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

3So whatever they tell you, do and observe. But don’t do what they do; for what they say, they do not do. 4They tie up heavy loads, hard to carry, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves aren’t willing to lift a finger to move them. All their works they do to be noticed by men. They make their tefillin wide and their tzitziyot long. 6They love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called rabbi by men.

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“Beware of practicing your righteousness before others to be seen by them; otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
• 2 Kings 10:16Then he said, “Come with me and see my zeal for Adonai.” So he let him ride in his chariot.
• Luke 16:15But He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before the people, but God knows your hearts. For what is prized among men is detestable in God’s sight.”
• Luke 20:47They devour widows’ houses and make long prayers as a show. These men will receive greater condemnation!”
• Luke 21:1Then Yeshua looked up and saw the rich dropping their gifts into the treasury box.
• John 5:44How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that comes from God alone?
• John 7:18Whoever speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
• John 12:43for they loved the glory of men more than the glory of God.
• Philippians 1:15Some are proclaiming the Messiah out of envy and strife, but others out of good will.
• Philippians 2:3Do nothing out of selfishness or conceit, but with 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 the Temple of God, proclaiming himself that he is God.
• Deuteronomy 6:8Bind them as a sign on your hand, they are to be as frontlets between your eyes,
• Proverbs 3:3Let kindness and truth never leave you— bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
• Proverbs 6:21Bind them on your heart continually— tie them around your neck.
• Matthew 9:20Just then a woman, losing blood for twelve years, came from behind and touched the tzitzit of His garment.
• Numbers 15:38“Speak to Bnei-Yisrael. Say to them that they are to make for themselves tzitzit on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and they are to put a blue cord on each tzitzit.

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