Mark - 7:7



7 But in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Mark 7:7.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men.
But in vain do they worship me, teaching as their teachings commandments of men.
and in vain do they worship Me, teaching teachings, commands of men;
However, in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
But idle is their devotion while they lay down precepts which are mere human rules.'
But their worship is to no purpose, while they give as their teaching the rules of men.
But in vain do they worship me, teaching instructions that are the commandments of men.'
but vainly do they worship me, For they teach but human precepts.'

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

For doctrines - For commands of God binding on the conscience. Imposing "your" traditions as equal in authority to the laws of God.

(3) Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.
(3) The more earnest the superstitious are, the more mad they are in promising themselves God's favour because of their deeds.

Howbeit, in vain do they worship me,.... This is the continuation of the citation out of Isaiah, as is also what follows:
teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. As all these traditions mentioned were such; as washing their hands before they ate bread, and their whole bodies, when they came from the market, or from any court of judicature, or concourse of men, where they had been touched by the common people, and the washing of cups, pots, brazen vessels, and tables, or beds; these they taught the people, and enjoined them the observance of them: instead of instructing them in the doctrines of the Bible, respecting the Messiah, and salvation by him, the right fear, and true worship of God, his ordinances and statutes; wherefore their worship of him, though attended with a great show of sanctity and religion, was a vain thing, a mere empty thing, devoid of life, power, and spirituality, unacceptable to God, and of no real use, profit, and advantage to themselves: it neither issued in the glory of God, nor brought any true pleasure, or solid peace to themselves; and they would find, by sad experience, that their hope of being in the favour of God, and of enjoying eternal happiness on account of it, would prove a vain hope; See Gill on Matthew 15:9.

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