Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY

Matthew 23:5

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
- 5 All the works they do, they do to be seen by men,+ for they broaden the scripture-containing cases that they wear as safeguards*+ and lengthen the fringes of their garments.+

Matthew 23:5

The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures
- 5 πάντα All δὲ but τὰ the ἔργα works αὐτῶν of them ποιοῦσιν they are doing πρὸς toward τὸ the θεαθῆναι to be viewed τοῖς to the ἀνθρώποις· men; πλατύνουσι they are broadening γὰρ for τὰ the φυλακτήρια phylacteries αὐτῶν of them καὶ and μεγαλύνουσι they are enlarging τὰ the κράσπεδα, fringes,

Matthew 23:5

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures—With References
- 5 All the works they do they do to be viewed by men;+ for they broaden the [scripture-containing] cases+ that they wear as safeguards,* and enlarge the fringes*+ [of their garments].

Matthew 23:5

The Bible in Living English
- 5 And all their moral acts they do with an eye to being viewed by men; for they make their phylacteries broad and their tassels long.

Matthew 23:5

American Standard Version
- 5 But all their works they do to be seen of men: for they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

Matthew 23:5

The Emphasized Bible
- 5 But all their works they do to be gazed at by men,—For they make broad their amulets And make large their fringes,

Matthew 23:5

King James Version
- 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

Matthew Study Notes—Chapter 23

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)
- 23:5
  
  the scripture-containing cases that they wear as safeguards: Or “their phylacteries.” These small leather cases containing four portions of the Law (Ex 13:1-10, 11-16; De 6:4-9; 11:13-21) were worn by Jewish men on their forehead and left arm. This practice had its origin in a literal interpretation of God’s direction to the Israelites at Ex 13:9, 16; De 6:8; 11:18. Jesus criticized the religious leaders because they enlarged their scripture-containing cases in order to impress others and because they wrongly considered them to be charms, or amulets, that would protect them.
  
  lengthen the fringes: At Nu 15:38-40, the Israelites were commanded to make fringes on their garments, but for show, the scribes and Pharisees make theirs longer than anyone else does.