Matthew 15:13

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

Complete Jewish Bible:

He replied, "Every plant that my Father in heaven has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.

Berean Standard Bible:

But Jesus replied, “Every plant that My heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by its roots.

American Standard Version:

But he answered and said, Every plant which my heavenly Father planted not, shall be rooted up.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But^{G1161} he answered^{G611} and said^{G2036}, Every^{G3956} plant^{G5451}, which^{G3739} my^{G3450} heavenly^{G3770} Father^{G3962} hath^{G5452} not^{G3756} planted^{G5452}, shall be rooted up^{G1610}.

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Commentary for Matthew 15:13

Matthew 15:13 is a verse in the New Testament where Jesus is speaking to his disciples about the Pharisees and scribes who have criticized the disciples for not following the traditional Jewish hand-washing customs before eating. In response, Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah to rebuke them, declaring that their worship is in vain because they prioritize human traditions over God's commandments (Matthew 15:8-9). The verse in question is part of Jesus' explanation that what truly defiles a person is not what goes into the mouth but what comes out of the heart, such as evil thoughts, murder, adultery, and so on (Matthew 15:11, 18-19).

In Matthew 15:13, Jesus uses an agricultural metaphor to convey a spiritual truth. The "plant" represents teachings, traditions, or practices, while the "heavenly Father" symbolizes the ultimate divine authority. Jesus is emphasizing that any belief or tradition not instituted by God ("which my heavenly Father hath not planted") is not only unauthorized but will ultimately be destroyed or "rooted up." This metaphor speaks to the impermanence and futility of human-made doctrines when they are not aligned with God's will.

The historical context of this verse reflects the tension between Jesus' teachings and the established religious authorities of the time. The Pharisees and scribes were key figures in Jewish society, known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and the oral traditions that had developed around it. Jesus' message challenged the legitimacy of these traditions when they contradicted the heart of God's law, which is to love and obey God wholeheartedly and to love one's neighbor as oneself.

In essence, Matthew 15:13 underscores the importance of discerning God's true teachings from human additions, and it warns of the eventual judgment that will uproot and discard what is not of God. This verse encourages believers to examine their beliefs and practices, ensuring they are rooted in divine truth rather than human tradition.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G611
   There are 248 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀποκρίνομαι
   Transliteration: apokrínomai
   Pronunciation: ap-ok-ree'-nom-ahee
   Description: from ἀπό and ; to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare עָנָה) to begin to speak (where an address is expected):--answer.
   
3. Strong's Number: G2036
   There are 901 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔπω
   Transliteration: épō
   Pronunciation: ep'-o
   Description: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ἐρέω, ῥέω, and φημί); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare λέγω.
   
4. Strong's Number: G3956
   There are 1075 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πᾶς
   Transliteration: pâs
   Pronunciation: pas
   Description: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
   
5. Strong's Number: G5451
   There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: φυτεία
   Transliteration: phyteía
   Pronunciation: foo-ti'-ah
   Description: from φυτεύω; trans-planting, i.e. (concretely) a shrub or vegetable:--plant.
   
6. Strong's Number: G3739
   There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅς
   Transliteration: hós
   Pronunciation: ho
   Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ.
   
7. Strong's Number: G3450
   There are 471 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μοῦ
   Transliteration: moû
   Pronunciation: moo
   Description: the simpler form of ἐμοῦ; of me:--I, me, mine (own), my.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3770
   There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὐράνιος
   Transliteration: ouránios
   Pronunciation: oo-ran'-ee-os
   Description: from οὐρανός; celestial, i.e. belonging to or coming from the sky:--heavenly.
   
9. Strong's Number: G3962
   There are 372 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πατήρ
   Transliteration: patḗr
   Pronunciation: pat-ayr'
   Description: apparently a primary word; a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote):--father, parent.
   
10. Strong's Number: G5452
    There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: φυτεύω
    Transliteration: phyteúō
    Pronunciation: foot-yoo'-o
    Description: from a derivative of φύω; to set out in the earth, i.e. implant; figuratively, to instil doctrine:--plant.
    
11. Strong's Number: G3756
    There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐ
    Transliteration: ou
    Pronunciation: ookh
    Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
    
12. Strong's Number: G1610
    There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐκριζόω
    Transliteration: ekrizóō
    Pronunciation: ek-rid-zo'-o
    Description: from ἐκ and ῥιζόω; to uproot:--pluck up by the root, root up.