ἐγγίζει μοι λαὸς οὗτος τῷ στόματι αὐτῶν καὶ τοῖς χείλεσίν με τιμᾷ, ἡ δὲ καρδία αὐτῶν πόρρω ἀπέχει ἀπ’ ἐμοῦ
Matthew 15:8 presents Jesus’ quotation of Isaiah 29:13 in the Septuagint. The Greek is sharp, poetic, and cutting. It reveals the tension between outward appearance and inner reality, and the structure intensifies the contrast. This verse is not a gentle observation—it’s a prophetic rebuke, wrapped in precise parallelism and dissonance between mouth and heart.
Grammatical Foundations
The opening clause ἐγγίζει μοι λαὸς οὗτος means “This people draws near to me.” The verb ἐγγίζει is present active indicative, 3rd person singular, from ἐγγίζω—to approach or come near. The dative μοι (to me) is the object of proximity. The subject is λαὸς οὗτος—“this people,” a prophetic phrase loaded with judgment.
The prepositional phrase τῷ στόματι αὐτῶν (“with their mouth”) and the coordinated phrase τοῖς χείλεσίν (“with their lips”) specify the mode of their drawing near. It’s not sincere worship—it’s lip service. The verb τιμᾷ (“honors”) is present active indicative, 3rd person singular, with με (me) as direct object. So: “they honor me with their lips.” The irony is intentional.
Then comes the strong adversative clause: ἡ δὲ καρδία αὐτῶν πόρρω ἀπέχει ἀπ’ ἐμοῦ—“but their heart is far from me.” ἡ δὲ καρδία marks the contrast. ἀπέχει is present active indicative from ἀπέχω, meaning “it is distant,” “it holds itself away.” The adverb πόρρω intensifies the distance: “far away.” The genitive ἀπ’ ἐμοῦ (from me) shows that the distance is not spatial, but relational and spiritual.
Exegetical and Theological Implications
The verse dissects hypocrisy with surgical grammar. The people appear devout—they approach, they honor. But their approach is superficial. The heart, the core of will and devotion, is not involved. In a culture where honor and shame were public, Jesus exposes the failure of inward integrity despite outward piety.
This text also confronts religious ritualism. It is not enough to speak or sing truth. True worship begins in the heart. The repetition of bodily parts (mouth, lips, heart) underscores that real devotion is not partial—it involves the whole person. The grammar leaves no room for ambiguity: one may honor with the lips and still be distant from God.
Linguistic and Historical Perspectives
This verse follows the LXX structure closely. In both Hebrew and Greek rhetoric, parallelism and contrast are tools for emphasis. The symmetrical phrasing (with mouth… with lips / but heart is far) creates a poetic structure that turns polemic.
The verb ἀπέχω carries a tone of deliberate separation. It’s not merely accidental distance—it implies the heart has withdrawn. The usage of πόρρω with ἀπό strengthens this sense of alienation. Linguistically, it speaks not of failed attempts but of unwilling hearts.
Table: Verbal and Structural Features in Matthew 15:8
| Text | Greek Verb / Phrase | Form | Function / Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew 15:8 | ἐγγίζει | Present active indicative, 3rd person singular | “Draws near”; ironic use—external approach without sincerity |
| Matthew 15:8 | τιμᾷ | Present active indicative, 3rd person singular | “Honors”; superficial reverence with lips, not heart |
| Matthew 15:8 | ἀπέχει | Present active indicative, 3rd person singular | “Is far away”; the heart is alienated and distant from God |
The Verse as a Paradigm of Koine Greek Richness
Matthew 15:8 is a study in poetic indictment. The Greek balances beauty and judgment—parallel phrases reveal duplicity, and verbal contrasts expose the chasm between mouth and heart. The language doesn’t simply diagnose hypocrisy—it invites reflection. What does our speech conceal? What does it reveal? The Greek grammar here is not just formal structure—it’s prophetic precision.
