New Testament
Matthew 23:5
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Everything they do is to be noticed by others. They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long.
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But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
What Matthew 23:5 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus criticizes the religious leaders of His time for their desire to be seen as pious and righteous by others. They wear their religious symbols, like phylacteries (small boxes containing scripture) and tassels, in an exaggerated manner to draw attention to themselves. Instead of focusing on genuine faith and humility, they prioritize outward appearances and the approval of people. This behavior highlights a deeper issue of hypocrisy, where their actions are not motivated by true devotion to God but by a desire for recognition and status among their peers. Jesus emphasizes that true righteousness comes from the heart, not from outward displays meant to impress others. This serves as a warning against performing religious acts for show rather than for sincere worship and obedience to God.
How to apply Matthew 23:5 to your life
We should examine our motives for our actions, especially in our spiritual lives. Are we serving to gain approval from others, or are we genuinely seeking to honor God? Strive for authenticity in your faith, focusing on inner transformation rather than external validation.
Curated for this public verse page. Matthew Summary
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Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725045). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nazareth, Israel; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
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At a Glance — the Book of Matthew
- Author
- Matthew the apostle
- Written
- Around AD 60-70
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- Jewish Christians
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Matthew 23:5 mean?
Matthew 23:5 means that Jesus is criticizing religious leaders for their focus on outward appearances and the desire for recognition from others. They exaggerate their religious symbols to appear more pious, highlighting their hypocrisy.
What is the significance of phylacteries in Matthew 23:5?
Phylacteries are small boxes containing scripture that some Jewish men wear during prayer. In Matthew 23:5, their exaggerated size symbolizes the religious leaders' intention to show off their piety rather than genuinely follow God's teachings.
What does Jesus say about hypocrisy in Matthew 23:5?
In Matthew 23:5, Jesus points out the hypocrisy of religious leaders who perform acts of faith for the sake of being noticed by others. He emphasizes that true righteousness should come from a sincere heart, not from seeking approval.
How can we apply Matthew 23:5 to our lives?
We can apply Matthew 23:5 by examining our motives for our actions, especially in our spiritual practices. It's important to focus on genuine faith and inner transformation rather than seeking validation from others.
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