the Fourth Week of Lent
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New Living Translation
Matthew 15:9
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
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- EveryParallel Translations
They worship me in vain,
But in vaine they do worship me, teaching for doctrines, the commandements of men.
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'"
-'AND IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN.'"
Their worship of me is worthless. The things they teach are nothing but human rules.'" Isaiah 29:13
-'BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, FOR THEY TEACH AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.'"
But in vaine they worship me, teaching for doctrines, mens precepts.
'BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.'"
But in vain do they worship Me,Teaching as doctrines the commands of men.'"
They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.'"
It is useless for you to worship me, when you teach rules made up by humans."
Their worship of me is useless, because they teach man-made rules as if they were doctrines.'"
but in vain do they worship me, teaching [as] teachings commandments of men.
Their worship of me is worthless. The things they teach are only human rules.'"
And they worship me in vain, when they teach the doctrines of the commandments of men.
It is no use for them to worship me, because they teach human rules as though they were my laws!'"
and they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'"
But in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men." Isa. 29:13
But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men.
But their worship is to no purpose, while they give as their teaching the rules of men.
But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as doctrine rules made by men.'"
Their worship of me is empty,Isaiah 29:13; Colossians 2:18-22; Titus 1:14;">[xr] because they teach human rules as doctrines.'"Isaiah 29:13">[fn]
9 But in vain they reverence me, while they teach the doctrines of the commandments of men [fn]
And in vain they pay me homage, while they teach doctrines that are the precepts of men.
But in vayne do they worshippe me, teachyng doctrine, preceptes of men.
But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men.
But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as doctrine rules made by men.'"
But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
but it is in vain they worship Me, while they lay down precepts which are mere human rules.'"
and thei worschipen me `with outen cause, techynge the doctrines and maundementis of men.
But in vain they worship me, Teaching [as their] doctrines the precepts of men.
But in vain they do worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.
and they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men .'"
And in vain they worship Me,Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' " Isaiah 29:13 ">[fn]
Their worship of Me is worth nothing. They teach what men have made up.'"
in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.'"
But, in vain, do they pay devotions unto me, teaching, for teachings, the commandments of men.
And in vain do they worship me, teaching doctrines and commandments of men.
in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.'"
but in vayne they worshippe me teachinge doctrines whiche are nothing but mens precepts.
and in vain do they worship Me, teaching teachings -- commands of men.'
But in vayne do they serue me, whyle they teach soch doctrynes as are nothinge but the commaundementes of men.
but in vain they worship me, teaching for doctrines the institutions of men."
Don't even bother with your words when all you do is teach rules that you make up.'"
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
in: Exodus 20:7, Leviticus 26:16, Leviticus 26:20, 1 Samuel 25:21, Psalms 39:6, Psalms 73:13, Ecclesiastes 5:2-7, Isaiah 1:13-15, Isaiah 58:1-3, Malachi 3:14, Mark 7:7, 1 Corinthians 15:2, James 2:20
teaching: Deuteronomy 12:32, Proverbs 30:5, Proverbs 30:6, Isaiah 29:13, Colossians 2:18-22, 1 Timothy 1:4, 1 Timothy 4:1-3, 1 Timothy 4:6, 1 Timothy 4:7, Titus 1:14, Hebrews 13:9, Revelation 22:18
Reciprocal: Exodus 27:8 - as it was showed Judges 17:13 - General 1 Kings 12:32 - like unto 2 Kings 16:10 - the pattern Isaiah 45:19 - Seek Isaiah 48:1 - not in truth Isaiah 55:2 - do ye Ezekiel 20:3 - As I Amos 4:5 - for John 4:24 - must Acts 17:23 - ignorantly 1 Corinthians 15:14 - General James 1:26 - this
Cross-References
Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son.
"If the animal you present as a burnt offering is from the herd, it must be a male with no defects. Bring it to the entrance of the Tabernacle so you may be accepted by the Lord .
"If the animal you present as a burnt offering is from the flock, it may be either a sheep or a goat, but it must be a male with no defects.
"If you present a bird as a burnt offering to the Lord , choose either a turtledove or a young pigeon.
"If you present an animal from the herd as a peace offering to the Lord , it may be a male or a female, but it must have no defects.
"If you present an animal from the flock as a peace offering to the Lord , it may be a male or a female, but it must have no defects.
He said to Aaron, "Take a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering, both without defects, and present them to the Lord .
Also take a bull and a ram for a peace offering and flour moistened with olive oil for a grain offering. Present all these offerings to the Lord because the Lord will appear to you today.'"
