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Matthew 15:9

Matthew 15:9 in Multiple Translations

They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ ”

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

But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men.

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

Their worship of me is pointless. What they teach are just man-made requirements.’”

But in vaine they worship me, teaching for doctrines, mens precepts.

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

And they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrine rules made by men.’”

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

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

It is useless for them to worship me, because they teach what people thought up as if I myself had commanded it.’”

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Berean Amplified Bible — Matthew 15:9

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Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

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Matthew 15:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK ματην δε σεβονται με διδασκοντες διδασκαλιας ενταλματα ανθρωπων
ματην matēn G3155 in vain Adv
δε de G1161 then Conj
σεβονται sebomai G4576 be devout Verb-PNI-3P
με egō G1473 I/we Pron-1AS
διδασκοντες didaskō G1321 to teach Verb-PAP-NPM
διδασκαλιας didaskalia G1319 teaching Noun-APF
ενταλματα entalma G1778 precept Noun-APN
ανθρωπων anthrōpos G444 a human Noun-GPM
Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Matthew 15:9

ματην matēn G3155 "in vain" Adv
This word means doing something in vain or to no purpose, like following rules without a genuine heart. It appears in Matthew 15:9 and Mark 7:7. It emphasizes the idea of futility or emptiness.
Definition: μάτην (prop. accusative of μάτη, a fault, folly), adv., [in LXX for הָבַל, שָׁוְא, etc. ;] in vain, to no purpose: Mat.15:9, Mrk.7:7" (LXX) .† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2 NT verses. KJV: in vain See also: Mark 7:7; Matthew 15:9.
δε de G1161 "then" Conj
This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.
Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.
σεβονται sebomai G4576 "be devout" Verb-PNI-3P
To be devout means to revere and adore God, like in Acts 16:14. It's about having a deep respect for God and showing it through worship and actions, as seen in the lives of devout people in the Bible.
Definition: σέβω [in LXX (chiefly for יָרֵא, Jos.4:24, al.) and NT always mid., σέβομαι, exc. 4Ma.5:24 ;] to worship: with accusative of person(s), Mat.15:9, Mrk.7:7, Act.18:13 19:27; σεβόμενος τ. θεόν, Act.16:14 18:7; σεβόμενοι (σ. προσήλυτοι, σ. Ἕλληνες), devout, Act.13:43, 50 17:4, 17 (cf. προσήλυτος).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 10 NT verses. KJV: devout, religious, worship See also: Acts 13:43; Acts 18:7; Matthew 15:9.
με egō G1473 "I/we" Pron-1AS
