Matthew 15:7 Meaning and Explanation
“Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus names them hypocrites and applies Isaiah's prophecy directly to their conduct.
What Does Matthew 15:7 Mean?
Jesus speaks the word plainly: hypocrites. Then He reaches back to Isaiah, declaring that the prophet spoke well concerning them. By naming Isaiah (Esaias), He places their behavior within a long pattern of outward religion masking inward distance from God. The prophecy He is about to quote was no idle warning; it fit them exactly.
A hypocrite, in the original sense, is an actor wearing a mask, presenting a face that is not the true self. Jesus is not insulting them in anger but diagnosing a real and dangerous condition: religion performed for show while the heart stays elsewhere. The verse calls each of us to ask whether our worship is genuine, lest the same ancient words describe us.
Matthew 15:7 in the Original Language
hupokrites (ὑποκριτής), 'hypocrite' -- originally a stage actor, one who plays a part; here, one whose outward religion masks an inward reality.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 15:7
What does Matthew 15:7 mean?
Jesus names them hypocrites and applies Isaiah's prophecy directly to their conduct.