Matthew 15:9
in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse highlights that "worship" is more than just outward actions; it's about the heart's allegiance. When human traditions become the "doctrines" people teach and follow, they effectively replace God's actual commands, rendering all outward religious acts empty in God's eyes.
Scribes and Pharisees, who have come from Jerusalem, confront Jesus and his disciples, accusing them of violating ancient traditions. Jesus turns the tables, challenging their man-made rules that actually contradict God's commands, particularly highlighting how they use "Corban" vows to shirk their duty to their parents. He then quotes Isaiah, condemning their outward show of devotion that lacks a genuine heart connection and is built on human rules rather than divine ones.
The Pharisees were incredibly focused on ritual purity, especially washing hands before meals. Jesus, however, saw through their meticulous practices to the real issue.
Jesus highlights a critical distinction in Matthew 15:9: 'in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' The scribes and Pharisees were so caught up in human traditions, like ritual handwashing, that they missed the core of true worship.
The Problem with Human Traditions
God desires genuine devotion that flows from a transformed inner life, not just a performance of external rituals.
When human traditions clash with God's clear commands, which takes priority? Jesus makes it crystal clear.
Matthew 15:9 warns that when worship is built on 'the commandments of men,' it becomes 'in vain.' This is because these human-made rules often served to override or nullify God's actual law.
The 'Corban' Example
Jesus illustrates this in the surrounding verses (Matthew 15:3-6) with the concept of 'Corban,' a vow dedicating assets to God. The scribes and Pharisees twisted this tradition to allow people to avoid their God-given responsibility to care for their parents. By declaring something 'Corban,' they could circumvent the commandment to 'Honor your father and mother.'
The Danger of Addition
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
This confrontation highlights a core tension in Jesus' ministry: the clash between genuine, heart-felt obedience to God's word and the outward, ritualistic observances demanded by human traditions.
c. 450 BC
Mishnah Compilations Begin
The Oral Law, a collection of interpretations and traditions passed down from Moses, begins to be codified into written form, forming the Mishnah. This marks the formalization of 'traditions of the elders'.
c. 2nd Century BC - 1st Century AD
Rise of Pharisaic Influence
The Pharisee sect gains significant influence, emphasizing strict adherence to both the written Law and the Oral Law. They become key interpreters and enforcers of these traditions.
c. 20-30 AD
Jesus' Early Ministry
Jesus begins his public ministry, teaching and healing, often drawing large crowds but also attracting the attention and criticism of religious authorities.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Pharisees and Scribes Confront Jesus
Delegations of scribes and Pharisees, likely sent from Jerusalem's religious centers, confront Jesus and his disciples regarding their perceived disregard for the oral traditions, particularly concerning ritual hand washing.
This passage is directly quoted by Jesus in Matthew 15, highlighting the long-standing issue of people honoring God with their lips while their hearts are far away, a core element of the verse.
Colossians 2:20-23Paul condemns 'will-worship' and the 'commandments and teachings of men' as things that have an appearance of wisdom but lack true spiritual value, echoing Jesus' warning against empty worship.
Mark 7:6-7This parallel passage in Mark directly quotes Isaiah 29:13 and explicitly states that Jesus' contemporaries were teaching human traditions 'as doctrines' and worshipping in vain, reinforcing the message of Matthew 15:9.
1 Samuel 15:22-23Samuel rebukes Saul, stating that obedience is better than sacrifice, a foundational principle that underpins Jesus' critique of the Pharisees' external rituals that replaced heartfelt obedience to God's commands.
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…
This verse highlights that "worship" is more than just outward actions; it's about the heart's allegiance. When human traditions become the "doctrines" people teach and follow, they effectively replace God's actual commands, rendering all outward religious acts empty in God's eyes.
Scribes and Pharisees, who have come from Jerusalem, confront Jesus and his disciples, accusing them of violating ancient traditions. Jesus turns the tables, challenging their man-made rules that actually contradict God's commands, particularly highlighting how they use "Corban" vows to shirk their duty to their parents. He then quotes Isaiah, condemning their outward show of devotion that lacks a genuine heart connection and is built on human rules rather than divine ones.
Scribes and Pharisees, who have come from Jerusalem, confront Jesus and his disciples, accusing them of violating ancient traditions. Jesus turns the tables, challenging their man-made rules that actually contradict God's commands, particularly highlighting how they use "Corban" vows to shirk their duty to their parents. He then quotes Isaiah, condemning their outward show of devotion that lacks a genuine heart connection and is built on human rules rather than divine ones.
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True worship honors God by obeying His commands, not by inventing new ones that conflict with His established will.
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.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Cites Isaiah
In response to the accusations, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees and scribes, quoting Isaiah 29:13 to expose their hypocrisy and accuse them of substituting human traditions for God's commandments.
"in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”" — This verse highlights that "worship" is more than just outward actions; it's about the heart's allegiance. When human traditions become the "doctrines" people teach and follow, they effectively repla…
