Matthew 15:7

KJV

[Ye] hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

Ye hypocrites {G5273}, well {G2573} did {G4395} Esaias {G2268} prophesy {G4395} of {G4012} you {G5216}, saying {G3004},

Complete Jewish Bible

You hypocrites! Yesha`yahu was right when he prophesied about you,

Berean Standard Bible

You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you:

American Standard Version

Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 15:7, Jesus delivers a pointed rebuke to the Pharisees and scribes, labeling them "hypocrites" and asserting that the ancient prophecy of Isaiah accurately describes their spiritual condition. This verse serves as a foundational declaration, exposing the religious leaders' insincerity and setting the stage for Jesus' subsequent critique of their man-made traditions that nullified God's commandments, underscoring the critical distinction between outward religious performance and genuine heart-level devotion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a significant confrontation between Jesus and the religious authorities, specifically Pharisees and scribes who had traveled from Jerusalem to Galilee. The immediate preceding verses (Matthew 15:1-6) detail their challenge to Jesus regarding His disciples' failure to observe the traditional hand-washing rituals before eating. This tradition, though widely practiced, was a human custom, not a divine commandment. Jesus skillfully turns their accusation back on them, demonstrating how their devotion to such traditions led them to disregard and even nullify God's explicit commands, particularly the fifth commandment to honor one's parents, as illustrated by their "Corban" practice (Matthew 15:5-6). Thus, [Matthew 15:7](/matthew/15-7 "Matthew 15:7 - Jesus' Indictment of Hypocrisy") acts as Jesus' direct, scathing indictment of their character, setting the stage for His subsequent quotation of Isaiah 29:13, which provides the prophetic basis for His accusation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish society, particularly among the Pharisees, placed immense value on oral traditions and ritual purity. These traditions, often codified in the Mishnah and later the Talmud, were considered by many to be as authoritative as the written Torah. The washing of hands before meals, while not commanded by Moses, was a deeply ingrained custom, symbolizing ritual purity and adherence to rabbinic authority. By challenging this tradition, Jesus was directly confronting the religious establishment's authority and their interpretation of piety. The term "hypocrites" (Greek: _hypokritēs_) originally referred to an actor or stage-player who wore a mask, signifying someone who pretends to be what they are not. Jesus' use of this term was a severe condemnation, implying that the Pharisees' outward display of piety was a mere performance, lacking genuine internal commitment to God's will.

* **Key Themes:** [Matthew 15:7](/matthew/15-7 "Matthew 15:7 - The Theme of Hypocrisy") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel and Jesus' ministry. Firstly, it powerfully highlights the theme of **Hypocrisy Unveiled**, as Jesus directly exposes the chasm between the religious leaders' public image and their true spiritual condition. This theme is pervasive in Jesus' critiques, particularly in [Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees"). Secondly, it underscores the **Supremacy of God's Word over Human Tradition**, demonstrating how human customs, even well-intentioned ones, can become obstacles to true obedience and worship when they supersede divine commands. This is a central point of contention throughout [Matthew 15](/matthew/15 "Matthew 15 - Clean and Unclean"). Finally, the verse, by introducing the prophecy from Isaiah, emphasizes the theme of **Prophetic Fulfillment and Divine Judgment**, affirming that the spiritual barrenness and insincerity of the religious leaders were not unforeseen but were, in fact, foretold by God's ancient prophets.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **hypocrites (Greek, _hypokritḗs_):** From G5273, meaning "an actor under an assumed character (stage-player), i.e. (figuratively) a dissembler." Jesus uses this term to denote those who outwardly appear religious but inwardly are far from God. It points to a profound disconnect between external religious performance and internal spiritual reality, exposing a deliberate pretense and insincerity in their devotion.
* **well (Greek, _kalōs_):** From G2573, an adverb meaning "well (usually morally)." In this context, it signifies that Isaiah's prophecy was not merely accurate in a factual sense, but perfectly fitting and morally appropriate in its description of the Pharisees' spiritual state. It implies a divine endorsement of the prophecy's relevance and precision in identifying their true character.
* **prophesy (Greek, _prophēteúō_):** From G4395, meaning "to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office." This word emphasizes that Isaiah's words were not just human observations but divinely inspired utterances. Jesus' declaration that Isaiah "well did prophesy" underscores the authority and timeless relevance of God's prophetic word, directly applying an ancient divine message to the contemporary spiritual condition of the Jewish leaders.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Ye hypocrites,"**: Jesus' direct and unvarnished address to the Pharisees and scribes. This is a severe and intentional accusation, labeling them as actors or pretenders whose outward religious displays mask an inner spiritual corruption and insincerity. It cuts to the core of their character, exposing the chasm between their public piety and their true motives.
* **"well did Esaias prophesy of you,"**: This phrase validates the accuracy and divine inspiration of the prophet Isaiah's words, asserting that his ancient prophecy precisely describes the spiritual condition of the very religious leaders Jesus is confronting. The adverb "well" emphasizes the perfect fittingness and moral appropriateness of Isaiah's indictment, indicating that their current behavior is a direct fulfillment of what God had revealed centuries prior.
* **"saying,"**: This serves as an introductory word, signaling that Jesus is about to quote the specific prophecy from Isaiah that applies directly to the Pharisees and scribes. It bridges this direct accusation with the prophetic text, providing the scriptural basis for His condemnation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. **Direct Address** is immediately evident in "Ye hypocrites," a confrontational and unreserved accusation that strips away any pretense. This is followed by **Allusion** and **Prophetic Fulfillment**, as Jesus alludes to and then explicitly states that Isaiah's prophecy is being fulfilled in their actions. The phrase "well did Esaias prophesy of you" functions as a form of **Irony**, as Jesus uses a statement of commendation ("well did... prophesy") to deliver a devastating critique, implying that Isaiah's words were perfectly aimed at their spiritual failing. The very term "**Hypocrites**" itself is a powerful **Metaphor**, comparing the religious leaders to actors wearing masks, signifying their deceptive nature and the disjunction between their external appearance of piety and their internal spiritual reality.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 15:7 establishes a profound theological truth: God prioritizes genuine heart-devotion over outward religious performance. Jesus' indictment of the Pharisees highlights a recurring tension in biblical theology—the danger of ritualism and legalism eclipsing true worship and obedience. This verse, by invoking Isaiah, underscores the timeless nature of God's concern for the heart, revealing that human traditions, when elevated above divine commands, lead to spiritual blindness and hypocrisy. It serves as a stark reminder that authentic faith is characterized by an inward transformation that naturally flows into outward actions, rather than an external adherence to rules for the sake of appearance or social approval.

