Jesus doesn't just quote Isaiah; he uses "Well did Isaiah prophesy" with a sharp, ironic edge. It means "perfectly" or "beautifully," but here it's a cutting indictment, highlighting how accurately the ancient prophet's words describe these very modern hypocrites. He’s saying their actions aren't just wrong, they’re a living, breathing fulfillment of a divine warning.
And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just been challenged by Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem about his disciples not following their traditional hand-washing rituals before eating. He turns the tables, accusing them of violating God's commandments through their own traditions, and here quotes Isaiah to expose their hypocrisy. This quote reveals the core of Jesus' critique: their outward show of devotion masks an inward detachment from God.
Jesus calls Isaiah's prophecy 'excellent.' But it's not a compliment. It's a sharp, cutting accusation pointing to a deep disconnect.
When Jesus says, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites," he's using a biting irony. The Greek word 'kalos' (καλῶς) here, meaning 'well' or 'finely,' isn't praise. It's the opposite – a sarcastic jab. It's like saying, 'Perfectly described!' when someone is acting completely out of character.
Jesus is highlighting how perfectly the ancient prophecy fits these religious leaders. They weren't just misunderstanding God's law; they were actively performing a role, pretending to be devoted while their inner selves were miles away from God. This prophecy, spoken centuries earlier, was a perfect mirror reflecting their current hypocrisy.
What does it truly mean to 'honor' God? This verse reveals a dangerous gap between what we say and what we feel.
The core of Jesus' accusation lies in the contrast: 'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.'
The Outer Show:
The Inner Reality:
Ask a follow-up
This isn't just about hypocrisy; it's about the very nature of true worship. God is not impressed by empty rituals or eloquent words spoken without inner surrender. He looks for the heart. As the commentary notes, the original prophecy highlights that their 'fear toward me was taught by the precept of men,' indicating their devotion was learned and external, not genuinely felt.
Understand the original words
hypokritēs · Greek Noun
Someone who plays a part or wears a mask, referring to one whose outward religious profession does not match their inward spiritual reality. In the Bible, it describes religious pretense.
timaō · Greek Verb
To show deep respect, reverence, or high esteem. When applied to God, it refers to the outward expression of esteem through worship and acknowledgment of His status.
kardia · Greek Noun
The core of the human personality, including the intellect, emotions, will, and conscience. It is the seat of moral choices and the center of a person's spiritual relationship with God.
matēn · Greek Adverb
Empty, useless, or without purpose. In a religious context, it refers to acts of worship that lack genuine spiritual substance or acceptance by God because they are disconnected from a sincere life.
sebomai · Greek Verb
The act of showing reverence, adoration, or service toward God. True biblical worship is not merely ritualistic but involves the total yielding of oneself to God in accordance with His revealed truth.
didaskalia · Greek Noun
A body of teachings or instructions. Biblically, these should be rooted in the revelation of God; when they stem from human authority, they often contradict divine intent.
Jesus quotes Isaiah's ancient prophecy against a people whose outward religious observance is merely a show, with hearts far from God. This highlights a recurring tension in Israel's history: the struggle between genuine, heart-felt devotion and a rigid, external adherence to tradition that can obscure true worship.
c. 740 BC
Isaiah's Ministry
The prophet Isaiah delivers his oracles during a tumultuous period in Israel, including the Syro-Ephraimitic War and the Assyrian invasions.
c. 597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
The Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar II conquer Jerusalem, exiling many of the Judean elite, including the prophet Ezekiel. This event marks a significant turning point in Jewish history.
c. 586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, leading to a larger exile of the Jewish people. This catastrophe profoundly shapes Jewish identity and religious practice.
c. 445 BC
Ezra and Nehemiah's Reforms
Ezra and Nehemiah lead efforts to restore Jewish religious and social life in Jerusalem after the return from exile, emphasizing adherence to the Law.
c. 167-164 BC
Maccabean Revolt
A Jewish revolt against the Seleucid Empire's attempts to suppress their religion. This period sees intense conflict over religious practice and adherence to tradition.
c. 1st century BC - 1st century AD
Development of Oral Traditions
Over centuries, the Pharisees and scribes develop and codify extensive oral laws and traditions, often interpreting or elaborating upon the written Torah.
c. AD 28-30— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Conflict with Religious Leaders
Jesus engages in public ministry, teaching, and healing. His interactions with the scribes and Pharisees often highlight his critique of their legalistic interpretations and outward displays of piety that mask inner corruption.
This is the direct source passage that Jesus quotes, highlighting the ancient roots of this disconnect between outward observance and inward devotion.
Matthew 15:8-9Matthew's parallel account emphasizes that this outward show without heart-felt devotion is how people 'worship Me in vain, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.'
Jeremiah 12:2This passage expresses a similar lament about people who seem close to God in their words but have a hidden distance in their hearts, showing this is a recurring issue throughout biblical history.
Luke 11:42Jesus condemns the Pharisees for tithing mint, dill, and cumin while neglecting justice and the love of God, illustrating the same pattern of prioritizing outward ritual over inner reality.
1 Samuel 16:7This verse contrasts God's perspective with human perception, reminding us that 'the LORD sees not as man sees: for man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart,' which is precisely what Jesus is calling out.
pooleMark 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."
See Poole on "Mark 7:6"
bengelMark 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."
Mark 7:6 . Ὑποκριτῶν , hypocrites ) Indeed, we may derive from this passage a definition of hypocrisy . These Pharisees were a sample of hypocrites in general.
Jesus doesn't just quote Isaiah; he uses "Well did Isaiah prophesy" with a sharp, ironic edge. It means "perfectly" or "beautifully," but here it's a cutting indictment, highlighting how accurately the ancient prophet's words describe these very modern hypocrites. He’s saying their actions aren't just wrong, they’re a living, breathing fulfillment of a divine warning.
Jesus has just been challenged by Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem about his disciples not following their traditional hand-washing rituals before eating. He turns the tables, accusing them of violating God's commandments through their own traditions, and here quotes Isaiah to expose their hypocrisy. This quote reveals the core of Jesus' critique: their outward show of devotion masks an inward detachment from God.
Jesus has just been challenged by Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem about his disciples not following their traditional hand-washing rituals before eating. He turns the tables, accusing them of violating God's commandments through their own traditions, and here quotes Isaiah to expose their hypocrisy. This quote reveals the core of Jesus' critique: their outward show of devotion masks an inward detachment from God.
"And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,
“‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the command…" — Jesus doesn't just quote Isaiah; he uses "Well did Isaiah prophesy" with a sharp, ironic edge. It means "perfectly" or "beautifully," but here it's a cutting indictment, highlighting how accurately t…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026