Matthew 15:8

‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Jesus addresses the religious leaders who have gathered to question him, directly quoting Isaiah to confront their hypocrisy. He delivers this rebuke immediately before warning that their worship is vain because it substitutes human traditions for divine command.

The words — Ἐγγίζει (Engizei) means “draws near,” and στόματι (stomati) translates to “mouth.” These terms describe the physical act of approaching God with speech while the text notes the heart remains distant.

The thread — This phrasing directly parallels Isaiah 29:13, where God declares the people draw near with their mouths while their hearts stay far. It also aligns with Ezekiel 33:31, which notes people hear words without practicing them, and Acts 8:21, which condemns a heart not right before God.

Why it lands — The text demands alignment between outward confession and inward devotion, rejecting ritual that lacks genuine commitment. A reader must examine whether their professed faith matches their actual spiritual posture.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

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.
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.
Acts 8:21 You have no part or share in our ministry, because your heart is not right before God.
1 Peter 3:10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.
Jeremiah 12:2 You planted them, and they have taken root. They have grown and produced fruit. You are ever on their lips, but far from their hearts.
Proverbs 23:26 My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes delight in my ways.
Hebrews 3:12 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God.
John 1:47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, He said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceit.”