Definition: He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with [their] lips, but their heart is far from me.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse together. It’s a really important one in the Bible and speaks about hypocrisy – pretending to be religious while actually being completely self-serving. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: Jesus is saying that these people are acting like they worship him, but they aren’t truly worshipping him. They’re just putting on a show of respect and adoration. He’s pointing out their deception. Let's unpack it further: "He answered and said unto them..." – This means Jesus is directly addressing the group of people he’s talking about. "...Well hath Esaias prophesied of you..." – This refers to a prophet named Esaias, who wrote a long prophecy (a detailed prediction) about this group. He was saying something specific about them. "...as it is written, This people honoureth me with [their] lips, but their heart is far from me." - This is the core of the verse. It means: “This group – these people – are praising and showing respect to us, but they aren’t truly loving or worshipping us.” What does this mean in practical terms? Hypocrisy: It’s called hypocrisy when someone pretends to be religious while not actually believing in what they say. “Honouring me” : They're putting on a show of respect, like saying prayers or offering gifts. "Their heart is far from me": This means that their hearts are not filled with love and devotion to Jesus. They’re focused on themselves – on their own approval and comfort, rather than on God. Why is this important? Jesus was highlighting a problem with these people - they weren't truly connected to him or his teachings. It shows that true worship comes from a deep, genuine love for God, not just outward displays of respect. --- Do you want me to: Explain the context of this verse in more detail? Talk about why this verse is significant in the Bible? Give you some examples of how hypocrisy can show up?