"If a woman cannot afford to bring a lamb, she must bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons. One will be for the burnt offering and the other for the purification offering. The priest will sacrifice them to purify her, and she will be ceremonially clean."
The offering must also include two turtledoves or two young pigeons, whichever the person can afford. One of the pair must be used for the sin offering and the other for a burnt offering.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
But in vain do they worship me,.... In the Hebrew text it is, "their fear towards me": which is rightly expressed here by "worship"; for the fear of God often intends the whole worship of God, both external and internal: here it only signifies external worship, which these men only attended to. They prayed in the synagogues, read, and, in their way, expounded the books of Moses, and the prophets, to the people, diligently observed the rituals of the ceremonial law, brought their offerings and sacrifices to the temple, and neglected nothing appertaining to the outward service of it; and yet it was all "in vain", and to no purpose; since the heart was wanting, no grace there, they acted from wrong principles, and with wrong views; their worship was merely outward, formal, and customary; and besides, they added doctrines and traditions of their own inventing and devising. The phrase, "in vain", is not in the text in Isaiah: some have thought that it was not originally in Matthew, but inserted by some other hand, to make the sense more complete. Grotius thinks there was a various reading, which is followed by the Septuagint, and the evangelist; and that instead of
ותהי, "and is", it was ותהו, the same with לתהו, "in vain": but there is no need to suppose either of these: Christ, who made this citation, either added it himself for the clearer illustration of the passage, and as being entirely agreeable to the sense of it, and which it required, for the true understanding of it; or he might have in his view another passage of the same prophet, speaking of the same people, and upon the same subject, Isaiah 1:11 and from thence take the phrase, and, for explanation sake, join it to the passage here. It follows,
teaching for doctrines the commandments of men; that is, teaching the people to observe the traditions of the elders, the decrees and determinations of the doctors, as if they were doctrines delivered by God himself; or, instead of the doctrines contained in the Bible, which lay neglected by them, they obtruded on them the orders, and injunctions of men. In the text in Isaiah, are only these words, "taught by the precept of men": and which relate to their fear and worship of God; and which is here interpreted of their teachers teaching them it, and that explained of the commandments of men; as if, instead of מלמדה, "taught", it had been read, מלמדים, "teaching". The Jews have no reason to quarrel with this construction and sense, since their Targum paraphrases it thus; "and their fear before me is, כתפקידת גברין מלפין, according to the commandment of men that teach": and a noted commentator c of their's has this remark on the text, "their fear towards me is" not with a perfect heart, but "by the commandment האנשים המלמדים אותם, of the men that teach them".
c R. Sol. Jarchi in Isa. xxix. 13.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
See also Mark 7:1-9.
Then came to Jesus ... - Mark says that they saw the disciples of Jesus eating with unwashed hands.
Matthew 15:2
Transgress the tradition of the elders - The world “elders” literally means “old men.” Here it means the “ancients,” or their “ancestors.” The “tradition of the elders” meant something handed down from one to another by memory; some precept or custom not commanded in the written law, but which scribes and Pharisees held themselves bound to observe.
They supposed that when Moses was on Mount Sinai two sets of laws were delivered to him: one, they said, was recorded, and is that contained in the Old Testament; the other was handed down from father to son, and kept uncorrupted to their day. They believed that Moses, before he died, delivered this law to Joshua; he to the Judges; they to the prophets; so that it was kept pure until it was recorded in the Talmuds. In these books these pretended laws are now contained. They are exceedingly numerous and very trifling. They are, however, regarded by the Jews as more important than either Moses or the prophets.
One point in which the Pharisees differed from the Sadducees was in holding to these traditions. It seems, however, that in the particular traditions mentioned here, all the Jews were united; for Mark adds Mark 7:3 that “the Pharisees and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.” Mark has also added that this custom of washing extended not merely to their hands before eating, but in coming from the market; and also to cups, and pots, and brass vessels, and tables, Mark 7:3-4. They did this professedly for the sake of cleanliness. So far it was well. But they also made it a matter of superstition. They regarded external purity as of much more importance than the purity of the heart. They had many foolish rules about it respecting the quantity of water that was to be used, the way in which it should be applied, the number of times it should be changed, the number of those that might wash at a time, etc. Our Saviour did not think it proper to regard these rules, and this was the reason why they “found fault” with him.
Matthew 15:3
But he answered ... - They accused him of violating their traditions, as though they were obligatory.
In his answer he implied that his disciples were not bound to obey their traditions - they were invented by human beings. He said, also, that those traditions could not be binding, as they violated the commandments of God. He proceeded to specify a case in which their tradition made void one of the plain laws of God; and if that was their character, then they could not blame him for not regarding them.
