To Be Seen: Infinitive Purpose and Public Display in Matthew 23:5

πάντα δὲ τὰ ἔργα αὐτῶν ποιοῦσι πρὸς τὸ θεαθῆναι τοῖς ἀνθρώποις, πλατύνουσι γὰρ τὰ φυλακτήρια αὐτῶν καὶ μεγαλύνουσι τὰ κράσπεδα τῶν ἰματίων αὐτῶν, (Matthew 23:5)


Doing Religion to Be Watched

Matthew 23:5 comes from Jesus’ rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees for their performative religiosity. The verse is a grammatical snapshot of ostentatious piety: they do works not for God, but πρὸς τὸ θεαθῆναι τοῖς ἀνθρώποις — “to be seen by men.”

Jesus exposes their inner motives through Greek constructions, including:

– A purpose clause with the articular infinitive
Present active verbs expressing habitual, ongoing action
– A revealing use of the accusative neuter plural to show totality
– Object elaboration through accusative noun phrases with possessive pronouns

Let’s examine the grammar through a detailed table.


Grammatical Analysis Table

Greek Phrase Form & Morphology Function Meaning
πάντα δὲ τὰ ἔργα αὐτῶν Accusative neuter plural with adjective “all” + possessive pronoun Direct object of ποιοῦσι “But all their works” — emphasizes totality of their actions
ποιοῦσι Present active indicative, 3rd person plural
from ποιέω
Main verb “they do” — continuous present action
πρὸς τὸ θεαθῆναι τοῖς ἀνθρώποις Preposition + article + aorist passive infinitive + dative plural Articular infinitive of purpose “in order to be seen by men” — reveals motive
πλατύνουσι τὰ φυλακτήρια αὐτῶν Present active indicative + accusative plural noun + possessive Specific action #1 “they broaden their phylacteries” — exaggerating religious symbols
μεγαλύνουσι τὰ κράσπεδα τῶν ἰματίων αὐτῶν Present active indicative + accusative object + genitive of possession Specific action #2 “they enlarge the tassels of their garments” — emphasis on public show

Syntax of Showmanship

– The structure πρὸς τὸ + infinitive is a classic purpose clause in Greek. It signals intentionality, not accident.
– The verbs πλατύνουσι (“broaden”) and μεγαλύνουσι (“enlarge”) are present active, indicating these actions are ongoing practices, not one-time mistakes.
– The accusative neuter plural πάντα τὰ ἔργα frames the entire sentence: this is a habitual pattern of life, not an isolated event.
– The genitive τῶν ἰματίων αὐτῶν (“of their garments”) marks ownership, reinforcing that these are deliberate self-displays.


When Infinitives Reveal Intent

This verse teaches that not all good works are good — when done πρὸς τὸ θεαθῆναι, even religious acts become self-glorifying. The grammar exposes the heart:

– What they do (ποιοῦσι) is religious.
– Why they do it (πρὸς τὸ θεαθῆναι) is pride.
– How they do it (πλατύνουσι… μεγαλύνουσι) is exaggerated.

Greek makes it plain: this is not about the presence of piety, but the motive behind it. And in that motive, even the grammar calls them to repentance.

About Greek Insights

Applying Biblical Truth through Greek Understanding. Learning Greek for New Testament exegesis is essential for uncovering the depth and precision of the biblical text. The original Greek language of the New Testament carries nuances, grammatical structures, and wordplays that are often lost or flattened in translation. By engaging directly with the Greek, interpreters gain access to richer theological insights, more accurate contextual understanding, and a clearer grasp of the author’s intent. This linguistic foundation empowers students and teachers of Scripture to apply biblical truth with greater fidelity and depth, bridging the ancient text with contemporary life. In this way, Greek is not merely an academic tool but a vital means of faithfully discerning and communicating the message of the New Testament.
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