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:That is their primary reward. They have achieved their whole end, that is their goal. No further reward remains to them. The additional praise they expect as a result of being seen may not always follow (''not all Jews admired them, because of their reputation for pride, and their arrogant contempt for the common people who did not know every detail of the [[Torah]]'' John 7:49), but they have what they desired, to be seen by an audience (1 Timothy 6:3-10). The interpretation of Jesus of the real meaning of genuinely good works as the works of evildoers in Matthew 7:21-23 is clearly explained, "''I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.''" Those who prophesy in Jesus' name, cast out demons in his name, and do many mighty works in his name, "to be seen by men", are not doing these good things for the glory of God, or from a motive of compassion, but for their own reputation and glorification. Their hearts are not right with Him ([https://biblehub.com/john/5-42.htm John 5:42] and [https://biblehub.com/acts/8-21.htm Acts 8:21]). They are not in fact actually "'''DO'''-ing the will of my Father who is in heaven", but their own will. Whatever real good they do is incidental to their true purpose, to serve their real ends. (see Matthew 25:34-46; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Sirach+14%3A7&version=NRSVCE Sirach 14:7].) Compare [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/1_timothy/5-24.htm 1 Timothy 5:24-25] and [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/revelation/22-11.htm Revelation 22:11]"''let them continue''" in light of Matthew 15:13-14 "''leave them alone''"; also [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+13%3A24-30&version=RSVCE Matthew 13:24-30] ''and'' [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+4%3A5&version=RSVCE 1 Corinthians 4:5]; [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+14%3A10-12&version=RSVCE Romans 14:10-12].

:In light of Matthew 23:15, 33 and Luke 11:39-52, many instead interpret this the phrase, "''they have their reward''", as a warning of future judgment, "''they will have the'' [evil] ''fruit of their labors''", "''they will get what's coming to them''" or "''they will be punished for their hypocrisy''". But while this is undeniably and fundamentally true on the final day of judgment for unrepentant religious hypocrites, that is not the immediate lesson Jesus is teaching here. The hypocrites already have what they wanted: to be seen. He urges his disciples, his listeners, to not deprive themselves of the true blessing of God, to honestly from their hearts glorify God by their [[corporal and spiritual works of mercy]] sincerely done in his name, with compassionate love for God and man (Mark 12:29-34), so that God Himself, pleased with them for their sincerity of heart in seeking to be like Him as faithful sons and daughters (Matthew 6:48), will openly reward them for their obedient fear and love of Him in their delighting to do good to those in need, those in pain and despair who wish to know by example the truth of God's goodness toward all mankind, by "'''''good works'''''" ([https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5%3A14-16&version=KJV Matthew 5:14-16] ''contrast'' [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A1-18&version=KJV Matthew 6:1-18]; see [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A10&version=KJV Ephesians 2:10]).