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Explanation for:
Matthew
23
:
5
And all their works they do for to be seen of men. For they make their phylacteries broad, and enlarge their fringes.
11
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Anyone who performs acts merely for the sake of being noticed by others resembles the scribes and Pharisees. How unfortunate are we, who have inherited the flaws of the Pharisees. When the Lord imparted the laws through Moses, He instructed, “You shall bind them in your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.” The essence of this directive is that His commandments should be held firmly in one’s actions and kept constantly in one’s thoughts, allowing for reflection both day and night. The Pharisees, misunderstanding this instruction, inscribed the Ten Commandments on parchment and affixed them to their foreheads as if crowning themselves, ensuring they were always within their line of sight. This practice continues among certain groups, with individuals regarded as particularly devout when they uphold such customs. Moses also prescribed that the Israelites should attach a fringe of blue to the corners of their garments for their identification as His people. As a sign of belonging to the Jewish community, he ensured their attire bore a distinction. Superstitious teachers, desiring human admiration and the favor of women, created ostentatious fringes adorned with sharp needles, intending that their constant pricking would serve as reminders to devote themselves to God and fulfill His commands. When He remarked that all perform their deeds for the sake of being observed, He issued a universal indictment against them, which he later elaborated on in detail. This small tablet, containing the commandments, was metaphorically called a stronghold, as its possessor was seen as having a protective barrier; yet, the Pharisees failed to grasp that the commandments were meant for the heart rather than mere physical representation. Instead, they filled their homes with books yet remained ignorant of God. This is often echoed by some women today, who carry miniature gospels or parables, possessing a zeal for God but lacking proper understanding—focusing on minor details while neglecting what truly matters. The fringe, small and short as prescribed by the law, was remarkable in that it was touched by a well-known woman suffering from bleeding; her action was not driven by superstition or the pricks of the Pharisees, but rather by her faith in the healing power of Jesus."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"They perform all their actions, the Saviour declares, to be noticed by others. Through these words, He corrects them for their vanity, which has led to their downfall. The behaviors previously mentioned reveal their cruelty and indifference; however, the ones discussed now expose their excessive desire for recognition. This yearning pulled them away from God, causing them to pursue a different kind of disgrace, leading to their destruction. Indeed, those who have an audience engage in displays to win their approval. Thus, someone who stands before a crowd filled with valor seeks to demonstrate his own courage; while another who faces an audience characterized by timidity may become complacent himself. Similarly, if an individual is in front of a crowd that enjoys humor, he strives to amuse them; conversely, someone addressing a serious and pensive audience will adjust his demeanor to match theirs, driven by the hope of receiving admiration. Yet observe how the Saviour intensifies the accountability of the Pharisees. He doesn’t indicate that they act one way at times and differently at others; rather, their behavior is consistently the same. After addressing their vanity, He further elucidates that they are not proud of any significant and necessary deeds (as they possess no genuine good works), but rather of trivial and insignificant actions that reveal their corruption. He states that they expand their phylacteries and embellish the fringes of their garments. What are these phylacteries and fringes? Frequently, as they forget God’s blessings, He instructed them to document His miracles on special scrolls and attach these scrolls to their hands (hence it is written, Let them be as frontlets between your eyes - Deuteronomy 6:8), referred to as phylacteries, similar to how some today wear their scriptures around their necks. To aid their remembrance of His blessings, God commanded them, like young children do to prevent forgetfulness, to tie cords around their fingers, in addition to sewing blue threads on the hems of their garments, so that upon seeing them, they might recall the commandments—these threads were known as fringes. They took great care to fashion broad bands for these scrolls and to lengthen the fringes of their garments, displaying their extreme vanity. Why do you take pride in and amplify these symbols? Do you consider this your virtue? Will they be of any benefit if you ignore the messages they convey? God does not require you to enlarge or extend them, but rather to remember His blessings. If acts of charity and fasting are not to be commended—those requiring effort on our part and represent our genuine good works—then, O Jew, how can you boast about those things that particularly highlight your negligence? Moreover, the Jews exhibited their arrogance not only through these minor observances but also in numerous other ways."