But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
Parallel translations
- WEB But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad, enlarge the fringes of their garments,
- BSB All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
- NKJV But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.
- NASB And they do all their deeds to be noticed by other people; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments.
- NLT “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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Their works are done to be admired by people, exaggerating outward religious symbols like phylacteries and tassels. It exposes religion driven by vanity rather than devotion to God.
Overview
Phylacteries were small boxes containing Scripture worn on the body, and the fringes were prescribed tassels on garments; the leaders enlarged these to display their piety. Jesus condemns religion performed for human applause rather than for God. True worship seeks the approval of the Father who sees in secret, not the praise of onlookers.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 18
- John 12:43For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
- Matt 6:1–16Take 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.
- John 5:44How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
- Deut 6:8And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
- Luke 16:15And 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.
- Phil 2:3Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
- Num 15:38–39Speak 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:
- Exod 13:9And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD’s law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.
- Luke 20:47Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.
- Deut 22:12Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself.
- Prov 6:21–23Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.
- John 7:18He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
- Prov 3:3Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
- Matt 9:20And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
- Phil 1:15Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
- 2 Th 2:4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
- 2 Kgs 10:16And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for the LORD. So they made him ride in his chariot.
- Deut 11:18Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.
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Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
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Original language
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