What Does Matthew 23:5 Mean in the King James?
But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The visible signs meant to keep devotion close become larger so the human gaze will catch them.
THE MEANING
The verse exposes how religious practice can be shaped for an audience: its visible signs grow so other people will notice. A reminder worn close to the body becomes part of the public surface, and the verse makes the gaze behind that expansion visible.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The lie is that making devotion more visible makes it more real.
THE ROOT
θεαθῆναι
theathēnai
GROWS FROM
θεάομαι
theaomai
to look at, behold
“seen” in this verse is theathēnai. The verb points to being looked at, with people as the intended viewers. Its word family includes the spectator and the theater: religious practice can become a scene arranged for an audience.
ALSO GROWS
theatēs: spectator, one who watches
θεατής
The word makes the human gaze in the verse concrete: people are positioned as viewers.
theatron: theater, a place for viewing
θέατρον
This related word echoes the verse’s image of visible religious practice becoming a public display.
φυλακτήρια
phylaktēria
GROWS FROM
φυλάσσω
phylassō
to guard, keep watch over
The word carries the idea of guarding or keeping, beneath the visible object worn as a reminder. As the phylacteries grow broader, the verse reveals a tension between keeping instruction close and making its sign conspicuous.
ALSO GROWS
phylassō: guard, keep watch over
φυλάσσω
This verb holds the guarding sense beneath the phylacteries’ name.
phylax: guard, watchman
φύλαξ
The related noun names one who keeps watch, echoing the guarding idea carried by the object.
THE PATTERN
When human approval becomes the audience, outward religious practice is shaped into display.
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.Take 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.And what soever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;THE THREAD
Take 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.Matthew 6:1 repeats the same Greek verb for being seen by people, now in connection with almsgiving. The shared word shows that the issue is not one religious object but the human gaze becoming the audience for visible devotion.
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