Matthew 23:5-7
They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus highlights that their "good deeds" were actually performances, designed for an audience. By making their prayer-amulets (phylacteries) and tassels (fringes) conspicuously large, they weren't honoring God, but seeking admiration from people.
Jesus is launching into a series of "woes" against the scribes and Pharisees, calling out their hypocrisy and spiritual corruption. He's just told the crowds and his disciples to follow what they teach from Moses' seat but not imitate their actions, because they preach burdens they don't carry themselves. Now, he exposes the heart of their problem: their every act is designed for show, seeking human admiration rather than God's approval.
Ever notice how some people go out of their way to make sure everyone sees their 'good deeds'? Jesus calls this out directly.
Jesus highlights a core issue with the scribes and Pharisees: their actions were performative.
Not for God, But for Applause
Their entire lives seemed to be a performance, designed to draw admiration from others. The verse says, 'They do all their deeds to be seen by others.' This wasn't about genuine devotion or obedience to God; it was about building a reputation and gaining human approval.
Exaggerated Symbols of Faith
Jesus points to specific examples: 'they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long.'
These weren't acts of faith, but tools of self-promotion. They magnified outward symbols to mask an inner lack of genuine commitment.
What’s the driving force behind actions that look religious but lack heart? Jesus reveals the true motivation.
Jesus exposes the hollow core of the Pharisees' outward religiosity. Their actions, however impressive they appeared, were not rooted in a desire to honor God.
Seeking Human Glory, Not Divine Approval
The phrase 'to be seen by others' (or 'for to be seen of men' in some translations) reveals their ultimate goal. They weren't concerned with obeying God from the heart but with accumulating human praise and status. This external focus meant their 'religious' acts were empty of true spiritual value.
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.
prōtoklisia · Greek Noun
A posture, position, or place of prominence, status, or distinction that carries social or hierarchical significance. In a biblical context, it often refers to seeking human praise or status over humble service.
sunagōgē · Greek Noun
The Pharisees, in an effort to meticulously obey God's commands given centuries earlier, began to exaggerate the outward signs like phylacteries and fringes. Jesus here exposes this practice, not as a condemnation of the command itself, but of their underlying motive: seeking human praise rather than God's glory.
c. 1400 BC
Command for Fringes and Phylacteries
God instructs the Israelites to wear fringes on their garments and to bind His words as a sign on their hands and foreheads, as reminders to obey His commandments.
c. 458 BC
Ezra Reinforces Torah Observance
Ezra the scribe leads a revival in Jerusalem, emphasizing the importance of studying and obeying the Law of Moses, which established a precedent for learned interpreters to hold prominent positions.
c. 200 BC - AD 70
Rise of the Pharisees
The Pharisee movement gains significant influence, emphasizing strict adherence to both the written Law and oral traditions, often seeking to live out the Law in meticulous, visible ways.
c. 30 BC - AD 30
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus begins His public ministry, teaching and performing miracles throughout Galilee and Judea, often in direct opposition to the established religious authorities.
This verse highlights the same hypocrisy, stating that 'what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God,' directly addressing the Pharisees' outward show that God rejects.
Matthew 6:1-4Jesus directly contrasts the Pharisees' public displays of piety (like giving to the needy) with his teaching on private devotion, emphasizing that true righteousness is not performed for human applause.
Philippians 3:4-9Paul recounts his own impressive religious credentials, similar to the Pharisees' outward show, but ultimately discards them, valuing Christ's righteousness above any self-achieved status.
1 Samuel 16:7This verse echoes God's perspective on outward appearances, reminding us that 'man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart,' which is precisely what the Pharisees ignored in their performance.
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 highlights that their "good deeds" were actually performances, designed for an audience. By making their prayer-amulets (phylacteries) and tassels (fringes) conspicuously large, they weren't honoring God, but seeking admiration from people.
Jesus is launching into a series of "woes" against the scribes and Pharisees, calling out their hypocrisy and spiritual corruption. He's just told the crowds and his disciples to follow what they teach from Moses' seat but not imitate their actions, because they preach burdens they don't carry themselves. Now, he exposes the heart of their problem: their every act is designed for show, seeking human admiration rather than God's approval.
Jesus is launching into a series of "woes" against the scribes and Pharisees, calling out their hypocrisy and spiritual corruption. He's just told the crowds and his disciples to follow what they teach from Moses' seat but not imitate their actions, because they preach burdens they don't carry themselves. Now, he exposes the heart of their problem: their every act is designed for show, seeking human admiration rather than God's approval.
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A Distortion of God's Commands
God had commanded the use of phylacteries and fringes as reminders of His law (Deuteronomy 6:8-9, Numbers 15:38-40). But the Pharisees twisted these into tools for self-aggrandizement. By making them wider and longer, they weren't honoring God's intent but displaying their own supposed piety for public consumption.
The Danger of Outer Show Without Inner Reality
Jesus’ critique isn't about the religious practices themselves, but about the motive behind them. It’s a stark warning against a faith that prioritizes appearances over authentic, heart-felt obedience and a genuine relationship with God.
A formal assembly, gathering, or assembly place for the Jewish community, focused on the reading and study of the Scriptures. It became a primary setting for religious instruction and social influence during the Second Temple period.
rhabbi · Greek Noun
A title of respect, literally meaning 'my great one' or 'my master,' used for authoritative teachers of the Jewish law. Jesus forbids this title among his disciples to emphasize that he is the sole source of divine authority.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Confrontation with Religious Leaders
Jesus directly confronts the scribes and Pharisees in Jerusalem, denouncing their hypocrisy, their focus on outward show, and their failure to uphold the true spirit of the Law.
"They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called…" — Jesus highlights that their "good deeds" were actually performances, designed for an audience. By making their prayer-amulets (phylacteries) and tassels (fringes) conspicuously large, they weren't ho…
