in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse points out that their "worship" is actually vain not just because it's empty, but because they are actively substituting human rules for divine ones. It's not merely about adding to God's commands, but about teaching these human additions as if they were God's actual doctrines.
in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is confronting religious leaders, the scribes and Pharisees, who have traveled from Jerusalem to question his disciples. They're upset because Jesus' followers aren't following the traditional Jewish practices of ritual handwashing before eating. Jesus turns the tables on them, pointing out how their own traditions often contradict God's clear commands, leading him to declare their worship hollow and their teachings mere human rules.
Ever feel like you're going through the motions in your faith? Jesus addresses this head-on, revealing a dangerous trap that can make even sincere-looking worship utterly meaningless.
Jesus confronts the religious leaders of his day, not for not worshipping, but for worshipping in a way that God finds unacceptable. They were meticulously following human traditions—like ritual handwashing—while neglecting core divine commands, such as honoring their parents.
The Problem:
How can following rules actually lead to disobeying God? Jesus reveals a shocking truth about how human traditions can subtly, yet devastatingly, undermine divine authority.
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The scribes and Pharisees weren't just adding to God's law; they were actively making God's commands ineffective through their traditions. Jesus points to the commandment to honor parents.
The Mechanism of Undermining:
Understand the original words
sebomai · Greek Verb
To render service to God through reverence, prayer, or ritual. True worship is acceptable to God only when it proceeds from a sincere spirit and is directed by His truth, rather than mere outward formality.
maten · Greek Adverb
Empty, futile, or without true effect. Biblically, it describes efforts or religious observances that fail to reach their intended goal because they lack the necessary spiritual reality or God's approval.
didaskalia · Greek Noun
Instruction or teaching, specifically referring to religious tenets or bodies of belief that are considered authoritative for the community.
entole · Greek Noun
Divine directives or requirements established by God for His people to obey. When these are replaced by human innovation, the relationship between God and His people is corrupted.
This confrontation highlights a deep-seated tension in 1st-century Judaism between divinely revealed law and human traditions, a conflict exacerbated by the political and religious climate under Roman rule.
c. 450 BC - 150 BC
Development of Oral Law and Traditions
The period saw the increasing codification and emphasis on oral traditions and interpretations of the Law by scribes and Pharisees, which eventually came to be seen as equally or even more authoritative than the written Torah.
c. 63 BC
Roman Influence in Judea Begins
The Roman general Pompey intervenes in a dispute between Jewish rulers, leading to Roman dominance over Judea. This political context created social and religious tensions, with some groups seeking to maintain strict Jewish purity laws.
c. 20 BC - AD 20
Herodian Dynasty and Temple Construction
Under Herod the Great and his successors, Judea experienced significant building projects, including the expansion of the Second Temple. This era was marked by a complex interplay between Jewish religious life and Roman political oversight.
c. AD 28
Jesus begins his public ministry
Jesus starts teaching and performing miracles throughout Galilee and surrounding regions, attracting large crowds and challenging established religious norms.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus confronts religious leaders in Jerusalem
During a visit to Jerusalem, Jesus is directly confronted by scribes and Pharisees from the capital regarding his disciples' practices and his teachings. This event leads to Jesus’ strong rebuke of their traditions.
This passage is directly quoted by Jesus in the context of this verse, highlighting the hypocrisy of those whose worship is outward and based on human rules rather than a sincere heart.
Colossians 2:22Paul echoes Jesus' warning, describing human-made religious rules as 'the precepts and teachings of men,' which have an appearance of wisdom but lack true spiritual value.
Mark 7:8Mark's parallel account of this event emphasizes that the Pharisees 'have let go of the commandment of God and hold fast to the tradition of men,' showing the same core issue of human rules supplanting divine ones.
Galatians 1:14Paul's own zealous adherence to traditions of men before his conversion illustrates the danger of prioritizing human religious systems over God's clear commands, even with sincere intention.
1 Samuel 15:22This verse shows God valuing obedience over sacrifice, a principle that underpins Jesus' condemnation of worship that prioritizes human traditions over God's direct commandments.
calvinMatthew 15:1-9: "Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,"
- Then scribes and Pharisees, who had come from Jerusalem, approach to Jesus, saying, 2. Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3. But he answering said to them, Why do you also transgress the commandment of God on account of [390] your tradition? 4. For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother; and, He that curseth fath…
barnesMatthew 15:9: "But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."
In vain do they worship me - That is, their attempts to worship are "vain," or are not real worship - they are mere "forms." Teaching for doctrines ... - The word "doctrines," here, means the requirements of religion - things to be believed and practiced 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…
The verse points out that their "worship" is actually vain not just because it's empty, but because they are actively substituting human rules for divine ones. It's not merely about adding to God's commands, but about teaching these human additions as if they were God's actual doctrines.
Jesus is confronting religious leaders, the scribes and Pharisees, who have traveled from Jerusalem to question his disciples. They're upset because Jesus' followers aren't following the traditional Jewish practices of ritual handwashing before eating. Jesus turns the tables on them, pointing out how their own traditions often contradict God's clear commands, leading him to declare their worship hollow and their teachings mere human rules.
Jesus is confronting religious leaders, the scribes and Pharisees, who have traveled from Jerusalem to question his disciples. They're upset because Jesus' followers aren't following the traditional Jewish practices of ritual handwashing before eating. Jesus turns the tables on them, pointing out how their own traditions often contradict God's clear commands, leading him to declare their worship hollow and their teachings mere human rules.
"in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”" — The verse points out that their "worship" is actually vain not just because it's empty, but because they are actively substituting human rules for divine ones. It's not merely about adding to God…
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Last reviewed October 2026