Matthew 23:5
“But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad, enlarge the fringes of their garments,”
What does Matthew 23:5 mean?
Jesus is calling out religious leaders who care more about looking righteous than actually being righteous. The phylacteries and fringed garments he mentions were genuine religious items with real purpose, but these leaders were making them extra visible and oversized to impress people watching them. It's a gentle but firm reminder that spiritual practices lose their meaning when we're performing them for an audience. Whether it's prayer, generosity, or devotion, the moment we're doing it so others will think well of us, we've missed the whole point. What matters is what's true in your heart, not what anyone else thinks they see.