Matthew 15:9
New International Version
They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’”

New Living Translation
Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’”

English Standard Version
in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

Berean Standard Bible
They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ ”

Berean Literal Bible
And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.'"

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

New King James Version
And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
‘AND IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN.’”

NASB 1995
‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’”

NASB 1977
‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE COMMANDS OF MEN.’”

Amplified Bible
‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, FOR THEY TEACH AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’”

Christian Standard Bible
They worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines human commands. ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They worship Me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commands of men.”

American Standard Version
But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men.

Contemporary English Version
It is useless for you to worship me, when you teach rules made up by humans."

English Revised Version
But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Their worship of me is pointless, because their teachings are rules made by humans.'"

Good News Translation
It is no use for them to worship me, because they teach human rules as though they were my laws!'"

International Standard Version
Their worship of me is empty, because they teach human rules as doctrines.'"

Majority Standard Bible
They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”

NET Bible
and they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'"

New Heart English Bible
And in vain do they worship me, teaching instructions that are the commandments of humans.'"

Webster's Bible Translation
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Weymouth New Testament
but it is in vain they worship Me, while they lay down precepts which are mere human rules.'"

World English Bible
And they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrine rules made by men.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and in vain they worship Me, teaching teachings—commands of men.”

Berean Literal Bible
And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.'"

Young's Literal Translation
and in vain do they worship Me, teaching teachings -- commands of men.'

Smith's Literal Translation
But they worship me in vain, teaching doctrines the commands of men.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And in vain do they worship me, teaching doctrines and commandments of men.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For in vain do they worship me, teaching the doctrines and commandments of men.’ ”

New American Bible
in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.’ ”

New Revised Standard Version
in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.’”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they worship me in vain, when they teach the doctrines of the commandments of men.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
'And they revere me in vain while they teach the doctrines of the commandments of man.' “
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But in vain, do they worship me, teaching precepts, the commandments of men.

Godbey New Testament
But in vain they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.

Haweis New Testament
But in vain do they worship me, teaching doctrines the commandments of men.

Mace New Testament
but in vain they worship me, teaching for doctrines the institutions of men."

Weymouth New Testament
but it is in vain they worship Me, while they lay down precepts which are mere human rules.'"

Worrell New Testament
But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'"

Worsley New Testament
but in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the injunctions of men.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Tradition and Worship
8‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. 9 They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’” 10Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, “Listen and understand.…

Cross References
Isaiah 29:13
Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.

Mark 7:7
They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’

Colossians 2:22
These will all perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.

Titus 1:14
and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who have rejected the truth.

Ezekiel 33:31
So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.

2 Timothy 3:5
having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!

Isaiah 1:12-15
When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts? / Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. / I hate your New Moons and your appointed feasts. They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. ...

Amos 5:21-23
“I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. / Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard. / Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.

Micah 6:6-8
With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? / Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? / He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

Romans 10:2-3
For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge. / Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.

1 Samuel 15:22
But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.

Hosea 6:6
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Jeremiah 7:4-10
Do not trust in deceptive words, saying: ‘This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD.’ / For if you really correct your ways and deeds, if you act justly toward one another, / if you no longer oppress the foreigner and the fatherless and the widow, and if you no longer shed innocent blood in this place or follow other gods to your own harm, ...

Matthew 23:23
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

John 4:23-24
But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. / God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”


Treasury of Scripture

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

in.

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.

Leviticus 26:16,20
I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it…

1 Samuel 25:21
Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good.

teaching.

Deuteronomy 12:32
What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

Proverbs 30:5,6
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him…

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:

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Commandments Commands Doctrine Doctrines Human Lay Mere Precepts Purpose Rules Taught Teaching Teachings Vain Worship
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Commandments Commands Doctrine Doctrines Human Lay Mere Precepts Purpose Rules Taught Teaching Teachings Vain Worship
Matthew 15
1. Jesus reproves the Scribes and Pharisees
7. for transgressing God's commandments through their own traditions;
10. teaches how that which goes into the mouth does not defile a man.
21. He heals the daughter of the woman of Canaan,
29. and other great multitudes;
32. and with seven loaves and a few small fish feeds four thousand men














They worship Me in vain
The phrase "They worship Me in vain" is a powerful indictment of empty religious practices. The Greek word for "vain" is "μάτην" (matēn), which implies futility or emptiness. This suggests that the worship being offered is devoid of true substance or sincerity. Historically, this reflects the religious practices of the Pharisees and scribes, who were criticized by Jesus for their focus on external rituals rather than genuine devotion. In a broader scriptural context, this echoes the prophetic rebukes found in Isaiah, where God desires heartfelt obedience over mere ritualistic observance. The conservative Christian perspective emphasizes the importance of worship that is rooted in spirit and truth, aligning with the teachings of Jesus in John 4:24.

they teach as doctrine
The phrase "they teach as doctrine" highlights the elevation of human traditions to the level of divine commandments. The Greek word "διδάσκουσιν" (didaskousin) means "they teach," indicating an authoritative instruction. This reflects a historical tendency within religious communities to prioritize human interpretations and traditions over the clear teachings of Scripture. From a conservative viewpoint, this serves as a caution against allowing cultural or denominational traditions to overshadow the foundational truths of the Bible. It calls believers to discernment, ensuring that their teachings and beliefs are firmly grounded in the Word of God.

the precepts of men
The term "the precepts of men" refers to human rules and traditions that have been elevated to the status of divine law. The Greek word "ἐντάλματα" (entalmata) means "precepts" or "commands," and in this context, it underscores the contrast between God's eternal commandments and human traditions. Historically, this critique was directed at the religious leaders of Jesus' time, who often imposed burdensome regulations that were not rooted in Scripture. For conservative Christians, this serves as a reminder to prioritize God's commandments over human traditions, ensuring that their faith and practice are aligned with biblical truth rather than cultural or institutional norms. This phrase challenges believers to continually evaluate their beliefs and practices in light of Scripture, seeking to honor God with genuine and obedient hearts.

(9) Teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.--Neither word is quite adequately rendered. The "doctrines" are not articles of faith, propositions to be believed, but precepts which were taught as binding. The "commandments" are single, special rules as contrasted with the divine "commandment," which was exceedingly broad.

Verse 9. - But in vain, etc. The Hebrew gives, "And their fear of me is a commandment of men which hath been taught them," or "learned by rote" (Revised Version). Septuagint, "In vain do they worship me, teaching men's commandments and doctrines." Their worship is vitiated at its very root. Commandments of men. This is Christ's designation of rabbinical traditions (comp. Colossians 2:22).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
They worship
σέβονταί (sebontai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4576: To reverence, worship, adore. Middle voice of an apparently primary verb; to revere, i.e. Adore.

Me
με (me)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

in vain;
Μάτην (Matēn)
Adverb
Strong's 3155: Accusative case of a derivative of the base of massaomai; folly, i.e. to no purpose.

they teach [as]
Διδάσκοντες (Didaskontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1321: To teach, direct, admonish. A prolonged form of a primary verb dao; to teach.

doctrine
διδασκαλίας (didaskalias)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1319: Instruction, teaching. From didaskalos; instruction.

[the] precepts
ἐντάλματα (entalmata)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1778: An injunction, ordinance, precept. From entellomai; an injunction, i.e. Religious precept.

of men.’”
ἀνθρώπων (anthrōpōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.


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