This is a pronoun meaning I or me, used by the speaker to refer to themselves. It is often used in the Bible to emphasize the speaker's identity.
Definition: ἐγώ, genitive, etc., ἐμοῦ, ἐμοί, ἐμέ (enclitic μου, μοι, με), pl. ἡμεῖς, -ῶν, -ῖν, -ᾶς, of person(s) pron. I. __(a) The nom. is usually emphatic, when expressed as subjc, as in Mat.3:11, Mrk.1:8, Luk.3:16, al. But often there is no apparent emphasis, as Mat.10:16, Jhn.10:17; ἰδοὺ ἐ. (= Heb. הִנֵּנִי, cf. 1Ki.3:8), Act.9:10; ἐ. (like Heb. אֲנִי), I am, Jhn.1:23 (LXX), Act.7:32 (LXX). __(b) The enclitic forms (see supr.) are used with nouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, where there is no emphasis: ἐν τ. πατρί μου, Jhn.14:20; μου τ. λόγους, Mat.7:24; ὀπίσω μου, Mat.3:11; ἰσχυρότερός μου, ib.; λέγει μοι, Rev.5:5; also with the prep. πρός, as Mrk.9:19, al. The full forms (ἐμοῦ, etc.) are used with the other prepositions, as δι᾽ ἐμοῦ, ἐν ἐμοί, εἰς ἐμέ, etc., also for emphasis, as Luk.10:16, Jhn.7:23, Mrk.14:7, al. __(with) The genitive μου and ἡμῶν are often used for the poss. pronouns ἐμός, ἡμέτερος: τ. λαόν μου, Mat.2:6; μου τῂ ἀπιστιᾳ, Mrk.9:24. __(d) τί ἐμοὶ καὶ σοί ( = Heb. מַה־לִי וָלָךְ, Jdg.11:12, al.), i.e. what have we in common: Mat.8:29, Mrk.1:24, 5:7, Luk.8:28, Jhn.2:4; τί γάρ μοι, 1Co.5:2. __(e) The interchange of ἐγώ and ἡμεῖς, common in π., appears in Pauline Epp. (see M, Pr., 86f., M, Th., 131f.). __(f) κἀγώ (= καὶ ἐγώ), and I, even I, I also: Mat.2:8, Luk.2:48, Jhn.6:56, Rom.3:7, 1Co.7:40, al.; κἀγώ . . . καί, both . . . and, Jhn.7:28. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1872 NT verses. KJV: I, me See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 16:24; 1 Peter 1:3.
διδασκοντες didaskō G1321 "to teach" Verb-PAP-NPM
This word means to teach or instruct someone, like Jesus teaching his disciples in Matthew 5:2. It can also mean to teach a thing or concept.
Definition: διδάσκω [in LXX chiefly for למד pl., also for ידע hi., ירה hi., etc. ;] to teach (i.e. instruct) a person, teach a thing; __1. trans.: with accusative of person(s), Mat.5:2, Mrk.1:22, al.; before ὅτι, Mrk.8:31; περί, 1Jn.2:27; with inf., Luk.11:1; with accusative of thing(s), Mrk.6:30 12:14; with cogn. accusative, Mat.15:9 (LXX); with dupl. accusative, Mrk.4:2, Jhn.14:26; pass., Gal.1:12, 2Th.2:15; with dative of person(s) (like Heb., cf. Job.21:23, but prob. a vernac. usage, see Swete, in l.), Rev.2:14. __2. Absol., to teach, give instruction: Mat.4:23, Mrk.1:21, and often in Gosp., Rom.12:7, 1Co.4:17, 1Ti.2:12, al. SYN.: παιδεύω (cf. Westc., Heb., 402; Cremer, 180). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 91 NT verses. KJV: teach See also: 1 Corinthians 4:17; Luke 6:6; Hebrews 5:12.
διδασκαλιας didaskalia G1319 "teaching" Noun-APF
This word refers to the act of teaching or instruction, as seen in Romans 12:7 and Ephesians 4:14. It can also mean doctrine or learning.
