Devine Scripture

Matthew 23:6

What does Matthew 23:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 23:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 23:6 means

The scribes and Pharisees demonstrate their love for preeminence through their desire for the most honorable seats at banquets and in the synagogues. These positions symbolized social and religious status within their community. Their pursuit of these prominent places reveals their preoccupation with outward appearance and worldly esteem rather than humble service or genuine devotion. This behavior underscores their pride and exposes the selfish motivations behind their religious practices.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and love the chief place at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and love the chief place at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the things desired by them are the first places at feasts, and the chief seats in the Synagogues,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

they love also the chief couches in the supper, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they love the first places at feasts and the first chairs in the synagogues,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and love the chief place in feasts and the first seats in the synagogues,

Context

Building on the theme of their desire for human recognition, this verse provides further evidence of their pursuit of visible honor. It moves from specific religious items (phylacteries, borders) to social settings (feasts, synagogues) where they actively seek positions of status. This reinforces the idea that their actions are driven by pride and a hunger for public approval, which then naturally extends to how they wish to be addressed in the marketplace in the following verse.

v.5But all their works they do to be seen of men: for they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

v.6This passage

v.7and the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called of men, Rabbi.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • James 2:1

    My brethren, hold not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lordof glory, with respect of persons.

  • Romans 12:10

    In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another;

  • Luke 11:43

    Woe unto you Pharisees! for ye love the chief seats in the synagogues, and the salutations in the marketplaces.

  • Luke 14:7

    And he spake a parable unto those that were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief seats; saying unto them,

  • Luke 20:46

    Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and love salutations in the marketplaces, and chief seats in the synagogues, and chief places at feasts;

  • Mark 12:38

    And in his teaching he said, Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, andto have salutations in the marketplaces,

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