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On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels. <a href="/esv/matthew/23.htm">English Standard Version</a> They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, <a href="/bsb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. <a href="/blb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And they do all their deeds in order to be seen by men. For they broaden their phylacteries and enlarge their tassels, <a href="/kjv/matthew/23.htm">King James Bible</a> But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, <a href="/nkjv/matthew/23.htm">New King James Version</a> But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And they do all their deeds to be noticed by other people; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. <a href="/nasb/matthew/23.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries, and lengthen the tassels of their garments. <a href="/lsb/matthew/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. <a href="/amp/matthew/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a> They do all their deeds to be seen by men; for they make their phylacteries (tefillin) wide [to make them more conspicuous] and make their tassels long. <a href="/csb/matthew/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> They do everything to be seen by others: They enlarge their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> They do everything to be observed by others: They enlarge their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. <a href="/asv/matthew/23.htm">American Standard Version</a> But all their works they do to be seen of men: for they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, <a href="/cev/matthew/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Everything they do is just to show off in front of others. They even make a big show of wearing Scripture verses on their foreheads and arms, and they wear big tassels for everyone to see. <a href="/erv/matthew/23.htm">English Revised Version</a> But all their works they do for to be seen of men: for they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, <a href="/gwt/matthew/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "They do everything to attract people's attention. They make their headbands large and the tassels on their shawls long. <a href="/gnt/matthew/23.htm">Good News Translation</a> They do everything so that people will see them. Look at the straps with scripture verses on them which they wear on their foreheads and arms, and notice how large they are! Notice also how long are the tassels on their cloaks! <a href="/isv/matthew/23.htm">International Standard Version</a> "They do everything to be seen by people. They increase the size of their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. <a href="/msb/matthew/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. <a href="/net/matthew/23.htm">NET Bible</a> They do all their deeds to be seen by people, for they make their phylacteries wide and their tassels long. <a href="/nheb/matthew/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But all their works they do to be seen by others. They make their tefillin broad and enlarge the fringe of their garments, <a href="/wbt/matthew/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But all their works they do to be seen by men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, <a href="/wey/matthew/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And everything they do they do with a view to being observed by men; for they widen their phylacteries and make the tassels large, <a href="/web/matthew/23.htm">World English Bible</a> But they do all their works to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the fringes of their garments, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And all their works they do to be seen by men, and they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the fringes of their garments, <a href="/blb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And they do all their deeds in order to be seen by men. For they broaden their phylacteries and enlarge their tassels, <a href="/ylt/matthew/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'And all their works they do to be seen by men, and they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the fringes of their garments, <a href="/slt/matthew/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And all their works do they, to be seen by men: and make broad their preservatives, and enlarge the border of their garments.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And all their works they do for to be seen of men. For they make their phylacteries broad, and enlarge their fringes. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Truly, they do all their works so that they may be seen by men. For they enlarge their phylacteries and glorify their hems. <a href="/nabre/matthew/23.htm">New American Bible</a> All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And all their works they do, just to be seen by men; for they widen the fringes of their garments, and they lengthen the ends of their robes, <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/23.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And they do all their works to be seen by the children of men, for they enlarge their phylacteries and they extend the blue fringes of their robes.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/23.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And they do all their works for the purpose of being seen by men. They make their amulets broad, and enlarge the fringes of their mantles. <a href="/godbey/matthew/23.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>And they do all their works to be seen by the people: for they broaden their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/23.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And all their works they do to be seen of men: they make their phylacteries broad, and deepen the fringes of their garments, <a href="/mace/matthew/23.htm">Mace New Testament</a> their phylacterys are broader, and the fringes of their garments are larger than those of others: <a href="/wey/matthew/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And everything they do they do with a view to being observed by men; for they widen their phylacteries and make the tassels large, <a href="/worrell/matthew/23.