Matthew 23:3-5
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
3 Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. 4 (A)They tie up heavy burdens[a] [hard to carry] and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. 5 [b](B)All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
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- 23:4 Tie up heavy burdens: see note on Mt 11:28.
- 23:5 To the charge of preaching but not practicing (Mt 23:3), Jesus adds that of acting in order to earn praise. The disciples have already been warned against this same fault (see note on Mt 6:1–18). Phylacteries: the Mosaic law required that during prayer small boxes containing parchments on which verses of scripture were written be worn on the left forearm and the forehead (see Ex 13:9, 16; Dt 6:8; 11:18). Tassels: see note on Mt 9:20. The widening of phylacteries and the lengthening of tassels were for the purpose of making these evidences of piety more noticeable.
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