Wherefore the Lord said
Concerning the hypocritical people of the Jews in Christ's time,
as the words are applied by our Lord himself, ( Matthew 15:7
) : Forasmuch as this people draw near to [me] with their
mouth, and
with their lips do honour me;
Kimchi observes, there is a double reading of the word
(vgn) , rendered "draw
near": in one reading of it, it signifies to be "afflicted"; and
then the sense is, "when this people are afflicted, with their
mouth, and with their lips, they honour me"; that is, when they
are in distress, they pray unto him, and profess a great regard
for him, speak honourably of him, and reverently to him, hoping
he will help and relieve them; see ( Isaiah 26:16
) but the other reading of the word, in which it has the
signification of "drawing near", is confirmed, not only by the
Masora on the text, but by the citation of it in ( Matthew 15:7
Matthew
15:8 ) and designs the approach of these people to God, in
acts of religion and devotion, in praying to him, and praising of
him, and expressing great love and affection for him, and zeal
for his cause and interest; but were all outwardly, with their
lips and mouths only: but have removed their heart far from
me;
these were not employed in his service, which is the main thing
he requires and regards, but were engaged elsewhere; while their
bodies were presented before him, and their mouths and lips were
moving to him, their affections were not set upon him, nor the
desires of their souls unto him, nor had they any real hearty
concern for his glory: and their fear towards me is taught
by the precept of men;
their worship of God was not according to the prescription of
God, and his revealed will; but according to the traditions of
the elders, which they preferred to the word of God, and, by
observing them, transgressed it, and made it of no effect; see (
Matthew
15:3 Matthew 15:6
Matthew
15:9 ) .