Matthew 15:4
For God commanded ... - That is, in the fifth commandment Exodus 20:12, and in Exodus 21:17. To “honor” is to obey, to reverence, to speak kindly to, to speak and think well of. To “curse” is to disobey, to treat with irreverence, to swear at, to speak ill of, to think evil of in the heart, to meditate or do any evil to a parent. All this is included in the original word.
Let him die the death - This is a Hebrew phrase, the same as saying, “let him surely die.” The Jewish law punished this crime with death. This duty of honoring and obeying a parent was what Christ said they had violated by their traditions. He proceeds to state the way in which it was done.
Matthew 15:5
It is a gift - In Mark it is “corban.” The word “corban” is a Hebrew word denoting a gift.
Here it means a thing dedicated to the service of God, and therefore not to be appropriated to any other use. The Jews were in the habit of making such dedications. They devoted their property to God for sacred uses, as they pleased. In doing this they used the word קרבן qaarbaan or κορβᾶν korban, or some similar word, saying, this thing is “corban,” i. e., it is a gift to God, or is sacred to him. The law required that when a dedication of this kind was made it should be fulfilled. “Vow and pay unto the Lord your God,” Psalms 76:11. See Deuteronomy 23:21. The law of God required that a son should honor his parent; i. e., among other things, that he should provide for his needs when he was old and in distress. Yet the Jewish teachers said that it was more important for a man to dedicate his property to God than to provide for the needs of his parent.
If he had once devoted his property once said it was “corban,” or a gift to God - it could not be appropriated even to the support of a parent. If a parent was needy and poor, and if he should apply to a son for assistance, and the son should reply, though in anger, “It is devoted to God; this property which you need, and by which you might be profited by me, is “corban” - I have given it to God;” the Jews said the property could not be recalled, and the son was not under obligation to aid a parent with it. He had done a more important thing in giving it to God. The son was free. He could not be required to do anything for his father after that. Thus, he might, in a moment, free himself from the obligation to obey his father or mother. In a sense somewhat similar to this, the chiefs and priests of the Sandwich Islands had the power of devoting anything to the service of the gods by saying that it was “taboo,” or “tabooed;” that is, it became consecrated to the service of religion; and, no matter who had been the owner, it could then be appropriated for no other use. In this way they had complete power over all the possessions of the people, and could appropriate them for their own use under the pretence of devoting them to religion. Thus, they deprived the people of their property under the plea that it was consecrated to the gods. The Jewish son deprived his parents of a support under the plea that the property was devoted to the service of religion. The principle was the same, and both systems were equally a violation of the rights of others.
Besides, the law said that a man should die who cursed his father, i. e., that refused to obey him, or to provide for him, or spoke in anger to him. Yet the Jews said that, though in anger, and in real spite and hatred, a son said to his father, “All that I have which could profit you I have given to God,” he should be free from blame. Thus, the whole law was made void, or of no use, by what appeared to have the appearance of piety. “No man, according to their views, was bound to obey the fifth commandment and support an aged and needy parent, if, either from superstition or spite, he chose to give his property to God, that is, to devote it to some religious use.”
Our Saviour did not mean to condemn the practice of giving to God, or to religious and charitable objects. The law and the gospel equally required this. Jesus commended even a poor widow that gave all her living, Mark 12:44, but he condemned the practice of giving to God where it interfered with our duty to parents and relations; where it was done to get rid of the duty of aiding them; and where it was done out of a malignant and rebellious spirit, with the semblance of piety, to get clear of doing to earthly parents what God required.
Matthew 15:7
Ye hypocrites! - See the notes at Matthew 7:5. Hypocrisy is the concealment of some base principle under the pretence of religion. Never was there a clearer instance of it than this an attempt to get rid of the duty of providing for needy parents under an appearance of piety toward God.
Esaias - That is, Isaiah. This prophecy is found in Isaiah 29:13.
Prophesy of you - That is, he spoke of the people of his day of the Jews, as Jews - in terms that apply to the whole people. He properly characterized the nation in calling them hypocrites. The words are applicable to the nation at all times, and they apply, therefore, to you. He did not mean particularly to speak of the nation in the time of Christ, but he spoke of them as having a national character of hypocrisy. Compare the notes at Matthew 1:22-23.
Matthew 15:8
Draweth nigh unto me with their mouth ... - That is, they are regular in the forms of worship; they are strict in ceremonial observances, and keep the law outwardly; but God requires the heart, and that they have not rendered.
Matthew 15:9
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 God, and taught them as doctrines binding the conscience. See the notes at Isaiah 29:13.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Matthew 15:9. In vain they do worship me, c. — 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, &c., 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.
