Matthew 23:6

τὴν πρωτοκλισίαν. The most honourable place at the triclinium. It was at this period the Jewish custom for men to recline at meals in Roman fashion on couches (triclinia), each containing three seats, and each seat having its special dignity. See Becker’s Gallus Excursus 2., Hor. Sat. II. 8.

τὰς πρωτοκαθεδρίας. ‘The chief seats;’ the same word is translated ‘uppermost seats’ (Luke 11:43), and ‘highest seats’ (Luke 20:46). They were seats or ‘stalls’ placed in the highest part of the synagogue in front of the ark containing the roll of the law, and opposite to the entrance. The Elders sat facing the people, a fact which gives force to πρὸς τὸ θεαθῆναι τοῖς�. See Dr Ginsburg’s Art. in Bib. Educator, Vol. II. pp. 263, 264. The poor had no seats in the synagogue. From James 2:1 foll. we learn that the same evil distinction soon invaded the Christian Church: Σὺ κάθου ὧδε καλῶς, καὶ τῷ πτωχῷ εἴπητε· Σὺ στῆθι ἐκεῖ, ἢ κάθου ὑπὸ τὸ ὑποπόδιόν μου. James 2:3.