Matthew 15:7

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

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

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

You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you:

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

Commentary

In Matthew 15:7, Jesus issues a sharp rebuke to the Pharisees and scribes, setting the stage for a powerful indictment of their religious practices. This verse serves as a direct accusation before He quotes the prophet Isaiah, highlighting their spiritual insincerity.

Context

This verse is part of a broader discourse where Jewish religious leaders from Jerusalem challenge Jesus regarding His disciples' failure to observe the traditional washing of hands before eating. This was not a commandment from the Mosaic Law but a man-made tradition. Jesus turns the accusation back on them, demonstrating how their traditions nullified God's actual commandments, such as the commandment to honor one's parents (Matthew 15:4). His declaration, "Ye hypocrites," reveals the core issue: their outward piety masked an inward rebellion against God's true will, focusing on external rituals rather than the condition of the heart.

Key Themes

  • Hypocrisy Unveiled: Jesus directly calls the religious leaders "hypocrites," exposing the chasm between their public religious display and their true motives. This theme is central to understanding Jesus' critiques of the religious establishment throughout the Gospels.
  • Prophetic Fulfillment: By stating, "well did Esaias prophesy of you," Jesus affirms the timeless relevance of God's Word. He immediately connects their current behavior to the ancient prophecy found in Isaiah 29:13, underscoring that their spiritual barrenness was foretold.
  • The Heart of Worship: This verse, leading into the quote from Isaiah, emphasizes that God values genuine devotion from the heart over mere outward observance or adherence to human traditions. True worship is not about ritualistic performance but about a sincere relationship with God.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated as "hypocrites" is hypokrites (ὑποκριταί). In ancient Greek theater, a hypokrites was an actor who wore a mask and played a role. Jesus uses this term to describe those who outwardly appear religious but inwardly are far from God, putting on a show of piety without genuine spiritual substance. This reveals the true nature of their religious pretense.

Practical Application

Jesus' indictment of hypocrisy in Matthew 15:7 serves as a timeless warning. It challenges believers to examine their own hearts and motives in their faith journey. Are our religious practices driven by a genuine desire to please God and obey His Word, or are they merely external performances for the approval of others? This verse calls for authenticity, reminding us that God looks beyond outward appearances to the sincerity of our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7). It encourages a faith rooted in transformation rather than mere tradition.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
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