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>But all their works they do with the view to be seen by men; for they make broad their phylacteries and enlarge their fringes;<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/23.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>but they do all their works to be seen by men; they make their phylacteries broad, and enlarge the fringes of their garments,<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/23-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=6724" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/23.htm">Woes to Scribes and Pharisees</a> …4They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. 5<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: Panta (Adj-ANP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">All</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">their</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-ANP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2041.htm" title="2041: erga (N-ANP) -- From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.">deeds</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: poiousin (V-PIA-3P) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">are done</a> <a href="/greek/4314.htm" title="4314: pros (Prep) -- To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.">for</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tois (Art-DMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpois (N-DMP) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">men</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2300.htm" title="2300: theathēnai (V-ANP) -- A prolonged form of a primary verb; to look closely at, i.e. perceive; by extension to visit.">to see.</a> <a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason."></a> <a href="/greek/4115.htm" title="4115: platynousin (V-PIA-3P) -- To enlarge, make broad; met: of the growth of tenderness and love. From platus; to widen.">They broaden</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">their</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-ANP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5440.htm" title="5440: phylaktēria (N-ANP) -- Neuter of a derivative of phulasso; a guard-case, i.e. phylactery for wearing slips of Scripture texts.">phylacteries</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3170.htm" title="3170: megalynousin (V-PIA-3P) -- (a) I enlarge, lengthen, (b) I increase, magnify, extol. From megas; to make great, i.e. Increase or extol.">lengthen</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-ANP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">their</a> <a href="/greek/2899.htm" title="2899: kraspeda (N-ANP) -- The fringe, edge, corner, tassel. Of uncertain derivation; a margin, i.e., a fringe or tassel.">tassels.</a> 6They love the places of honor at banquets, the chief seats in the synagogues,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/6-1.htm">Matthew 6:1-5</a> “Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. / So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. / But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ... <a href="/luke/20-46.htm">Luke 20:46-47</a> “Beware of the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, and they love the greetings in the marketplaces, the chief seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets. / They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.” <a href="/mark/12-38.htm">Mark 12:38-40</a> In His teaching Jesus also said, “Watch out for the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, to receive greetings in the marketplaces, / and to have the chief seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. / They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.” <a href="/luke/11-43.htm">Luke 11:43-44</a> Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the chief seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces. / Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without even noticing.” <a href="/matthew/6-16.htm">Matthew 6:16-18</a> When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. / But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, / so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. <a href="/john/5-44.htm">John 5:44</a> How can you believe if you accept glory from one another, yet do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? <a href="/2_corinthians/11-13.htm">2 Corinthians 11:13-15</a> For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions. <a href="/galatians/6-12.htm">Galatians 6:12-13</a> Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ. / For the circumcised do not even keep the law themselves, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. <a href="/philippians/1-15.htm">Philippians 1:15-17</a> It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. / The latter do so in love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. / The former, however, preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can add to the distress of my chains. <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-5.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:5-6</a> As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness! / Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else, although as apostles of Christ we had authority to demand it. <a href="/1_peter/5-5.htm">1 Peter 5:5-6</a> Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” / Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you. <a href="/isaiah/1-12.htm">Isaiah 1:12-15</a> When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts? / Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. / I hate your New Moons and your appointed feasts. They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. ... <a href="/isaiah/58-2.htm">Isaiah 58:2-5</a> For day after day they seek Me and delight to know My ways, like a nation that does what is right and does not forsake the justice of their God. They ask Me for righteous judgments; they delight in the nearness of God.” / “Why have we fasted, and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?” “Behold, on the day of your fast, you do as you please, and you oppress all your workers. / You fast with contention and strife to strike viciously with your fist. You cannot fast as you do today and have your voice be heard on high. ... <a href="/ezekiel/33-31.htm">Ezekiel 33:31-32</a> So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain. / Indeed, you are to them like a singer of love songs with a beautiful voice, who skillfully plays an instrument. They hear your words but do not put them into practice. <a href="/micah/3-5.htm">Micah 3:5-7</a> This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths: / Therefore night will come over you without visions, and darkness without divination. The sun will set on these prophets, and the daylight will turn black over them. / Then the seers will be ashamed and the diviners will be disgraced. They will all cover their mouths because there is no answer from God.