Definition: διδασκαλία, -ας, ἡ (διδάσκω), [in LXX: Pro.2:17 (אַלּוּף), Isa.29:13 (לָמַד), Sir.24:33 39:8 * ;] teaching, instruction, in both active and objective senses, most frequently the latter: Rom.12:7 15:4, Eph.4:14, 1Ti.4:6, 13, 16 5:17 6:1, 3, 2Ti.3:10 3:16, Tit.2:7, 10; ὑγιαινοῦσα δ., 1Ti.1:10, 2Ti.4:3, Tit.1:9 2:1; pl., δ. τ. ἀνθρώπων, Col.2:22; δ. δαιμονίων, 1Ti.4:1, δ. διδάσκειν, Mat.15:9, Mrk.7:7" (LXX) (Cremer, 182).† SYN.: διδαχή (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 21 NT verses. KJV: doctrine, learning, teaching See also: 1 Timothy 1:10; 2 Timothy 4:3; Romans 12:7.
ενταλματα entalma G1778 "precept" Noun-APN
This word means a precept or commandment from God, as seen in Matthew 15:9 and Mark 7:7. It refers to a specific instruction or teaching. The Bible often uses this term to describe God's laws and commandments.
Definition: ἔνταλμα, -τος, τό (ἐντέλλω), [in LXX: Job.23:11 (אָשֻׁר) Job.23:12, Isa.29:13 (מִצְוָה), Isa.55:11 (aliter in Heb.)* ;] a precept: pl., Mat.15:9 (LXX), Mrk.7:7, Col.2:22.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 3 NT verses. KJV: commandment See also: Colossians 2:22; Mark 7:7; Matthew 15:9.
ανθρωπων anthrōpos G444 "a human" Noun-GPM
This word means a human being, and is used in the Bible to describe people, like in John 16:21 and Romans 7:1.
Definition: ἄνθρωπος, -ου, ὁ, [in LXX chiefly for אִישׁ ,אָדָם, also for אֱנוֹשׁ, etc. ;] man: __1. generically, a human being, male or female (Lat. homo): Jhn.16:21; with art., Mat.4:4 12:35, Mrk.2:27, Jhn.2:25, Rom.7:1, al; disting. from God, Mat.19:6, Jhn.10:33, Col.3:23, al.; from animals, etc., Mat.4:19, Luk.5:10, Rev.9:4, al.; implying human frailty and imperfection, 1Co.3:4; σοφία ἀνθρώπων, 1Co.2:5; ἀνθρώπων ἐπιθυμίαι, 1Pe.4:2; κατὰ ἄνθρωπον περιπατεῖν, 1Co.3:3; κατὰ ἄ. λέγειν (λαλεῖν), Rom.3:5, 1Co.9:8; κατὰ ἄ- λέγειν, Gal.3:15 (cf. 1Co.15:32, Gal.1:11); by meton., of man's nature or condition, ὁ ἔσω (ἔξω) ἄ., Rom.7:22, Eph.3:16, 2Co.4:16 (cf. 1Pe.3:4); ὁ παλαιὸς, καινὸς, νέος ἄ., Rom.6:6, Eph.2:15 4:22, 24 Col.3:9, 10; joined with another subst., ἄ. ἔμπορος, a merchant, Mat.13:45 (WH, txt. om. ἄ.); οἰκοδεσπότης, Mat.13:52; βασιλεύς, 18:23; φάγος, 11:19; with name of nation, Κυρηναῖος, Mat.27:32; Ἰουδαῖος, Act.21:39; Ῥωμαῖος, Act.16:37; pl. οἱ ἄ., men, people: Mat.5:13, 16 Mrk.8:24, Jhn.4:28; οὐδεὶς ἀνθρώπων, Mrk.11:2, 1Ti.6:16. __2. Indef., ἄ. = τις, some one, a man: Mat.17:14, Mrk.12:1, al.; τις ἄ., Mat.18:12, Jhn.5:5, al.; indef. one (Fr. on), Rom.3:28, Gal.2:16, al.; opposite to women, servants, etc., Mat.10:36 19:10, Jhn.7:22, 23. __3. Definitely, with art., of some particular person; Mat.12:13, Mrk.3:5, al.; οὗτος ὁ ἄ., Luk.14:30; ὁ ἄ οὗτος, ἐκεῖνος, Mrk.14:71, Mat.12:45; ὁ ἄ. τ. ἀνομίας, 2Th.2:3; ἄ τ. θεοῦ (of Heb. אִישׁ אֱלֹהִים), 1Ti.6:11, 2Ti.3:17, 2Pe.1:21; ὁ υἰὸς τοῦ ἀ., see: υἱός. SYN.: ἀνήρ, which see (and cf. MM, VGT, 44; Cremer, 103, 635). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 503 NT verses. KJV: certain, man See also: 1 Corinthians 1:25; Acts 22:25; 1 Peter 1:24.

