Matthew 23:5 - Forerunner Commentary

Matthew 23:5

3 Therefore whatever they tell you¹ to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for ^athey say, and do not do.

4 ^aFor they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

5 But all their works they do to ^abe seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.

6 ^aThey love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,

7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’

8 ^aBut you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your¹ Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.

9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; ^afor One is your Father, He who is in heaven.

10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.

11 But ^ahe who is greatest among you shall be your servant.

12 ^aAnd whoever exalts himself will be¹ humbled, and he who humbles himself will be² exalted.

13 “But ^awoe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.

14 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ^aFor you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.

15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of¹ hell as yourselves.

Verse Comparison: Matthew 23:5

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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',

Amplified® Bible
They do all their works to be seen of men; for they make wide their phylacteries (small cases enclosing certain Scripture passages, worn during prayer on the left arm and forehead) and make long their fringes [worn by all male Israelites, according to the command].

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.

Darby English Version
And all their works they do to be seen of men: for they make broad their phylacteries and enlarge the borders [of their garments],

Good News Bible
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 all their actions to be seen by people. They increase the size of their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments.

King James Version
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 American 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.}

New International Version
"Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long;

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.

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
"But they do all their deeds to receive notice by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments.

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,

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