Matthew 23:5

Matthew 23:5 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
• New International Version (NIV)“Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long;
• English Standard Version (ESV)They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,
• New King James Version (NKJV)But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.

Context of Matthew 23:5

3Therefore do whatever they tell you, and observe it. But don’t do what they do, because they don’t practice what they teach. 4They tie up heavy loads that are hard to carry and put them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves aren’t willing to lift a finger to move them. They do everything to be seen by others: They enlarge their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. 6They love the place of honor at banquets, the front seats in the synagogues, 7greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by people.

Matthew 23:5 word by word

πάντα δὲ τὰ ἔργα αὐτῶν ποιοῦσιν πρὸς τὸ θεαθῆναι τοῖς ἀνθρώποις· πλατύνουσιν γὰρ τὰ φυλακτήρια αὐτῶν καὶ μεγαλύνουσιν τὰ κράσπεδαRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Butδέde · thenG1161
• allπᾶςpas · allG3956
• theirαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• worksἔργονergon · workG2041
• they doποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
• forπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• to be seenθεάομαιtheaomai · to look atG2300
• of menἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444
• they make broadπλατύνωplatunō · to widenG4115
• phylacteriesφυλακτήριονphulaktērion · phylacteryG5440
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• enlargeμεγαλύνωmegalunō · to magnifyG3170
• the bordersκράσπεδονkraspedon · edgeG2899
• ofἱμάτιονhimation · clothingG2440

Cross-references for Matthew 23:5

• Matthew 6:1“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward with your Father in heaven.
• 2 Kings 10:16Then he said, “Come with me and see my zeal for the Lord!” So he let him ride with him in his chariot.
• Luke 16:15And he told them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly admired by people is revolting in God’s sight.
• Luke 20:47They devour widows’ houses and say long prayers just for show. These will receive harsher judgment.”
• Luke 21:1He looked up and saw the rich dropping their offerings into the temple treasury.
• John 5:44How can you believe, since you accept glory from one another but don’t seek the glory that comes from the only God?
• John 7:18The one who speaks on his own seeks his own glory; but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is true, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
• John 12:43For they loved human praise more than praise from God.
• Philippians 1:15To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of good will.
• Philippians 2:3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:4He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits in God’s temple, proclaiming that he himself is God.
• Deuteronomy 6:8Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead.
• Proverbs 3:3Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Tie them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.
• Proverbs 6:21Always bind them to your heart; tie them around your neck.
• Matthew 9:20Just then, a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years approached from behind and touched the end of his robe,
• Numbers 15:38“Speak to the Israelites and tell them that throughout their generations they are to make tassels for the corners of their garments, and put a blue cord on the tassel at each corner.

Commentaries on Matthew 23:5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5All their works they do for to be seen of men - In pointing out the corruptions of these men, our Lord gives us the distinguishing characteristics of all false teachers, whether Jewish or Christian. They live not according to the truths they preach. They say, and do not, Matthew 23:3. They are severe to others, point out the narrowest road to heaven, and walk in the broad road themselves. They bind on burdens, etc., Matthew 23:4. They affect to appear…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 5Their phylacteries - The word “phylactery” comes from a word signifying to keep, preserve, or guard. The name was given because phylacteries were worn as amulets or charms, and were supposed to defend or preserve those who wore them from evil. They were small slips of parchment or vellum, on which were written certain portions of the Old Testament. The practice of using phylacteries was founded on a literal interpretation of that passage where God…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 5phylacteries: Pious Jews sometimes wore small prayer boxes, called phylacteries. These were placed on the head and the upper left arm. Inside were written copies of important Old Testament commands (see Deuteronomy 6:6–9; 11:18–19). Another custom was wearing tassels, which were also a sign of devotion (see Matthew 9:20; see also Numbers 15:38–41). Some made their tassels extra long to draw attention to their religious devotion.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 55. But all their works they do for to be seen of men--Whatever good they do, or zeal they show, has but one motive--human applause. they make broad their phylacteries--strips of parchment with Scripture-texts on them, worn on the forehead, arm, and side, in time of prayer. and enlarge the borders of their garments--fringes of their upper garments (Nu 15:37-40).Read the comment

Topics related to Matthew 23:5

• Ambition
• Church
• Fringes
• Hypocrisy
• Pharisees
• Phylactery
• Satire
• Teachers

In the dictionaries

• Abase
• Apparel
• Bewray
• Devour
• Exalt
• Fill
• Gnat
• Hem
• Ought
• Partaker

Commentaries on Matthew 23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings