Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; New Living Translation “Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels. English Standard Version They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, Berean Standard Bible All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. Berean Literal Bible And they do all their deeds in order to be seen by men. For they broaden their phylacteries and enlarge their tassels, King James Bible 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 King James Version But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. New American Standard Bible And they do all their deeds to be noticed by other people; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. NASB 1995 “But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. NASB 1977 “But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries, and lengthen the tassels of their garments. Legacy Standard Bible But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. Amplified Bible They do all their deeds to be seen by men; for they make their phylacteries (tefillin) wide [to make them more conspicuous] and make their tassels long. Christian Standard Bible They do everything to be seen by others: They enlarge their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. Holman Christian Standard Bible They do everything to be observed by others: They enlarge their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. American Standard Version But all their works they do to be seen of men: for they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, Contemporary English Version Everything they do is just to show off in front of others. They even make a big show of wearing Scripture verses on their foreheads and arms, and they wear big tassels for everyone to see. English Revised Version But all their works they do for to be seen of men: for they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, GOD'S WORD® Translation "They do everything to attract people's attention. They make their headbands large and the tassels on their shawls long. Good News Translation They do everything so that people will see them. Look at the straps with scripture verses on them which they wear on their foreheads and arms, and notice how large they are! Notice also how long are the tassels on their cloaks! International Standard Version "They do everything to be seen by people. They increase the size of their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. Majority Standard Bible All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. NET Bible They do all their deeds to be seen by people, for they make their phylacteries wide and their tassels long. New Heart English Bible But all their works they do to be seen by others. They make their tefillin broad and enlarge the fringe of their garments, Webster's Bible Translation But all their works they do to be seen by men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, Weymouth New Testament And everything they do they do with a view to being observed by men; for they widen their phylacteries and make the tassels large, World English Bible But they do all their works to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the fringes of their garments, Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd all their works they do to be seen by men, and they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the fringes of their garments, Berean Literal Bible And they do all their deeds in order to be seen by men. For they broaden their phylacteries and enlarge their tassels, Young's Literal Translation 'And all their works they do to be seen by men, and they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the fringes of their garments, Smith's Literal Translation And all their works do they, to be seen by men: and make broad their preservatives, and enlarge the border of their garments. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd all their works they do for to be seen of men. For they make their phylacteries broad, and enlarge their fringes. Catholic Public Domain Version Truly, they do all their works so that they may be seen by men. For they enlarge their phylacteries and glorify their hems. New American Bible All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. New Revised Standard Version They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd all their works they do, just to be seen by men; for they widen the fringes of their garments, and they lengthen the ends of their robes, Aramaic Bible in Plain English And they do all their works to be seen by the children of men, for they enlarge their phylacteries and they extend the blue fringes of their robes. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd they do all their works for the purpose of being seen by men. They make their amulets broad, and enlarge the fringes of their mantles. Godbey New Testament Haweis New Testament And all their works they do to be seen of men: they make their phylacteries broad, and deepen the fringes of their garments, Mace New Testament their phylacterys are broader, and the fringes of their garments are larger than those of others: Weymouth New Testament And everything they do they do with a view to being observed by men; for they widen their phylacteries and make the tassels large, Worrell New Testament Worsley New Testament Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Woes to Scribes and Pharisees…4They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. 5 All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. 