They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is exposing a fundamental disconnect: the Pharisees' outward actions, like their broad phylacteries and long fringes, were intended to signal a deep adherence to God's law, but their true motivation was to be seen and admired by others, not to truly follow God. This highlights how the desire for human approval can twist even religiously mandated practices into performances that obscure genuine devotion.
They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is speaking to the crowds and his disciples, directly addressing the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. He has just warned the people to obey their teachings but not imitate their actions, highlighting their heavy burdens and lack of personal obedience. Now, he exposes their motivation: their religious practices, like wearing wide phylacteries and long fringes, are done solely for show to gain human admiration, not out of genuine devotion.
Ever feel like you're doing good deeds just for show? Jesus calls out a specific danger here, one that can creep into even our most sincere efforts.
Jesus levels a serious accusation against the scribes and Pharisees: 'all their works they do to be seen by others.' This wasn't about occasional lapses; it was their purpose. Their deeds weren't primarily for God's glory or for genuine connection, but for human applause.
The Core Issue: Audience of One
Jesus had already warned about this in Matthew 6:1: 'Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be noticed by them.' The danger is turning our faith into a performance for an audience of people, rather than an offering to God, the only One whose opinion truly matters.
Performance vs. Purpose
It's a crucial distinction. We should do good works, and those works can inspire others. But the motivation is key. When the goal is to be seen, admired, or respected by people, the deed itself becomes hollow, even if it looks impressive on the outside. It’s a form of spiritual vanity.
What do oversized prayer boxes and extra-long tassels have to do with spiritual authenticity? Jesus uses these details to expose a deeper problem.
Jesus points to two specific examples of the Pharisees' outward religious practices: making their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. These weren't inherently sinful acts; they were commands given by God.
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God's Intent vs. Their Practice
The Danger of Embellishment
These were tangible ways they exaggerated religious symbols. It wasn't just about wearing them; it was about making them conspicuous. This highlights how external religious markers, when driven by a desire for human recognition, become a substitute for genuine inner devotion. They adorned the symbols of faith while neglecting the substance.
Understand the original words
phylaktērion · Greek Noun
Small leather boxes containing parchment scrolls with Torah passages, worn on the forehead and arm during prayer. In biblical times, they were intended to be a constant reminder of God's Word, though here they are used as objects of ostentatious display.
kraspedon · Greek Noun
Tassels attached to the corners of garments, commanded in the Law (Numbers 15:38) as a reminder to keep the Lord's commandments. Making them 'long' was a sign of exaggerated outward piety.
Jesus' critique of the Pharisees' broad phylacteries and long fringes wasn't about the practices themselves, but their *motivation*. These outward signs, originally meant to foster remembrance of God's law, had become tools for public display and self-exaltation, completely missing their intended spiritual purpose.
c. 1500 BC
Commandment for Fringes and Phylacteries Given
God instructs the Israelites to wear fringes (tzitzit) on their garments and to bind His words as signs on their hands and foreheads (phylacteries). These were intended as constant reminders of God's commandments.
c. 586 BC
Babylonian Exile Begins
The destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple marks a period of spiritual crisis and reevaluation for the Jewish people. This experience deeply impacted their religious practices and understanding of God's law.
c. 520-400 BC
Post-Exilic Period and Ezra's Reforms
Following the return from exile, figures like Ezra emphasized adherence to the Law. This period saw a growing attention to detailed observance and interpretation of scripture, possibly influencing the development of more elaborate religious practices.
c. 150 BC - AD 30
Rise of the Pharisees
The Pharisee movement gains prominence, focusing on strict adherence to both the written Law and oral traditions. They become influential interpreters and teachers of Jewish law, emphasizing meticulous observance.
c. AD 29-30— this verse
Jesus' Public Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry, often teaching and interacting with crowds and religious leaders, including the scribes and Pharisees.
c. AD 30
Jesus Denounces Hypocrisy
Jesus delivers strong rebukes against the religious hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees, highlighting their focus on outward appearances over inner righteousness.
This passage describes the Pharisees' love for prominent positions in synagogues and public greetings, highlighting the same theme of seeking human recognition and status over genuine humility.
Matthew 6:1-4Jesus directly contrasts righteous giving with the ostentatious charity of hypocrites who 'want to be seen by men,' paralleling the motivation behind the Pharisees' public displays in Matthew 23:5.
1 Samuel 15:22This verse emphasizes that obedience and devotion to God are far more valuable than outward rituals or sacrifices, underscoring Jesus' point that the Pharisees' visible piety was hollow without true heart commitment.
Proverbs 16:18The warning that 'pride goes before destruction' directly relates to the Pharisees' puffed-up displays and self-importance, showing the spiritual danger of their desire to be seen and admired.
vincentMatthew 23:5: "But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,"
To be seen (πρὸς τὸ θεαθῆναι)See Matthew 6:1, where the same word occurs. The scribes and Pharisees deport themselves with a view to being contemplated as actors in a theatre; so that men may fix their gaze upon them admiringly.Phylacteries - Borders of their garments (φυλακτήρια - κράσπεδα)Phylacteries, called by the Rabbis tephillin, prayer-fil…
calvinMatthew 23:1-12: "Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,"
- Then Jesus spoke to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2. Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in the chair of Moses. 3. Observe and do, therefore, all things whatever they command you to observe; but do not according to their works; for they say and do not. 4. For they bind heavy and intolerable burdens, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they refuse to touch them with their finger. 5. And they do all their…
Jesus is exposing a fundamental disconnect: the Pharisees' outward actions, like their broad phylacteries and long fringes, were intended to signal a deep adherence to God's law, but their true motivation was to be seen and admired by others, not to truly follow God. This highlights how the desire for human approval can twist even religiously mandated practices into performances that obscure genuine devotion.
Jesus is speaking to the crowds and his disciples, directly addressing the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. He has just warned the people to obey their teachings but not imitate their actions, highlighting their heavy burdens and lack of personal obedience. Now, he exposes their motivation: their religious practices, like wearing wide phylacteries and long fringes, are done solely for show to gain human admiration, not out of genuine devotion.
Jesus is speaking to the crowds and his disciples, directly addressing the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. He has just warned the people to obey their teachings but not imitate their actions, highlighting their heavy burdens and lack of personal obedience. Now, he exposes their motivation: their religious practices, like wearing wide phylacteries and long fringes, are done solely for show to gain human admiration, not out of genuine devotion.
"They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long," — Jesus is exposing a fundamental disconnect: the Pharisees' outward actions, like their broad phylacteries and long fringes, were intended to signal a deep adherence to God's law, but their true motiv…
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Last reviewed October 2026