Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Matthew 15:8–12

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
¶ And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:
Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
Share
Email linkOpen a new message in your email app
Read chapterReport issue
More

PASSAGE SELECTION

Build from either side

5 selected · 5 available

Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

25 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 8

  1. Isaiah 29:13Rank 1 from verse 8
    Open

    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:

  2. Ezekiel 33:31Rank 2 from verse 8
    Open

    31And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.

  3. Acts 8:21Rank 3 from verse 8
    Open

    21Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

  4. 1 Peter 3:10Rank 4 from verse 8
    Open

    10For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

  5. Jeremiah 12:2Rank 5 from verse 8
    Open

    2Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins.

From verse 9

  1. Isaiah 29:13Rank 1 from verse 9
    Open

    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:

  2. Mark 7:7Rank 2 from verse 9
    Open

    7Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

  3. 1 Timothy 1:4Rank 3 from verse 9
    Open

    4Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

  4. Titus 1:14Rank 4 from verse 9
    Open

    14Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

  5. Colossians 2:18–22Rank 5 from verse 9
    Open

    18Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

    19And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

    20Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

    21(Touch not; taste not; handle not;

    22Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

From verse 10

  1. Mark 7:14–15Rank 1 from verse 10
    Open

    14¶ And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:

    15There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

  2. Luke 20:45–47Rank 2 from verse 10
    Open

    45¶ Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,

    46Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;

    47Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

  3. Colossians 1:9Rank 3 from verse 10
    Open

    9For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

  4. Luke 24:45Rank 4 from verse 10
    Open

    45Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

  5. 1 Kings 22:28Rank 5 from verse 10
    Open

    28And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the Lord hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you.

From verse 11

  1. Mark 7:15Rank 1 from verse 11
    Open

    15There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

  2. Matthew 15:18–20Rank 2 from verse 11
    Open

    18But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

    19For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

    20These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

  3. James 3:5–8Rank 3 from verse 11
    Open

    5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

    6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

    7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

    8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

  4. 1 Timothy 4:4–5Rank 4 from verse 11
    Open

    4For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

    5For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

  5. Matthew 12:34–37Rank 5 from verse 11
    Open

    34O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

    35A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

    36But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

    37For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

From verse 12

  1. 1 Corinthians 10:32–33Rank 1 from verse 12
    Open

    32Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

    33Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

  2. 1 Kings 22:13–14Rank 2 from verse 12
    Open

    13And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good.

    14And Micaiah said, As the Lord liveth, what the Lord saith unto me, that will I speak.

  3. 2 Corinthians 6:3Rank 3 from verse 12
    Open

    3Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

  4. Galatians 2:5Rank 4 from verse 12
    Open

    5To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

  5. James 3:17Rank 5 from verse 12
    Open

    17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 15:8

COMBINED MEANING

people

↗

Persons collectively; a nation, community, or group considered as a body.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

nigh

↗

Near or close in place, time, relationship, kinship, condition, access, or degree; approaching, drawing close, at hand, or almost.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

mouth

↗

Sense 1: The bodily opening used for eating, breathing, and speaking. Sense 2: The opening or entrance of a thing. Sense 3: Speech, utterance, or the agency of speaking.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

lips

↗

Sense 1: The physical borders of the mouth. Sense 2: By extension, speech or utterance.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

heart

↗

Sense 1: The bodily organ. Sense 2: The inward person: the mind, will, affections, conscience, or moral character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 15:9

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

vain

↗

Empty, fruitless, ineffective, unprofitable, worthless, false, unsubstantial, or conceited.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

commandments

↗

Commands, orders, or prescribed requirements issued by one who commands.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 15:10

COMBINED MEANING

called

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of call. Sense 1: To name. Sense 2: To summon or invite. Sense 3: To proclaim or address. Sense 4: To request.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

multitude

↗

1. A great number or large gathered body of persons, creatures, or forces; a crowd, company, or host. 2. A great number, amount, fullness, or abundance of years, words, deeds, mercies, sins, possessions, waters, or other stated things.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

hear

↗

Sense 1: To perceive sound or spoken words. Sense 2: To receive or learn by report. Sense 3: To listen to, regard, or heed. Sense 4: To attend favourably to a request.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 15:11

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

mouth

↗

Sense 1: The bodily opening used for eating, breathing, and speaking. Sense 2: The opening or entrance of a thing. Sense 3: Speech, utterance, or the agency of speaking.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

out

↗

Outside, away from within, forth, absent, or no longer in a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 15:12

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

offended

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of offend. Sense 1: To transgress, sin, or act wrongly against. Sense 2: To displease or scandalize; to cause oneself or another to stumble or fall into sin.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

after

↗

1. Later than or following in time or order. 2. Behind. 3. In pursuit of.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

heard

↗

Sense 1: Perceived by the ear. Sense 2: Received or learned by report. Sense 3: Listened to, regarded, or heeded. Sense 4: Favourably attended to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

READ THE PASSAGE

View in context

Suggested context · Matthew 15:1–20

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

15:1THEN came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,

15:2Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.

15:3But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

15:4For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

15:5But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;

15:6And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

15:7Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

15:8This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

Selected passage

15:9But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Selected passage

15:10¶ And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:

Selected passage

15:11Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

Selected passage

15:12Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?

Selected passage

15:13But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

15:14Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

15:15Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.

15:16And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?

15:17Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

15:18But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

15:19For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

15:20These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

LOCAL PASTOR DIRECTORY

Ask a Pastor Near You

Enter a U.S. ZIP code to find nearby pastors committed to holding fast the faithful word.

Your ZIP is processed in this browser from local data. It is not sent to a ZIP lookup service or to a church. ZIP coordinates from GeoNames, licensed under CC BY 4.0.