New Testament
Matthew 15:9
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, Jesus criticizes the religious leaders for their empty worship.
- Author
- Matthew the apostle
- Written
- Around AD 60-70
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- Jewish Christians
Their worship is worthless because they teach human rules as if they were God's commands.'"
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus criticizes the religious leaders for their empty worship. He points out that they prioritize human traditions over God's true commandments. Their teachings, which are based on human rules, do not align with God's intentions, rendering their worship ineffective. This highlights the importance of genuine faith and obedience to God's word rather than merely following man-made rules. Jesus emphasizes that true worship must come from the heart and be rooted in a sincere relationship with God, rather than being a mere performance of rituals or adherence to traditions that lack divine authority. The verse serves as a reminder that worship should be authentic and aligned with God's teachings, rather than being influenced by human opinions or customs.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Matthew 15:9 to your life
To apply this teaching, we should examine our own practices of worship and faith. Are we following traditions that may not align with God's word? It's essential to prioritize a genuine relationship with God and ensure our worship reflects His true commands rather than human-made rules.
Curated for this public verse page. Matthew Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Matthew 15:9 mean?
Matthew 15:9 means that Jesus is criticizing the religious leaders for their worship being meaningless because they prioritize human traditions over God's true commandments.
What is the meaning of 'empty worship' in Matthew 15:9?
'Empty worship' in Matthew 15:9 refers to worship that lacks sincerity and genuine connection with God, as it is based on human rules rather than true obedience to God's teachings.
How does Matthew 15:9 apply to modern worship?
Matthew 15:9 applies to modern worship by reminding us to evaluate our practices and ensure they align with God's commands rather than merely following traditions or human opinions.
What does Jesus teach about traditions in Matthew 15:9?
In Matthew 15:9, Jesus teaches that traditions should not overshadow God's commandments; instead, worship should be rooted in genuine faith and obedience to God's word.
The Book of Matthew
Matthew 1: The Generation and Birth of Jesus Christ
The book begins with the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. It records the generations from Abraham to David, from David until the carrying away into Babylon, and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ, each being fourteen generations. The genealogy concludes with Jacob begetting Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
Unlock the full Matthew summary
Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.
The complete summary of Matthew — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 28 chapters.
What you get
Every chapter of Matthew summarized in clear, modern English
How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points
Permanent access — read anytime, on any device
Best value • Save over 90%
One-time purchase • Access anytime
ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.
Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.