Matthew 23:5

Matthew 23:5, in plain English

Jesus points out that everything the religious leaders do is for show. They make their prayer accessories extra big and their religious outfits extra noticeable so everyone can see how 'spiritual' they are.

Why it's here

There's nothing wrong with the practices themselves. The problem is the motivation. They're doing it to impress people, not to honor God.

Who's speaking

Jesus calls out the leaders' desire to look holy rather than actually be holy.

Where it sits in the story

It's like someone who volunteers at a charity only when there's a camera rolling. The action looks good, but the heart behind it is all wrong.

The scholarly reading

Phylacteries (phylakteria, Hebrew tefillin) are small boxes containing Scripture worn during prayer (Deut 6:8). Tassels (kraspeda, Hebrew tzitzit) are fringes on garment corners (Num 15:38-39). The Pharisees 'broaden' and 'lengthen' these to display exaggerated piety.

Language and setting

Both phylacteries and tassels were legitimate Torah commands. The issue is not the practice but the motivation: they do everything 'for men to see' (pros to theathenai), performing religion for human approval.

Voice

Jesus exposes the Pharisees' performative religiosity, using specific examples of ritual objects made conspicuous for show.

Significance

Jesus points to something everyone could see: the Pharisees wearing oversized religious accessories as spiritual status symbols. Their devotion was a performance, not a reality.

3So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.

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.

5All 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,

7the greetings in the marketplaces, and the title of ‘Rabbi’ by which they are addressed.

Read all of Matthew 23 — Seven devastating woes crash down on the religious establishment. Jesus doesn't whisper his critique — he thunders it.