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,all.<a href="/matthew/6-1.htm">Matthew 6:1-16</a> Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven… <a href="/2_kings/10-16.htm">2 Kings 10:16</a> And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for the LORD. So they made him ride in his chariot.<a href="/luke/16-15.htm">Luke 16:15</a> And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.they make.<a href="/deuteronomy/6-8.htm">Deuteronomy 6:8</a> And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.<a href="/proverbs/3-3.htm">Proverbs 3:3</a> Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:<a href="/proverbs/6-21.htm">Proverbs 6:21-23</a> Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck… the borders.<a href="/matthew/9-20.htm">Matthew 9:20</a> And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:<a href="/numbers/15-38.htm">Numbers 15:38,39</a> Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue: … <a href="/deuteronomy/22-12.htm">Deuteronomy 22:12</a> Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/19-1.htm">Borders</a> <a href="/matthew/12-19.htm">Broad</a> <a href="/psalms/18-36.htm">Broaden</a> <a href="/matthew/23-3.htm">Deeds</a> <a href="/ezekiel/40-43.htm">Edges</a> <a href="/micah/1-16.htm">Enlarge</a> <a href="/job/26-14.htm">Fringes</a> <a href="/matthew/21-8.htm">Garments</a> <a href="/matthew/21-8.htm">Large</a> <a href="/matthew/22-11.htm">Noticed</a> <a href="/matthew/19-20.htm">Observed</a> <a href="/exodus/13-16.htm">Phylacteries</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-12.htm">Tassels</a> <a href="/matthew/22-11.htm">View</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/6-13.htm">Widen</a> <a href="/matthew/23-3.htm">Works</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/5-17.htm">Borders</a> <a href="/luke/10-10.htm">Broad</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-37.htm">Broaden</a> <a href="/mark/7-22.htm">Deeds</a> <a href="/revelation/2-12.htm">Edges</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/9-10.htm">Enlarge</a> <a href="/numbers/15-38.htm">Fringes</a> <a href="/matthew/24-18.htm">Garments</a> <a href="/matthew/26-9.htm">Large</a> <a href="/mark/7-2.htm">Noticed</a> <a href="/mark/5-15.htm">Observed</a> <a href="/exodus/13-16.htm">Phylacteries</a> <a href="/numbers/15-38.htm">Tassels</a> <a href="/mark/2-12.htm">View</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/6-13.htm">Widen</a> <a href="/mark/6-2.htm">Works</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 23</div>1. <a href="/matthew/23-1.htm">Jesus admonishes the people to follow good doctrine, not bad examples</a> 5. <a href="/matthew/23-5.htm">His disciples must beware of their ambition.</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">He denounces eight woes against their hypocrisy and blindness,</a> 34. <a href="/matthew/23-34.htm">and prophesies of the destruction of Jerusalem.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>All their deeds are done for men to see. This phrase highlights the hypocrisy of the religious leaders, who perform their actions to gain human approval rather than to honor God. This behavior is condemned throughout Scripture, as seen in <a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">Isaiah 29:13</a>, where God criticizes those who honor Him with their lips while their hearts are far from Him. Jesus frequently rebukes such hypocrisy, emphasizing the importance of sincerity in worship and service (<a href="/matthew/6.htm">Matthew 6:1-6</a>). The cultural context of first-century Judaism placed a high value on public displays of piety, which could lead to a focus on external appearances rather than genuine faith.They broaden their phylacteries Phylacteries, or tefillin, are small leather boxes containing Scripture passages, traditionally worn by Jewish men during prayer. The practice is based on <a href="/deuteronomy/6-8.htm">Deuteronomy 6:8 and 11</a>:18, which command the binding of God's words as a sign on the hand and forehead. By broadening their phylacteries, the religious leaders sought to display their piety more conspicuously, turning a symbol of devotion into a means of self-promotion. This act reflects a misunderstanding of the law's intent, which is to internalize God's commandments rather than merely display them outwardly.and lengthen their tassels. Tassels, or tzitzit, are fringes worn on the corners of garments, as instructed in <a href="/numbers/15-38.htm">Numbers 15:38-39</a> and <a href="/deuteronomy/22-12.htm">Deuteronomy 22:12</a>, serving as a reminder of God's commandments. Lengthening the tassels was another way the religious leaders sought to appear more devout than others. This practice underscores the danger of valuing external religious symbols over the heart's true devotion. Jesus Himself wore tassels (<a href="/matthew/9-20.htm">Matthew 9:20</a>), but His life exemplified the fulfillment of the law through love and humility, contrasting with the superficial religiosity of the leaders.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, addressing the crowds and His disciples about the behavior of the scribes and Pharisees. 2. <a href="/topical/s/scribes_and_pharisees.htm">Scribes and Pharisees</a> Jewish religious leaders criticized by Jesus for their hypocrisy and outward displays of piety. 3. <a href="/topical/p/phylacteries.htm">Phylacteries</a> Small boxes containing Scripture passages, worn by Jewish men during prayer as a sign of devotion. 4. <a href="/topical/t/tassels.htm">Tassels</a> Fringes on garments, commanded in the Law of Moses, meant to remind the Israelites of God's commandments. 5. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The setting of Jesus' teaching, a central place of religious activity and authority in Jewish life.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_hypocrisy.htm">The Danger of Hypocrisy</a> Jesus warns against performing religious acts for the sake of appearance. True devotion is measured by the heart's intent, not by external displays. <a href="/topical/a/authentic_worship.htm">Authentic Worship</a> Worship should be directed towards God, not as a means to gain approval or admiration from others. Our focus should be on pleasing God rather than people. <a href="/topical/s/simplicity_in_devotion.htm">Simplicity in Devotion</a> The emphasis on broadening phylacteries and lengthening tassels serves as a reminder to keep our faith practices simple and sincere, avoiding unnecessary embellishments that draw attention to ourselves. <a href="/topical/s/self-examination.htm">Self-Examination</a> Regularly assess your motives in religious practices. Are they done to honor God or to be seen by others? This self-examination helps maintain a pure heart. <a href="/topical/l/living_out_god's_commandments.htm">Living Out God's Commandments</a> While physical reminders like phylacteries and tassels have their place, the true measure of faith is living out God's commandments in daily life.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 23</a> <a href="/q/were_broad_phylacteries_common.htm">(Matthew 23:5) Were “broad phylacteries and long tassels” actually commonplace, or is this an exaggeration? </a> <a href="/q/what_are_phylacteries_used_for.htm">What are phylacteries used for?</a> <a href="/q/how_is_'call_no_man_father'_reconciled.htm">(Matthew 23:9) How is “call no man father” reconciled with traditions that use fatherly titles for clergy? </a> <a href="/q/why_does_jesus_say_not_to_call_anyone_'father'.htm">Why does Jesus tell people not to call anyone "father" (Matthew 23:9), yet the Bible refers to Abraham as "our father" (Romans 4:16)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) To be seen of men.--As with a clear insight into the root-evil of Pharisaism, and of all kindred forms of the religious life, our Lord fixes, as before in <a href="/context/matthew/6-1.htm" title="Take heed that you do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise you have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.">Matthew 6:1-18</a>, on the love of man's applause as that which vitiated the highest ethical teaching and the most rigorous outward holiness. The fact, which we learn from <a href="/context/john/12-42.htm" title="Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:">John 12:42-43</a>, that many "among the chief rulers" were in their hearts convinced of His claims, and yet were afraid to confess Him, gives a special emphasis to the rebuke. They may have been among those who listened to it with the consciousness that He spake of them.Phylacteries.--The Greek word (phylacterion) from which the English is derived signifies "safe-guard or preservative," and was probably applied under the idea that the phylacteries were charms or amulets against the evil eye or the power of evil spirits. This was the common meaning of the word in later Greek, and it is hardly likely to have risen among the Hellenistic Jews to the higher sense which has sometimes been ascribed to it, of being a means to keep men in mind of the obligations of the Law. Singularly enough, it is not used by the LXX. translators for the "frontlets" of <a href="/exodus/13-16.htm" title="And it shall be for a token on your hand, and for frontlets between your eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt.">Exodus 13:16</a>, <a href="/deuteronomy/6-8.htm" title="And you shall bind them for a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.">Deuteronomy 6:8</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/11-18.htm" title="Therefore shall you lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign on your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.">Deuteronomy 11:18</a> and the only place in the Old Testament where it is found is for the "cushions" of <a href="/ezekiel/13-18.htm" title="And say, Thus said the Lord GOD; Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs on the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will you hunt the souls of my people, and will you save the souls alive that come to you?">Ezekiel 13:18</a>. The Hebrew word in common use from our Lord's time onward has been tephillin, or Prayers. The things so named were worn by well-nigh all Jews as soon as they became Children of the Law, i.e., at thirteen. They consisted of a small box containing the four passages in which frontlets are mentioned (<a href="/context/exodus/13-2.htm" title="Sanctify to me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.">Exodus 13:2-16</a>; <a href="/context/deuteronomy/6-4.htm" title="Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:">Deuteronomy 6:4-9</a>; <a href="/context/deuteronomy/11-13.htm" title="And it shall come to pass, if you shall listen diligently to my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,">Deuteronomy 11:13-22</a>), written on four slips of vellum for the phylactery of the head, and on one for that of the arm. This is fastened by a loop to thin leather straps, which are twisted in the one case round the arm, with the box on the heart, in the other, round the head, with the box on the brow. They were worn commonly during the act of prayer (hence the Hebrew name), and by those who made a show of perpetual devotion and study of the Law, during the whole day. The Pharisees, in their ostentatious show of piety, made either the box or the straps wider than the common size, and wore them as they walked to and fro in the streets, or prayed standing (<a href="/matthew/6-5.htm" title="And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Truly I say to you, They have their reward.">Matthew 6:5</a>), that men might see and admire them. