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 Lorsque vous priez, ne soyez pas comme les hypocrites, qui aiment à prier debout dans les synagogues et aux coins des rues, pour être vus des hommes. Je vous le dis en vérité, ils ont leur récompense.