Meaning of Matthew 23:5

This verse from Matthew 23:5 describes a characteristic behavior of the scribes and Pharisees, highlighting their outward displays of religious observance that were intended to draw human admiration rather than to genuinely honor God. Jesus is criticizing their hypocrisy, contrasting their public piety with their inner lack of true righteousness. The emphasis is on their motivation: "Everything they do is done for people to see." This reveals a fundamental disconnect between their outward actions and their inward spiritual state, a pattern Jesus consistently condemned throughout his ministry.

Context and Background

Jesus is delivering the "Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees" in chapter 23 of Matthew's Gospel. This passage is a series of strong rebukes against the religious leaders of his day. They held positions of authority and were responsible for interpreting and teaching the Law. However, Jesus perceived that many of them had corrupted the spirit of the Law, replacing genuine devotion with external ritualism and self-serving piety. The specific practices mentioned, wide phylacteries and long tassels, were rooted in Jewish tradition and biblical injunctions, but the scribes and Pharisees had exaggerated them for show.

Key Themes and Messages

• Hypocrisy: The central theme is hypocrisy, the pretense of virtue or religious devotion that is not genuinely felt or practiced. Their actions were a performance designed for public consumption.
• Motivation for Religious Practice: Jesus exposes the flawed motivation behind their religious acts. Instead of seeking God's approval, they sought human praise and recognition.
• Misuse of Religious Symbols: Phylacteries (small leather boxes containing scripture verses worn on the forehead and arm during prayer) and the fringes or tassels (tzitzit) on garments were commanded by God (Deuteronomy 6:8; Numbers 15:38-40) to remind the Israelites of God's Law. The scribes and Pharisees, however, enlarged these as a means of conspicuous devotion.
• Pride and Self-Exaltation: The exaggerated size of these religious items served to elevate their own perceived piety and righteousness above that of others, a clear manifestation of pride.

Spiritual Significance and Application

The verse serves as a timeless warning against performing religious duties for the sake of human applause. True spirituality is characterized by sincerity of heart and a focus on pleasing God, not on accumulating social status or admiration from others. This applies to all forms of religious expression, whether it be prayer, almsgiving, fasting, or adherence to religious traditions. The danger lies in allowing outward acts to become a substitute for inward transformation and genuine love for God and neighbor.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This critique aligns with Jesus' broader teachings about the nature of true discipleship, which emphasize inner purity over outward show. It also echoes the pronouncements of Old Testament prophets who frequently rebuked Israel for outward religious observance devoid of justice, mercy, and true repentance (e.g., Isaiah 1:10-17; Amos 5:21-24). The New Testament continues this theme, calling believers to a life of authentic faith lived out in love and humility.

Analogies

• A Stage Actor: The scribes and Pharisees are like actors on a stage, performing their roles for an audience, but the play is not their genuine life. Their actions are for show, not for reality.
• A Politician Seeking Votes: Imagine a politician who puts on an exaggerated display of concern for a particular issue, not out of genuine care, but solely to gain public favor and votes. Their actions are strategic and performative.
• A Brand Name with No Substance: It's like a beautifully packaged product that looks impressive on the outside but contains little of value or quality within. The packaging (religious displays) is elaborate, but the content (righteousness) is lacking.

Relation to Other Verses

• Matthew 6:1-4: In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus directly addresses the issue of public displays of piety, stating, "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." This passage provides the foundational teaching that underpins Jesus' condemnation in Matthew 23:5.
• Luke 11:37-44: This parallel passage in Luke also records Jesus rebuking the Pharisees, calling them "unmarked graves" and emphasizing that they tithe mint and rue but neglect justice and the love of God, again highlighting the superficiality of their religious practice.
• 1 Samuel 16:7: God's perspective on true devotion is revealed when Samuel is looking for a king. God tells Samuel, "The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." This verse offers the divine counterpoint to the scribes' and Pharisees' outward focus.