},{"author-name":"Ephraem the Syrian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88b589fc3e99eb7bb1839_Ephraem%20the%20Syrian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Dressing oneself in fine apparel is detrimental to one’s spirit, as luxurious clothing brings shame to the soul of a monk; however, simple attire is fitting for a monk. Those who adorn themselves will develop vanity, and a vain monk resembles an inexperienced eagle."},{"author-name":"Isidore of Pelusium","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88d94130e668938c9ae9d_Isidore%20of%20Pelusium.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"In response to your inquiry about the phrase, \\"They enlarge the storehouses,\\" it is important to understand that there were small scrolls containing the law that were carried by the Jewish teachers, much like women today carry small gospels. The Lawgiver, in His desire for the Jews to adhere to the law—leaving no opportunity for forgetfulness—commanded, \\"Thou shalt bind, that is, fasten and hang, justification upon thy hand\\" (Deuteronomy 6:8). However, rather than focusing on fulfilling the law, they prioritized the care of the scrolls, which led to their rightful reproach."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"While they may appear to engage in good deeds, their actions are ultimately insincere. Since all their past endeavors were mere facades, their reward is taken from them. So, what do they do? They \\"enlarge their storehouses and increase the votives of their garments.\\" This practice was based on the commandment, \\"tie it upon your hand, and let it be steadfast before your eyes.\\" Consequently, the Jews inscribed the Ten Commandments onto two parchments, one affixed to the forehead and the other to the right hand. Voskriliye referred to the embroidery of dark red or scarlet threads arranged in a pattern along the edges of their outer garments. The Pharisees adhered to this tradition because it was mandated by the law, aimed to keep the Jewish people focused on God’s commandments. However, God desired not mere external observance; true fulfillment of the commandments resided in the heart. The red patches symbolized that humanity would one day be marked by the blood of Christ. Yet, the Pharisees constructed grand vaults and shrines to project themselves as devoted guardians of the law to all observers."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"All their actions will be performed to attract the attention of others—the deeds they deemed commendable. It is noteworthy that their prior criticism involved strictness towards others coupled with negligence, whereas this accusation points to their desire for recognition. The reality is that they lacked any remarkable virtues, boasting instead about trivial and insubstantial matters, which only heightens the charge against them. They would display their phylacteries and boast about the elaborate fringes on their garments, claiming these to be their unique virtues. \\n\\nWe can draw a parallel here. As the Israelites often overlooked God’s blessings, He commanded them to inscribe His gifts on scrolls and attach them to the hands of teachers, ensuring they remain in sight for constant remembrance. These scrolls are referred to as phylacteries because they contribute to the preservation of memory and awareness. Moreover, to prevent the commandments from being forgotten, God instructed a blue thread to be placed on the edges of their garments, which would serve as a continual reminder of His laws. This was known as a tzitzit. However, the scribes and Pharisees, even while neglecting these commandments, adorned themselves with wide phylacteries and flaunted lengthy tassels on their garments, filled with pride and misguided notions of piety. Mark noted their long robes (στολαι), warning in Mark 12:38 to be cautious of the scribes who move about in such garments. Likewise, Luke echoed this sentiment in Luke 20:46. Through these superficial displays, they revealed their vanity."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Those who adhere to certain aspects of the law and customs do so merely to create an illusion when they are among others. Even in these moments, their actions are primarily aimed at setting themselves apart on a superficial level. They foolishly enlarge the phylacteries they don, as a way to exhibit their devotion to the law's observance, despite being the very ones who violate it first. Additionally, they lengthen the fringes on their garments, as commanded by Moses (Numbers 15:38-40), in order to promote an understanding and observance of all the commandments, achieving holiness before God."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"What is it that captivates their attention? What drives all their efforts? It is that which is prohibited by the Law: everything they do is intended for public view. When they perform acts that are aligned with the Law, their motivation is not to obey the Law genuinely but rather out of a desire for empty recognition, so others might admire their supposed holiness and praise them. In neglecting the truly significant and essential aspects of the Law, the scribes and Pharisees strive to appear righteous even in minor matters. They dress in long robes to pray, particularly during festive occasions. They enhance their phylacteries, the small boxes containing scriptural passages, which they wear on their foreheads and left arms. They purposefully adorn themselves with oversized leather boxes containing excerpts from the Law, and they increase the length of the fringes on their garments, showcasing these adornments for all to see. Moses instructed that such items should serve as reminders of God's commandments and inspire acts of goodness, not as decorations for self-aggrandizement."