregarded the commandment of God to keep the tradition of men.”…<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="/matthew/15-8.htm">Matthew 15:8-9</a></span><br />‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. / 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="/jeremiah/12-2.htm">Jeremiah 12:2</a></span><br />You planted them, and they have taken root. They have grown and produced fruit. You are ever on their lips, but far from their hearts.<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="/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="/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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-19.htm">1 Corinthians 1:19-20</a></span><br />For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” / Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">However, in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.</p><p class="hdg">in vain.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/12-21.htm">1 Samuel 12:21</a></b></br> And turn ye not aside: for <i>then should ye go</i> after vain <i>things</i>, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they <i>are</i> vain.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/malachi/3-14.htm">Malachi 3:14</a></b></br> Ye have said, It <i>is</i> vain to serve God: and what profit <i>is it</i> that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/6-7.htm">Matthew 6:7</a></b></br> But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen <i>do</i>: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.</p><p class="hdg">the commandments.</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="/colossians/2-22.htm">Colossians 2:22</a></b></br> Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_timothy/4-1.htm">1 Timothy 4:1-3</a></b></br> Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/22-40.htm">Commandments</a> <a href="/mark/1-27.htm">Commands</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-2.htm">Devotion</a> <a href="/matthew/15-9.htm">Doctrines</a> <a href="/mark/5-19.htm">Howbeit</a> <a href="/matthew/24-22.htm">Human</a> <a href="/matthew/20-6.htm">Idle</a> <a href="/mark/5-4.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/mark/6-8.htm">Mere</a> <a href="/matthew/15-9.htm">Precepts</a> <a href="/mark/4-10.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/mark/7-5.htm">Rules</a> <a href="/mark/6-52.htm">Taught</a> <a href="/mark/6-34.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/matthew/15-9.htm">Teachings</a> <a href="/matthew/15-9.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/mark/5-6.htm">Worship</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/10-19.htm">Commandments</a> <a href="/mark/7-8.htm">Commands</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-35.htm">Devotion</a> <a href="/philippians/4-9.htm">Doctrines</a> <a href="/mark/14-28.htm">Howbeit</a> <a href="/mark/11-30.htm">Human</a> <a href="/luke/24-11.htm">Idle</a> <a href="/mark/7-32.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/luke/11-35.htm">Mere</a> <a href="/luke/1-6.htm">Precepts</a> <a href="/mark/14-4.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/mark/7-8.htm">Rules</a> <a href="/mark/9-31.htm">Taught</a> <a href="/mark/7-13.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/mark/8-38.htm">Teachings</a> <a href="/luke/6-43.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/mark/9-15.htm">Worship</a><div class="vheading2">Mark 7</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/7-1.htm">The Pharisees find fault with the disciples for eating with unwashed hands.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/7-8.htm">They break the commandment of God by the traditions of men.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/7-14.htm">Food defiles not the man.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/7-24.htm">He heals the Syrophenician woman's daughter of an unclean spirit;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/7-31.htm">and one that was deaf, and stammered in his speech.</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'; 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In the context of <a href="/mark/7.htm">Mark 7</a>, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees and scribes who prioritize human traditions over God's commandments. This echoes <a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">Isaiah 29:13</a>, where God criticizes Israel for honoring Him with their lips while their hearts are far from Him. The concept of "vain worship" suggests that external rituals and ceremonies are meaningless if they are not accompanied by genuine devotion and obedience to God. This serves as a warning against hypocrisy and emphasizes the importance of sincerity in worship.<p><b>they teach as doctrine</b><br>Here, Jesus criticizes the religious leaders for elevating human traditions to the level of divine commandments. This reflects a broader theme in the Gospels where Jesus challenges the legalism and traditionalism of the Pharisees. The term "doctrine" implies teachings that are considered authoritative and binding. By teaching human precepts as doctrine, the leaders are misleading the people and distorting the true message of God's law. This critique is relevant to the broader biblical narrative, where God consistently calls His people to adhere to His Word rather than human inventions.<p><b>the precepts of men.’</b><br>This phrase underscores the human origin of the teachings that the Pharisees are promoting. In contrast to the divine origin of Scripture, these "precepts of men" are man-made rules and traditions that have been added to God's law. This reflects a common issue in religious practice where human traditions can overshadow or even contradict the teachings of Scripture. The emphasis on "men" highlights the fallibility and limitations of human wisdom compared to divine revelation. This critique is consistent with other biblical passages that warn against adding to or taking away from God's Word (<a href="/deuteronomy/4-2.htm">Deuteronomy 4:2</a>, <a href="/revelation/22-18.htm">Revelation 22:18-19</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees and scribes, highlighting their misplaced priorities in worship.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharisees_and_scribes.htm">Pharisees and Scribes</a></b><br>Religious leaders of the time who are criticized by Jesus for prioritizing human traditions over God's commandments.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a></b><br>The prophet whose words Jesus quotes to illustrate the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and scribes.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where many of these religious leaders were based and where Jesus often taught.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a></b><br>Followers of Jesus who are present during this teaching and are learning from His correction of the Pharisees.<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, not human traditions or interpretations.<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_in_teaching.htm">Discernment in Teaching</a></b><br>Believers must discern between God's commandments and human traditions, ensuring that their faith is grounded in Scripture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/transformation_through_christ.htm">Transformation Through Christ</a></b><br>Our lives should reflect a transformation that aligns with God's will, moving beyond superficial adherence to traditions.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_mark_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Mark 7</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_your_name_to_be_revered.htm">What defines unbiblical worship practices?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_adrian_rogers'_impact.htm">Do they honor me with lips, not hearts?</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_does_the_bible_say_about_a_full_moon.htm">What does the Bible mention about a full moon?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/mark/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(7) <span class= "bld">In vain do they worship me.</span>--The word used here and in <a href="/matthew/15-9.htm" title="But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.">Matthew 15:9</a>, is not that commonly used to express the outward act of homage, but one which expresses (as in <a href="/acts/18-13.htm" title="Saying, This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.">Acts 18:13</a>) inward devotion.<p><span class= "bld">The commandments.</span>--The two Greek words used for "commandment" in this and the following verses are, as has been said in the Note on <a href="/matthew/15-9.htm" title="But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.">Matthew 15:9</a>, not quite the same in meaning; that in this verse pointing to many detailed precepts; that in the next to the commandment which is "exceeding broad."<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/mark/7-7.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</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">[as] 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/mark/7-7.htm">Mark 7:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/mark/7-7.htm">Mark 7:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/mark/7-7.htm">Mark 7:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/mark/7-7.htm">Mark 7:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/mark/7-7.htm">Mark 7:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/mark/7-7.htm">Mark 7:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/mark/7-7.htm">Mark 7:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/mark/7-7.htm">Mark 7:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/mark/7-7.htm">Mark 7:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/mark/7-7.htm">Mark 7:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/mark/7-7.htm">NT Gospels: Mark 7:7 But in vain do they worship me (Mar Mk Mr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/mark/7-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Mark 7:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Mark 7:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/mark/7-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Mark 7:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Mark 7:8" /></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>