Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 15:9

"But in vain do they worship me, Teaching [as their] doctrines the precepts of men." — Matthew 15:9 (ASV)

Religion based on human authority is worthless. We must worship the true God in the way He Himself has appointed, or we do not worship Him at all. Doctrines and ordinances are only to be accepted when the divine Word supports them, and they are to be accepted for that reason only. The most punctilious form of devotion is vain worship if it is regulated by human ordinance apart from the Lord’s own command.