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The scribes and Pharisees sought to be seen by others; they did not authentically adhere to the very commands they imposed upon the people. Their actions were motivated by pride, aimed at presenting themselves as righteous law-abiders, thus behaving hypocritically. The phrase “enlarge their phylacteries” refers to the leather pouches containing scrolls with the sacred words of the Mosaic Law, which were fastened to their foreheads and left arms, near the heart. This practice stemmed from a literal interpretation of God's directive, given through Moses, that the Israelites should keep His words in sight and near at hand (Ex. 13:9, Deut. 6:8, Deut. 11:18). These phylacteries served both as reminders of the Law and as talismans believed to ward off malevolent forces. While their designs varied and were not always worn, they were typically utilized during morning and evening prayers and gatherings in synagogues. In contrast to the common people, the Pharisees made their phylacteries more prominent to set themselves apart and showcase their supposed devotion. Additionally, the “tassels on their garments” were the four fringes attached to the corners of their outer robes, along with threads dyed in blue. The Law commanded (Numbers 15:38-40, Deuteronomy 22:12) that these be worn so that the Israelites, upon seeing them, would recall God's commandments and recognize their distinct identity among nations. The Pharisees also exaggerated the size of these tassels, mirroring their treatment of phylacteries, as a means of displaying their arrogance."},{"author-name":"Jewgenij A. Popow","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Sin: Pharisaism It is more than just an outward display of faith. Simply pointing this out is insufficient: the external manifestation of religion, devoid of genuine thought and fervor, is occasionally observed even among genuinely devout individuals. However, the insincerity of prayer or any virtuous act, if committed infrequently, does not qualify as pharisaism in faith. Pharisaism embodies a conscious deception or a carefully crafted artificial holiness. It leads to spiritual ruin when it becomes entrenched as a characteristic or guiding principle for an individual. What is its aim? ‘Let men be seen of men’; “let them be glorified of men” (Matthew 6:2). Hypocrites either seek to exert influence over others, as seen with certain members of the Old Believers who offer charity or lend money to their peers, or they aim to gain favor with influential clergy to benefit from their intercession for personal advancement, or they hope to receive admiration and respect from genuinely pious individuals who appreciate appearances of similar devotion. Their hearts lack faith and true piety, yet they masquerade as ardent believers only when it serves their purposes. Any good they perform is merely for show, not meant as a true example for others, but solely for accolades or other ulterior motives. When there is no one to observe their piety, or when there is no advantage in presenting themselves as devout before recognizable individuals, they refrain from such displays. For instance, they may easily disregard fasting, neglect making the sign of the cross, lack the enthusiasm to attend church, and instead reveal a secular demeanor in front of worldly people, adhering to their own self-serving agenda rather than for the benefit of others. For these hypocrites, trivial matters of outward religiosity are prioritized above genuine conscience, love, and truth. They focus on inconsequential details, dismissing ‘judgment and mercy and faith’ (Matthew 23:23) as inconsequential, which results in their false zeal being overly demanding of others while they indulge themselves. They possess a hardened heart and, cloaked in a facade of virtue, are ready to commit various forms of wrongdoing. Therefore, lamentation is warranted for those who have internalized the essence of Pharisaism."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The scribes and Pharisees, while shunning the responsibilities they placed on those who relied on their spiritual leadership, acted solely to give the illusion of adhering to the law. Their primary focus lay on the external and visible signs of piety, which they sought to amplify. Even to this day, the Jews practice the custom of donning tefillin, which is rooted in a literal interpretation of the directives from Moses (Ex. 13:9; Deut. 6:8; 11:18). These are leather containers holding passages from the law, traditionally affixed to the forehead and wrapped around the left arm during prayer. The scriptural law of Moses also mandates the wearing of fringes, consisting of four tassels embellished with blue threads (Num. 15:38-40; Deut. 22:12): these tassels are sewn onto the corners of the prayer shawl. Such items, whether ordained by law or adopted through tradition to serve as reminders of God's commandments, were manipulated by ancient pretenders into instruments of arrogance, as they proudly showcased exaggerated tefillin and extended fringes to the public."}]}
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