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 5. - For to be seen of men. The second bad principle in their religion was ostentation and vanity. Acts done professedly in the honour of God were animated by self-seeking and ambition. They never penetrated beyond externalism. See this spirit reproved in the sermon on the mount (<a href="/matthew/6-1.htm">Matthew 6:1, 2</a>, etc.). "They loved the glory of men more than the glory of God" (<a href="/john/12-43.htm">John 12:43</a>). Christ then gives proofs of this spirit of ostentation in religion and in private life. Phylacteries; φυλακτήρια: literally, preservatives; equivalent to "amulets;" the translation of the Hebrew word tephillin, "prayer fillets." These were either strips of parchment or small cubes covered with leather, on or in which were written four sections of the Law, viz. <a href="/exodus/13-1.htm">Exodus 13:1-10, 11-16</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4-9</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/11-13.htm">Deuteronomy 11:13-21</a>. They were worn fastened either to the forehead, or inside the left arm, so as to be near the heart. Their use arose from a literal and superstitious interpretation of <a href="/exodus/13-9.htm">Exodus 13:9</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/6-8.htm">Deuteronomy 6:8</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/11-18.htm">Deuteronomy 11:18</a>. Their dimensions were defined by rabbinical rules, but the extra pious formalists of the day set these at naught, and increased the breadth of the strips or of the bands by which they were fastened, in order to draw attention to their religiousness and their strict attention to the least observances of the Law. These phylacteries are still in use among the Jews. Thus in a 'Class Book for Jewish Youth' we read, "Every boy, three months before he attains the age of thirteen, commences to make use of the tephillin, which must be worn at least during the time of the morning prayers. The ordinance of the tephillin is one of the signs of the covenant existing between the Almighty and ourselves, that we may continually bear in mind the miracles God wrought for our forefathers." Enlarge the borders of their garments; τὰ κράσπεδα τῶν ἱματίων αὐτῶν, the fringes of their outer garments. The best manuscripts have merely their fringes. So the Vulgate, magnificant fimbrias. These fringes or tassels (zizith, zizijoth) were fastened to the corners of the garments, in accordance with <a href="/numbers/15-38.htm">Numbers 15:38-41</a>, and were composed of white and blue threads. They were intended to remind the wearers of the commandments of the Lord, and were regarded as peculiarly sacred (see <a href="/matthew/9-20.htm">Matthew 9:20</a>). Christ condemns the ostentatious enlargement of these fringes as a badge of extraordinary piety and obedience. We quote again from the Jewish 'Class. Book:' "Every male of the Jewish nation must wear a garment [not usually an undergarment] made with four corners, having fringes fixed at each corner. These fringes are called tsetsis, or, memorial fringes. In the synagogue, during the morning prayers, a scarf with fringes attached to it is worn, which is called tollece, 'scarf or veil.' These memorial fringes typically point out the six hundred and thirteen precepts contained in the volume of the sacred Law. They are also intended to remind us of the goodness of the Almighty in having delivered our forefathers from the slavery in Egypt." <a href="/commentaries/matthew/23-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>All Πάντα (Panta) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. their αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. deeds ἔργα (erga) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2041.htm">Strong's 2041: </a> From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act. are done ποιοῦσιν (poiousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. for πρὸς (pros) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4314.htm">Strong's 4314: </a> To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. men ἀνθρώποις (anthrōpois) Noun - Dative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. to see. θεαθῆναι (theathēnai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive <a href="/greek/strongs_2300.htm">Strong's 2300: </a> A prolonged form of a primary verb; to look closely at, i.e. perceive; by extension to visit. They broaden πλατύνουσιν (platynousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4115.htm">Strong's 4115: </a> To enlarge, make broad; met: of the growth of tenderness and love. From platus; to widen. their αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. phylacteries φυλακτήρια (phylaktēria) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5440.htm">Strong's 5440: </a> Neuter of a derivative of phulasso; a guard-case, i.e. 'phylactery' for wearing slips of Scripture texts. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. lengthen μεγαλύνουσιν (megalynousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3170.htm">Strong's 3170: </a> (a) I enlarge, lengthen, (b) I increase, magnify, extol. From megas; to make great, i.e. Increase or extol. their τὰ (ta) Article - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. tassels. κράσπεδα (kraspeda) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2899.htm">Strong's 2899: </a> The fringe, edge, corner, tassel. Of uncertain derivation; a margin, i.e., a fringe or tassel. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/23-5.htm">Matthew 23:5 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/23-5.htm">Matthew 23:5 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/23-5.htm">Matthew 23:5 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/23-5.htm">Matthew 23:5 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/23-5.htm">Matthew 23:5 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/23-5.htm">Matthew 23:5 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/23-5.htm">Matthew 23:5 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/23-5.htm">Matthew 23:5 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/23-5.htm">Matthew 23:5 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/23-5.htm">Matthew 23:5 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/23-5.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/23-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 23:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 23:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/23-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 23:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 23:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>