Matthew 23:4-6
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
4 And they bind-up heavy and hard-to-bear burdens[a] and lay them on the shoulders of people. But they are not willing to move[b] them with their finger. 5 And they do all their works so-as to be seen by people. For they widen their phylacteries[c] and lengthen their tassels[d]. 6 And they love the place-of-honor[e] at the banquets, and the seats-of-honor[f] in the synagogues,
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Matthew 23:4 Jesus is referring to their traditions, their man-made rules of conduct.
- Matthew 23:4 That is, to help those carrying them; or, to carry them themselves.
- Matthew 23:5 That is, the small leather boxes worn on the forehead and arm, containing Ex 13:1-10, 11-16; Deut 6:4-9; 11:13-21. This symbolized guarding oneself to keep the commandments, in literal obedience to Ex 13:9, 16; Deut 6:8; 11:18. But the Pharisees made them bigger for show.
- Matthew 23:5 That is, the tassels the Jews wore on the four corners of their garments in obedience to Num 15:38-41. Jesus Himself wore them, Mt 9:20; 14:36. But they lengthened them for show.
- Matthew 23:6 Lit, the first reclining place (they reclined to eat); the foremost place to eat.
- Matthew 23:6 Lit, first seats, foremost seats.
Matthew 23:4-6
New International Version
4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.(A)
5 “Everything they do is done for people to see:(B) They make their phylacteries[a](C) wide and the tassels on their garments(D) long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues;(E)
Footnotes
- Matthew 23:5 That is, boxes containing Scripture verses, worn on forehead and arm
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing
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