Matthew 15 · Verse 9

Matthew 15:9

But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Matthew 15:9, King James Version

Matthew 15:9 in other translations

BSBThey worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”
WEBAnd they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrine rules made by men.’”
ASVBut in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men.
YLTand in vain do they worship Me, teaching teachings--commands of men.'
DARBYbut in vain do they worship me, teaching as teachings commandments of men.
BBEBut their worship is to no purpose, while they give as their teaching the rules of men.
WebsterBut in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

What does Matthew 15:9 mean?

Barnes' Notes
Verse 9. In vain they do worship me. That is, their attempts to worship are vain, or are not real worship--they are mere forms.

Teaching for doctrines, etc. The word doctrines, here, means the requirements of religion--things to be believed and practised in religion. God only has a right to declare what shall be done in his service; but they held their traditions to be superior to the written word of God, and taught them as doctrines binding the conscience.

Mt 15:1

(g) "for doctrines" Col 2:22

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 9 In vain they do worship me, etc. - 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, etc., 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 15:1-9

Additions to God's laws reflect upon his wisdom, as if he had left out something which was needed, and which man could supply; in one way or other they always lead men to disobey God. How thankful ought we to be for the written word of God! Never let us think that the religion of the Bible can be improved by any human addition, either in doctrine or practice. Our blessed Lord spoke of their traditions as inventions…

Read the full comment on Matthew 15:1-9 →

Matthew 15:9 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

μάτηνmatēnin vainG3155
δὲdethenG1161
σέβονταίsebontaithey worshipG4576
μεmeMeG3165
διδάσκοντεςdidaskontesteaching [as]G1321
διδασκαλίας,didaskaliasdoctrinesG1319
ἐντάλματαentalmata[the] preceptsG1778
ἀνθρώπων.¶anthrōpōnof men.’G444

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Matthew 15:9

  • 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 2:18-22

    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, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; …

  • 1 Timothy 4:6-7

    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. But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

  • Hebrews 13:9

    Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

  • James 2:20

    But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

  • Isaiah 58:1-3

    Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.

  • Deuteronomy 12:32

    What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

  • Exodus 20:7

    Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

  • Revelation 22:18

    For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
in.
Ex 20:7; Le 26:16,20; 1Sa 25:21; Ps 39:6; 73:13; Ec 5:2-7
Isa 1:13-15; 58:1-3; Mal 3:14; Mr 7:7; 1Co 15:2; Jas 2:20
teaching.
De 12:32; Pr 30:5,6; Isa 29:13; Col 2:18-22; 1Ti 1:4; 4:1-3,6,7
Tit 1:14; Heb 13:9; Re 22:18

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Matthew 15:8

    This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

  • Matthew 15:9

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

  • Matthew 15:10

    And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:

Read all of Matthew 15

Matthew 15:9 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Mas en vano me honran, enseñando doctrinas y mandamientos de hombres.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		mais ils m’honorent en vain, enseignant comme doctrines des commandements d’hommes ».
German
Elberfelder 1871		Vergeblich aber verehren sie mich, lehrend als Lehren Menschengebote.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Sine causa autem colunt me, docentes doctrinas et mandata hominum.