Study Notes — Matthew 15:9

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Isaiah 29:13 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.
2 Mark 7:7 They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’
3 1 Timothy 1:4 or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith.
4 Titus 1:14 and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who have rejected the truth.
5 Colossians 2:18–22 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you with speculation about what he has seen. Such a person is puffed up without basis by his unspiritual mind. He has lost connection to the head, from whom the whole body, supported and knit together by its joints and ligaments, grows as God causes it to grow. If you have died with Christ to the spiritual forces of the world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its regulations: “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”? These will all perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.
6 1 Timothy 4:6–7 By pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of faith and sound instruction that you have followed. But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness.
7 Hebrews 13:9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace and not by foods of no value to those devoted to them.
8 Isaiah 58:1–3 “Cry aloud, do not hold back! Raise your voice like a ram’s horn. Declare to My people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins. For day after day they seek Me and delight to know My ways, like a nation that does what is right and does not forsake the justice of their God. They ask Me for righteous judgments; they delight in the nearness of God.” “Why have we fasted, and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?” “Behold, on the day of your fast, you do as you please, and you oppress all your workers.
9 James 2:20 O foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is worthless?
10 Deuteronomy 12:32 See that you do everything I command you; do not add to it or subtract from it.

Matthew 15:9 Summary

This verse means that some people may think they are worshiping God, but they are actually doing it in a way that doesn't truly honor Him, because their hearts are not in it. Jesus says this is because they are teaching human traditions as if they were God's laws, instead of following what God really says. To worship God truly, we need to love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 22:37-40. We should also remember that it's not just about what we do on the outside, but about having a pure heart, as Jesus explains in Matthew 15:10-11.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to worship God in vain?

Worshiping God in vain means to go through the motions of worship without a genuine heart connection with Him, as seen in Matthew 15:9, and also warned against in Isaiah 29:13 and Matthew 23:25-28, where Jesus teaches that true worship comes from the heart.

Why does Jesus say they teach as doctrine the precepts of men?

Jesus says this because the people were prioritizing human traditions and teachings over God's commands, as also seen in Mark 7:8, where Jesus quotes Isaiah 29:13, emphasizing the importance of following God's Word above human traditions.

How can we avoid worshiping God in vain?

To avoid worshiping God in vain, we must ensure our hearts are genuinely surrendered to Him, as emphasized in Matthew 22:37-40, where Jesus teaches that loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind is the greatest commandment, and in John 4:24, where Jesus says that true worshipers will worship God in spirit and truth.

What is the relationship between this verse and the rest of the passage?

This verse is part of a larger passage where Jesus is teaching about the importance of inner purity and the dangers of hypocrisy, as seen in Matthew 15:10-11, where Jesus explains that it is not what enters the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of it, emphasizing the importance of a pure heart.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways you may be worshiping God in vain, and how can you make a change to worship Him more genuinely?
  2. How do you prioritize God's commands over human traditions in your daily life?
  3. What does it mean to you to teach as doctrine the precepts of men, and how can you avoid doing so?
  4. In what ways can you cultivate a heart of true worship, as described in John 4:24, and make sure your worship is not in vain?

Gill's Exposition on Matthew 15:9

But in vain do they worship me,.... In the Hebrew text it is, "their fear towards me": which is rightly expressed here by "worship"; for the fear of God often intends the whole worship of God, both

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 15:9

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

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 15:9

Ver. 7-9. The Greek is, didaskontev didaskaliav, teaching doctrines, the commandments of men. Ye hypocrites, who put on an outward vizard or appearance of holiness, but have nothing in your hearts of true and severe piety, well did Isaiah prophesy of you: Isaiah spake to the Jews that were then in being, but what he then said of your forefathers that lived in his age, is true of you who are their children. Saying, This people, &c. The evangelist doth not quote the words of the prophet exactly, but his sense, and teacheth us this lesson, That whatsoever outward show and profession of religion be in and upon men, if their hearts be not right with God, and what they outwardly do proceed not from an inward principle of faith, love, and obedience in and to God, they are but hypocrites. In vain do they worship me, &c.; that is, idly, and unprofitably, and to no purpose: I will not account what they do. Teaching doctrines, the commandments of men: he means in the worship of God, for other commandments of men are not the preacher’ s texts, nor doth he here mean by commandments of men such as backed the commandments of God, and only served to enforce them, but such as he had been speaking of, human traditions, of which God had said nothing, as washing of hands; or such traditions as enervated the commandments of God; such were the last mentioned.

Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 15:9

9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Ver. 9. But in vain do they worship me] For they lose their labour, and, which is worse, they commit sin. Displeasing service is double dishonour, as dissembled sanctity is double iniquity. Teaching for doctrines the commandments of men] So do Papists. The pope can do all things that Christ can do, saith Hostiensis. He can of wickedness make righteousness, saith Bellarmine; of virtue, vice; of nothing, something. His determinations are ipsissimum Dei verbum, the very word of God, saith Hosius. Murders, treasons, thefts, &c.-there is no command of the moral law, but they can dispense with it; but none of their ceremonial law. Let God, say they, look to the breach of his own law, we will look to ours. Heathen Socrates and Cicero shall rise up against these pseudo-Christians, and condemn them. God, said Socrates, will he worshipped with that kind of worship only which himself hath commanded. He will not be worshipped, said Cicero, with superstition, but with piety: Deus non superstitione coli vult sed pietate.

Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 15:9

(9) Teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.—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.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 15:9

Verse 9. In vain they do worship me, c.] By the traditions of the elders, not only the word of God was perverted, but his worship also was greatly corrupted. But the Jews were not the only people who have acted thus: whole Christian Churches, as well as sects and parties, have acted in the same way. Men must not mould the worship of God according to their fancy - it is not what they think will do - is proper, innocent, &c., but what God himself has prescribed, that he will acknowledge as his worship. However sincere a man may be in a worship of his own invention, or of man's commandment, yet it profits him nothing. Christ himself says it is in vain. To condemn such, may appear to some illiberal but whatever may be said in behalf of sincere heathens, and others who have not had the advantages of Divine Revelation, there is no excuse for the man who has the BIBLE before him.

Cambridge Bible on Matthew 15:9

Ch. Matthew 15:1-20. The True Religion and the False. A Discourse to the Pharisees, the People, and the Disciples Mark 7:1-23 These twenty verses sum up the great controversy of the N. T., that between the religion of the letter and external observances and the religion of the heart, between what St Paul calls “the righteousness which is of the law and the righteousness which is of God by (or grounded upon) faith,” Philippians 3:9.

Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 15:9

9. In vain they do worship me — Their very prayers offered in that spirit are a mockery and abomination to God.

Sermons on Matthew 15:9

SermonDescription
Zac Poonen Characteristics of Pharisees - 1 by Zac Poonen In this sermon, the speaker warns against following blind leaders who lack clear vision and love for others. He advises against following legalistic individuals, even if they hold
John Rhys Watkins The Dreamer by John Rhys Watkins In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of surrendering to the will of God and living a selfless life. He uses the story of Joseph to illustrate how even in the face
Robert Wurtz II The Dispensation of the Gospel - Lesson 4 by Robert Wurtz II In this sermon, the preacher continues the series on "The Distantiation of the Gospel, Rediscovering the Workings of the Holy Ghost." The first lesson focused on the born-again exp
A.W. Tozer Grappling With Change by A.W. Tozer A.W. Tozer emphasizes the necessity of reformation within the church, defining it as a change that removes faults and restores a former good state. He critiques the complacency of
C.H. Spurgeon Our Field of Battle by C.H. Spurgeon The preacher discusses the importance of sound doctrine in Christianity, emphasizing that doctrine encompasses the essential theological truths rooted in the life of Jesus Christ.
A.W. Tozer Superstitious Shadows by A.W. Tozer A.W. Tozer emphasizes that true faith honors God by accepting His revealed character, while superstition degrades His reputation by believing in unworthy notions. He argues that ev
George Fox Epistle 161 by George Fox George Fox urges believers to avoid the distractions and temptations of worldly desires and cares, emphasizing the importance of remaining steadfast in faith and not succumbing to

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