Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 23:5-7

"But all their works they do to be seen of men: for they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders [of their garments], and love the chief place at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called of men, Rabbi." — Matthew 23:5-7 (ASV)

This was the fatal flaw in their character: But all their works they do for to be seen of men. So long as they stood well in the sight of other people, they cared little or nothing how they appeared to the eye of God. They were very particular about the literal observance of certain Mosaic commands, although they completely missed their spiritual meaning: They make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments. Four passages from the Law—Exodus 3:3–10, 3:11-16; Deuteronomy 6:4–9, 11:13-21—were written on strips of parchment and worn on the forehead and the hand or arm as amulets or charms.

The scribes and Pharisees made these especially prominent, yet all the while the Word of the Lord was not hidden in their hearts, nor obeyed in their lives. The Lord commanded the children of Israel to make fringes in the borders of their garments and upon the fringe a ribbon or thread of blue, that they might look upon it and remember all the commandments of the Lord and do them (Numbers 15:38–39). These ritualists of our Savior's day were very scrupulous about having deep fringes or large tassels on their garments, but they did not remember the commandments of the Lord to do them. Many keep the laws of God outwardly, but violate them in the heart. From such deceit may the Spirit of truth preserve us!

Jesus next put together four things that the scribes and Pharisees loved: the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. Whether they met with their fellow men for feasting, for worship, for business, or for instruction, they loved to be first and foremost. This is a common sin and one into which we may easily fall. Our Lord felt it necessary to warn even His disciples against that evil, for His next words were evidently spoken especially to them.