* [Isaiah 29:13](/isaiah/29-13 "Isaiah 29:13 - The Prophecy of Lip Service")
* [Mark 7:6-7](/mark/7-6-7 "Mark 7:6-7 - Jesus Quotes Isaiah to the Pharisees")
* [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jesus' sharp rebuke in Matthew 15:7 serves as a timeless mirror for all who claim to follow God. It compels us to deeply examine the sincerity of our own faith and religious practices. Are our spiritual disciplines, acts of service, or expressions of devotion truly rooted in a genuine love for God and a desire to honor His word, or are they, at times, merely external performances designed to gain approval from others, maintain a certain image, or fulfill a sense of obligation without true heart engagement? This verse challenges us to move beyond superficial religiosity to cultivate an authentic, inward relationship with God, where our hearts are truly aligned with His will. It calls us to prioritize obedience to God's commandments over human traditions, ensuring that our worship is not just lip service but a sincere offering from a transformed heart.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to prioritize outward religious appearance over genuine heart transformation?**
* **Are there any traditions or practices in my faith that I might be elevating above God's direct commands or the spirit of His law?**
* **How can I cultivate a more authentic and sincere devotion to God that flows from the heart rather than from external pressure or expectation?**

### FAQ

**What does Jesus mean by calling the Pharisees "hypocrites" in this context?**

Answer: When Jesus calls the Pharisees "hypocrites" in [Matthew 15:7](/matthew/15-7 "Matthew 15:7 - Jesus' Condemnation of Hypocrisy"), He is using a term (Greek: _hypokritēs_) that originally referred to an actor on a stage who wore a mask and played a role. In this context, Jesus means that the Pharisees' outward religious practices and displays of piety were a mere performance, a facade that concealed their true inner spiritual condition. They appeared devout and righteous to others, meticulously observing human traditions like hand-washing, but their hearts were far from God. Their focus on external rules and traditions led them to neglect and even nullify God's actual commandments, such as honoring parents, revealing a deep insincerity and a disconnect between their actions and their true motives.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 15:7, with its scathing indictment of the Pharisees' hypocrisy, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate revelation of Christ as the embodiment of genuine righteousness and the fulfillment of true worship. The Pharisees' reliance on external traditions and their "lip service" (as quoted from [Isaiah 29:13](/isaiah/29-13 "Isaiah 29:13 - Prophecy of Lip Service")) stands in stark contrast to Jesus, who did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it, not through ritualistic adherence but through perfect obedience from the heart ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). Jesus, unlike the hypocritical leaders, perfectly embodied the spirit of the Law, demonstrating that true worship is not about outward show but about loving God with all one's heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving one's neighbor as oneself ([Matthew 22:37-40](/matthew/22-37-40 "Matthew 22:37-40 - The Greatest Commandments")). His life, death, and resurrection reveal the path to authentic relationship with God, a relationship forged not through human traditions or self-righteousness, but through faith in Him, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way")). The hypocrisy condemned in this verse highlights the desperate need for a Savior who could offer not just external cleansing, but a radical internal transformation, a new heart and a new spirit, which is precisely what Christ provides through His atoning work ([Ezekiel 36:26](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26 - A New Heart and Spirit")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 7:6

He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with [their] lips, but their heart is far from me.

Matthew 23:23

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier [matters] of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Matthew 23:29

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,

Acts 28:25

And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,

Acts 28:27

For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Matthew 7:5

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.