Matthew 15:7 - You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying,

Generated Verse: Matthew 15:7

What does "Matthew 15:7" mean?


This verse, "You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying," from Matthew 15:7 is part of Jesus' rebuke of the Pharisees and scribes. Let's break down what it means:

"You hypocrites!": This is a direct and harsh condemnation. A hypocrite is someone who pretends to be something they are not, especially in terms of religious piety or moral virtue. They outwardly appear righteous, but inwardly they are far from it.

"Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying,": Jesus is referencing the prophet Isaiah, indicating that Isaiah's words from centuries before accurately described the behavior of these religious leaders. He's not making a new accusation; he's highlighting that their behavior is a long-standing problem foreseen by the prophets. The following verse will quote the specific passage from Isaiah that Jesus is referencing.

In essence, Jesus is accusing the Pharisees and scribes of being insincere in their religious practices. They focus on outward rituals and traditions (like elaborate hand-washing ceremonies) but neglect the more important aspects of faith, such as genuine love for God and compassion for others. Jesus is saying that their actions perfectly fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah, which criticized those who honor God with their lips but whose hearts are far from Him.

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