Warnings to the People and the Disciples.
Matthew 23:2 f. Loisy regards this as an interpolation (by a Judaising redactor) out of harmony with the attack that follows. Holtzmann thinks it is Mt.'s, breathing special respect for the Law, like Matthew 5:17 ff., but irreconcilable with Matthew 15:3-14. But, as Pfleiderer puts it, we must admit that in the attitude of Jesus towards the Mosaic Law different expressions which cannot be reconciled stand side by side, the most natural explanation of which may be found in a change of mood. Cf. p. 667. sit: lit. sat. Plummer suggests that at the end of the verse we should supply when they taught you to observe the Law.
Matthew 23:4. By minute ordinances (e.g. rules for Sabbath keeping) they make life a burden for others, but give no help towards removing them or making them more tolerable.
Matthew 23:5. phylacteries (lit. amulets, the Gk. translation of Heb. tephillin, lit. prayers), small square leather cases strapped on the forehead and the left arm (Deuteronomy 6:8 *). Each contained four passages from the Law (Exodus 13:1-16; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Deuteronomy 11:13-21), written on four strips and one strip of parchment respectively. borders the tassels of plaited or twisted threads on the four corners of the simlah or Jewish shawl-like upper garment. Matthew 23:8-12 seems specially addressed to the disciples. With Matthew 23:11 f. cf. Mark 9:35; Mark 10:44, Matthew 20:26.