Matthew 15:13 (KJV)

What does Matthew 15:13 mean?

Matthew 15:13 means that anything not established or approved by God will ultimately be removed or destroyed. Jesus is saying that only what truly comes from God will last, while other things—no matter how they appear—will not endure.

In this verse, Jesus is responding to His disciples after the Pharisees were offended by His teaching. The "plant" refers to teachings, traditions, or people not rooted in God's will. Jesus uses this image to show that human traditions, like those of the Pharisees, which are not from God, will not stand in the end.

The Greek behind Matthew 15:13

• φυτεία (phuteia, "plant"): This word can refer to something planted, like a plant or a planting, but here it likely points to teachings, groups, or traditions. Jesus is not talking about literal plants but about things or people established in a religious sense.
• ἐκριζωθήσεται (ekrizōthēsetai, "shall be rooted up"): This word means to uproot completely, leaving nothing behind. The image is strong—anything not truly from God will be entirely removed, not just trimmed or corrected.

Why Matthew 15:13 matters

• Matthew 15:13 clarifies that not all religious traditions or teachings are from God, even if they seem established or respected.
• The verse warns against relying on human authority or tradition instead of what God has truly established.
• This statement connects to the larger conversation in Matthew 15, where Jesus challenges the Pharisees’ traditions, showing that God’s approval is what truly matters, not human customs.