Matthew 23:1-12

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Portions of this account also appear in Mark 12:38-40 and Luke 20:45-47.

This was Christ’s last public discourse.

Moses’ seat - the seat of authority, custodians of the Scriptures. Some commentaries think that Christ was saying that the Pharisees "sat themselves" in the seat of authority. Either way, the people were to listen to and obey them as far as, and only as far as, the teaching of the actual law was concerned.

"I.e., act as teachers of the law" (Ryrie)

phylacteries broad - "an amulet consisting of a strip of parchment on which was inscribed certain portions of the Pentateuch and which was rolled and placed in a small metal cylinder inside a square leather case. The cases were attached by the Jews with straps to their foreheads and to the back of their right hands, following a strictly literal interpretation of Deuteronomy 6:8-9. They were normally worn only during prayer, but the Pharisees appear to have worn them always and to have made them especially conspicuous. The borders of the garments were the fringes worn in obedience to Numbers 15:38-39." (KJV Commentary)

"Phylacteries were square leather boxes containing four strips of parchment on which were written Deut 11:13-21 and 6:4-9, and Ex 13:11-16 and 13:1-10.  During prayer one was worn on the forehead between the eyebrows and another on the left arm close to the elbow.  They were held in place by leather bands, which the Pharisees made broad to attract more attention to themselves.  The custom was based on Ex 13:9, 16; Deut 6:8; 11:18, though phylacteries had only begun to be used by the ultrapious in Christ's day.  Christ criticizes not the custom itself but the wrong spirit that corrupted it." (Ryrie)

fringes long - "A hem or fringe on a garment was placed there in accordance with Num 15:38, but the Pharisees made their unnecessarily wide." (Ryrie)

Rabbi = my teacher

"His disciples were not to seek to be called rabbi and were forbidden to use the word 'father' indiscriminately, even though Paul used 'father' correctly in 1 Corinthians 4:15, and John addressed fathers in 1 John 2:13-14. The general teaching is clear. They were not to seek man-exalting titles such as rabbi, father, or minister to gain the recognition of men. Disciples of Christ should not exalt themselves but should seek to serve others and leave the exalting to God Himself." (Walvoord)

"Do not seek prominence of position (v 6) or titles.  Be a humble servant (vv 11-12)." (Ryrie)