Matthew 15:9

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

But {G1161} in vain {G3155} they do worship {G4576} me {G3165}, teaching {G1321} for doctrines {G1319} the commandments {G1778} of men {G444}.

Their worship of me is useless, because they teach man-made rules as if they were doctrines.'"

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

But in vain do they worship me, Teachingas theirdoctrines the precepts of men.

Matthew 15:9 is a pivotal verse where Jesus directly confronts the religious leaders of His day, condemning their practice of prioritizing human traditions over divine commandments. This verse, quoted by Jesus from the prophet Isaiah, highlights the futility of worship that is merely external and based on man-made rules rather than heartfelt obedience to God's revealed will.

Context

This statement by Jesus comes in response to a challenge from the Pharisees and scribes. They questioned why Jesus' disciples did not observe the traditional ritual of washing their hands before eating, a custom not mandated by Mosaic Law but by human tradition. Jesus' counter-argument, spanning Matthew 15:3-8, exposes their hypocrisy: they meticulously upheld minor human regulations while neglecting or even violating significant commandments of God, such as honoring parents by dedicating resources to God (the "Corban" practice, Mark 7:11). Verse 9 serves as the climax of His indictment, directly quoting Isaiah 29:13 to underscore their spiritual blindness and misdirected devotion.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Vain Worship: The core message is that worship becomes "vain" (Greek: matēn, meaning useless, empty, or without purpose) when it is not rooted in truth and genuine devotion to God. It highlights that external rituals or adherence to human rules, however well-intentioned, cannot substitute for true obedience and a right heart.
  • Divine Authority vs. Human Tradition: Jesus sharply contrasts "doctrines the commandments of men" with God's own commandments. The verse emphasizes that human traditions, when elevated to the status of divine law, corrupt true religion and lead people away from God's actual will.
  • Hypocrisy: The Pharisees were outwardly pious but inwardly far from God, a theme Jesus often addressed. Their worship was for show and relied on external conformity rather than internal transformation, illustrating the dangers of religious legalism.
  • Authenticity in Faith: True worship must be sincere, from the heart, and based on God's Word, not on human invention. This resonates with Jesus' teaching on worshiping God in spirit and in truth.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "vain" is matēn (ματην), signifying futility or emptiness. It implies that such worship, despite its outward appearance, produces no spiritual benefit or pleases God. The term "doctrines" (Greek: didaskalias) refers to teachings or instructions. Jesus' point is that they were teaching human instructions *as if* they were divine doctrines, thereby misleading the people and rendering their worship meaningless.

Practical Application

Matthew 15:9 remains profoundly relevant for believers today. It challenges us to examine the foundations of our faith and worship:

  • Scrutinize Traditions: We must constantly evaluate our religious practices and traditions against the clear teachings of Scripture. Are we prioritizing church customs, cultural norms, or personal preferences over God's explicit commands?
  • Heart Over Ritual: The verse reminds us that genuine worship is not merely about performing rituals or following rules, but about a transformed heart that seeks to please God in obedience and love. Our actions should flow from sincere devotion.
  • Biblical Authority: This verse underscores the supreme authority of God's Word. Our beliefs and practices must be grounded in the Bible, not in human philosophies or evolving societal norms. We are called to hold fast to sound doctrine.
  • Avoiding Hypocrisy: The passage serves as a warning against spiritual hypocrisy—appearing devout externally while lacking true devotion internally. God desires authenticity and integrity in our walk with Him.

In essence, Matthew 15:9 calls us to a pure and sincere faith, centered on God's Word and a heart devoted to Him, rather than on the empty traditions of men.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 29:13

    Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near [me] with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

  • Mark 7:7

    Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.

  • 1 Timothy 1:4

    Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: [so do].

  • Titus 1:14

    Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

  • Colossians 2:18

    Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

  • Colossians 2:22

    Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

  • 1 Timothy 4:6

    ¶ If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

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