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

3All therefore whatever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye according to their works: for they say, and do not. 4For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen by men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6And love the uppermost places at feasts, and the best seats in the synagogues, 7And greetings in the markets, and to be called by men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

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

• Butδέde · thenG1161
• allπᾶςpas · allG3956
• theirαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• worksἔργονergon · workG2041
• doποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
• doπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• seenθεάομαιtheaomai · to look atG2300
• menἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444
• broadπλατύνωplatunō · to widenG4115
• phylacteriesφυλακτήριονphulaktērion · phylacteryG5440
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• enlargeμεγαλύνωmegalunō · to magnifyG3170
• bordersκράσπεδονkraspedon · edgeG2899
• garmentsἱμάτιονhimation · clothingG2440

Cross-references for Matthew 23:5

• Matthew 6:1Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen by them: otherwise ye have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
• 2 Kings 10:16And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for the LORD. So they made him ride in his chariot.
• Luke 16:15And he said to them, Ye are they who justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
• Luke 20:47Who devour widows’ houses, and for a show make long prayers: the same shall receive greater condemnation.
• Luke 21:1And he looked up, and saw rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
• John 5:44How can ye believe, who receive honour one from another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
• John 7:18He that speaketh from himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
• John 12:43For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
• Philippians 1:15Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife; and some also from good will:
• Philippians 2:3Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
• Deuteronomy 6:8And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thy hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thy eyes.
• Proverbs 3:3Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thy heart:
• Proverbs 6:21Bind them continually upon thy heart, and tie them about thy neck.
• Matthew 9:20And, behold, a woman, who was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
• Numbers 15:38Speak to the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes on the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a cord of blue:

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