6They love the places of honor at banquets, the chief seats in the synagogues,… Cross References Matthew 6:1-5 “Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. / So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. / But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ... Luke 20:46-47 “Beware of the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, and they love the greetings in the marketplaces, the chief seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets. / They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.” Mark 12:38-40 In His teaching Jesus also said, “Watch out for the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, to receive greetings in the marketplaces, / and to have the chief seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. / They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.” Luke 11:43-44 Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the chief seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces. / Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without even noticing.” Matthew 6:16-18 When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. / But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, / so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. John 5:44 How can you believe if you accept glory from one another, yet do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions. Galatians 6:12-13 Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ. / For the circumcised do not even keep the law themselves, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. Philippians 1:15-17 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. / The latter do so in love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. / The former, however, preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can add to the distress of my chains. 1 Thessalonians 2:5-6 As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness! / Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else, although as apostles of Christ we had authority to demand it. 1 Peter 5:5-6 Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” / Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you. Isaiah 1:12-15 When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts? / Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. / I hate your New Moons and your appointed feasts. They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. ... Isaiah 58:2-5 For day after day they seek Me and delight to know My ways, like a nation that does what is right and does not forsake the justice of their God. They ask Me for righteous judgments; they delight in the nearness of God.” / “Why have we fasted, and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?” “Behold, on the day of your fast, you do as you please, and you oppress all your workers. / You fast with contention and strife to strike viciously with your fist. You cannot fast as you do today and have your voice be heard on high. ... Ezekiel 33:31-32 So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain. / Indeed, you are to them like a singer of love songs with a beautiful voice, who skillfully plays an instrument. They hear your words but do not put them into practice. Micah 3:5-7 This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths: / Therefore night will come over you without visions, and darkness without divination. The sun will set on these prophets, and the daylight will turn black over them. / Then the seers will be ashamed and the diviners will be disgraced. They will all cover their mouths because there is no answer from God.” Treasury of Scripture But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, all. Matthew 6:1-16 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven… 2 Kings 10:16 And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for the LORD. So they made him ride in his chariot. Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. they make. Deuteronomy 6:8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. Proverbs 3:3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: Proverbs 6:21-23 Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck… the borders. Matthew 9:20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: Numbers 15:38,39 Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue: … Deuteronomy 22:12 Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself. Jump to Previous Borders Broad Broaden Deeds Edges Enlarge Fringes Garments Large Noticed Observed Phylacteries Tassels View Widen WorksJump to Next Borders Broad Broaden Deeds Edges Enlarge Fringes Garments Large Noticed Observed Phylacteries Tassels View Widen WorksMatthew 23 1. Jesus admonishes the people to follow good doctrine, not bad examples5. His disciples must beware of their ambition. 13. He denounces eight woes against their hypocrisy and blindness, 34. and prophesies of the destruction of Jerusalem. All their deeds are done for men to see This phrase highlights the motivation behind the actions of the scribes and Pharisees. The Greek word for "deeds" (ἔργα, erga) refers to works or actions, emphasizing that their religious practices were not for God but for human approval. Historically, this reflects a common issue in religious communities where outward appearances are prioritized over genuine faith. Jesus criticizes this behavior, urging believers to seek God's approval rather than human praise, aligning with the broader biblical theme of sincerity in worship. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels Phylacteries.--The Greek word (phylacterion) from which the English is derived signifies "safe-guard or preservative," and was probably applied under the idea that the phylacteries were charms or amulets against the evil eye or the power of evil spirits. This was the common meaning of the word in later Greek, and it is hardly likely to have risen among the Hellenistic Jews to the higher sense which has sometimes been ascribed to it, of being a means to keep men in mind of the obligations of the Law. Singularly enough, it is not used by the LXX. translators for the "frontlets" of Exodus 13:16, Deuteronomy 6:8; Deuteronomy 11:18 and the only place in the Old Testament where it is found is for the "cushions" of Ezekiel 13:18. The Hebrew word in common use from our Lord's time onward has been tephillin, or Prayers. The things so named were worn by well-nigh all Jews as soon as they became Children of the Law, i.e., at thirteen. They consisted of a small box containing the four passages in which frontlets are mentioned (Exodus 13:2-16; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Deuteronomy 11:13-22), written on four slips of vellum for the phylactery of the head, and on one for that of the arm. This is fastened by a loop to thin leather straps, which are twisted in the one case round the arm, with the box on the heart, in the other, round the head, with the box on the brow. They were worn commonly during the act of prayer (hence the Hebrew name), and by those who made a show of perpetual devotion and study of the Law, during the whole day. The Pharisees, in their ostentatious show of piety, made either the box or the straps wider than the common size, and wore them as they walked to and fro in the streets, or prayed standing (Matthew 6:5), that men might see and admire them. . . . Verse 5. - For to be seen of men. The second bad principle in their religion was ostentation and vanity. Acts done professedly in the honour of God were animated by self-seeking and ambition. They never penetrated beyond externalism. See this spirit reproved in the sermon on the mount (Matthew 6:1, 2, etc.). "They loved the glory of men more than the glory of God" (John 12:43). Christ then gives proofs of this spirit of ostentation in religion and in private life. Phylacteries; φυλακτήρια: literally, preservatives; equivalent to "amulets;" the translation of the Hebrew word tephillin, "prayer fillets." These were either strips of parchment or small cubes covered with leather, on or in which were written four sections of the Law, viz. Exodus 13:1-10, 11-16; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Deuteronomy 11:13-21. They were worn fastened either to the forehead, or inside the left arm, so as to be near the heart. Their use arose from a literal and superstitious interpretation of Exodus 13:9; Deuteronomy 6:8; Deuteronomy 11:18. Their dimensions were defined by rabbinical rules, but the extra pious formalists of the day set these at naught, and increased the breadth of the strips or of the bands by which they were fastened, in order to draw attention to their religiousness and their strict attention to the least observances of the Law. These phylacteries are still in use among the Jews. Thus in a 'Class Book for Jewish Youth' we read, "Every boy, three months before he attains the age of thirteen, commences to make use of the tephillin, which must be worn at least during the time of the morning prayers. The ordinance of the tephillin is one of the signs of the covenant existing between the Almighty and ourselves, that we may continually bear in mind the miracles God wrought for our forefathers." Enlarge the borders of their garments; τὰ κράσπεδα τῶν ἱματίων αὐτῶν, the fringes of their outer garments. The best manuscripts have merely their fringes. So the Vulgate, magnificant fimbrias. These fringes or tassels (zizith, zizijoth) were fastened to the corners of the garments, in accordance with Numbers 15:38-41, and were composed of white and blue threads. They were intended to remind the wearers of the commandments of the Lord, and were regarded as peculiarly sacred (see Matthew 9:20). Christ condemns the ostentatious enlargement of these fringes as a badge of extraordinary piety and obedience. We quote again from the Jewish 'Class. Book:' "Every male of the Jewish nation must wear a garment [not usually an undergarment] made with four corners, having fringes fixed at each corner. These fringes are called tsetsis, or, memorial fringes. In the synagogue, during the morning prayers, a scarf with fringes attached to it is worn, which is called tollece, 'scarf or veil.' These memorial fringes typically point out the six hundred and thirteen precepts contained in the volume of the sacred Law. They are also intended to remind us of the goodness of the Almighty in having delivered our forefathers from the slavery in Egypt."Parallel Commentaries ... Greek AllΠάντα (Panta) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. their αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. deeds ἔργα (erga) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 2041: From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act. are done ποιοῦσιν (poiousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. for πρὸς (pros) Preposition Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. men ἀνθρώποις (anthrōpois) Noun - Dative Masculine Plural Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. to see. θεαθῆναι (theathēnai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive Strong's 2300: A prolonged form of a primary verb; to look closely at, i.e. perceive; by extension to visit. They broaden πλατύνουσιν (platynousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 4115: To enlarge, make broad; met: of the growth of tenderness and love. From platus; to widen. their αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. phylacteries φυλακτήρια (phylaktēria) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 5440: Neuter of a derivative of phulasso; a guard-case, i.e. 'phylactery' for wearing slips of Scripture texts. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. lengthen μεγαλύνουσιν (megalynousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 3170: (a) I enlarge, lengthen, (b) I increase, magnify, extol. From megas; to make great, i.e. Increase or extol. their τὰ (ta) Article - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. tassels. κράσπεδα (kraspeda) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 2899: The fringe, edge, corner, tassel. Of uncertain derivation; a margin, i.e., a fringe or tassel. Links Matthew 23:5 NIVMatthew 23:5 NLT Matthew 23:5 ESV Matthew 23:5 NASB Matthew 23:5 KJV Matthew 23:5 BibleApps.com Matthew 23:5 Biblia Paralela Matthew 23:5 Chinese Bible Matthew 23:5 French Bible Matthew 23:5 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do (Matt. Mat Mt) |
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