Prayer would be expected in the synagogue and different men would be asked to lead the prayers. There was a big temptation for those doing so to speak in such a way to get people saying that their prayer was particularly good. Instead of serving God’s people with a prayer that is simple, prayers would be lengthy and a showing off of Bible knowledge to impress those in the audience.
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.