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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 23:4 They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/23-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/40_Mat_23_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 23:4 - Woes to Scribes and Pharisees" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. <a href="/kjv/matthew/23.htm">King James Bible</a> For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/23.htm">New King James Version</a> For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And they tie up heavy burdens and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as their finger. <a href="/nasb/matthew/23.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men&#8217s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “And they tie up heavy loads, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. <a href="/lsb/matthew/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And they tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. <a href="/amp/matthew/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a> The scribes and Pharisees tie up heavy loads [that are hard to bear] and place them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves will not lift a finger [to make them lighter]. <a href="/csb/matthew/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> They tie up heavy loads that are hard to carry and put them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves aren’t willing to lift a finger to move them. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> They tie up heavy loads that are hard to carry and put them on people&#8217s shoulders, but they themselves aren&#8217t willing to lift a finger to move them. <a href="/asv/matthew/23.htm">American Standard Version</a> Yea, they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger. <a href="/cev/matthew/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> They pile heavy burdens on people's shoulders and won't lift a finger to help. <a href="/erv/matthew/23.htm">English Revised Version</a> Yea, they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger. <a href="/gwt/matthew/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> They make loads that are hard to carry and lay them on the shoulders of the people. However, they are not willing to lift a finger to move them. <a href="/gnt/matthew/23.htm">Good News Translation</a> They tie onto people's backs loads that are heavy and hard to carry, yet they aren't willing even to lift a finger to help them carry those loads. <a href="/isv/matthew/23.htm">International Standard Version</a> They tie up burdens that are heavy and unbearable and lay them on people's shoulders, but they refuse to lift a finger to remove them. <a href="/msb/matthew/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men?s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. <a href="/net/matthew/23.htm">NET Bible</a> They tie up heavy loads, hard to carry, and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing even to lift a finger to move them. <a href="/nheb/matthew/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them. <a href="/wbt/matthew/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For they bind heavy burdens, and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. <a href="/wey/matthew/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Heavy and cumbrous burdens they bind together and load men's shoulders with them, while as for themselves, not with one finger do they choose to lift them. <a href="/web/matthew/23.htm">World English Bible</a> For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> for they bind together burdens [too] heavy and grievous to bear, and lay [them] on the shoulders of men, but with their finger they will not move them. <a href="/blb/matthew/23.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And they tie up burdens heavy and hard to bear and lay them on the shoulders of men; but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. <a href="/ylt/matthew/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> for they bind together burdens heavy and grievous to be borne, and lay upon the shoulders of men, but with their finger they will not move them. <a href="/slt/matthew/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For they bind loads heavy and difficult to carry, and put upon men's shoulders; and with their fingers will they not move them.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For they bind heavy and insupportable burdens, and lay them on men's shoulders; but with a finger of their own they will not move them. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For they bind up heavy and unbearable burdens, and they impose them on men’s shoulders. But they are not willing to move them with even a finger of their own. <a href="/nabre/matthew/23.htm">New American Bible</a> They tie up heavy burdens [hard to carry] and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And they bind heavy burdens, and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to touch them, even with their finger. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/23.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And they bind heavy burdens and place them on the shoulders of men, but they are not willing to touch them with their fingers.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/23.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> For they bind up burdens that are heavy and hard to be borne, and lay them on the shoulders of men; but they refuse to move them with one of their fingers. <a href="/godbey/matthew/23.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>But they bind heavy burdens, and place them on the shoulders of the people; and they themselves are not willing to touch them with their finger.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/23.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> For they bind burdens grievous, and difficultly borne, and lay them on men?s shoulders; but they will not move them with a finger of their own. <a href="/mace/matthew/23.htm">Mace New Testament</a> for they load men with intolerable impositions, and will not take the least pains to ease them of the burthen: they do nothing but out of ostentation, <a href="/wey/matthew/23.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Heavy and cumbrous burdens they bind together and load men's shoulders with them, while as for themselves, not with one finger do they choose to lift them. <a href="/worrell/matthew/23.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>And they bind heavy burdens, and lay them upon the shoulders of men; but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/23.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>for they bind grievous and intolerable burthens, and impose them upon men; but they <Fr>themselves<FR> will not put a finger to them:<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/23-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=6714" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/23.htm">Woes to Scribes and Pharisees</a> …3So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/1195.htm" title="1195: desmeuousin (V-PIA-3P) -- To bind, put in chains, tie together. From a derivative of desmeo; to be a binder, i.e. To enchain, to tie on.">They tie up</a> <a href="/greek/926.htm" title="926: barea (Adj-ANP) -- Heavy, weighty, burdensome, lit. and met; violent, oppressive. From the same as baros; weighty, i.e. burdensome, grave.">heavy,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/1419.htm" title="1419: dysbastakta (Adj-ANP) -- Difficult to carry, oppressive. From dus- and a derivative of bastazo; oppressive.">burdensome</a> <a href="/greek/5413.htm" title="5413: phortia (N-ANP) -- A burden; the freight of a ship. Diminutive of phortos; an invoice, i.e. a task or service.">loads</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2007.htm" title="2007: epititheasin (V-PIA-3P) -- To put, place upon, lay on; I add, give in addition. From epi and tithemi; to impose.">lay them</a> <a href="/greek/1909.htm" title="1909: epi (Prep) -- On, to, against, on the basis of, at. ">on</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpōn (N-GMP) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">men’s</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5606.htm" title="5606: ōmous (N-AMP) -- The shoulder. Perhaps from the alternate of phero; the shoulder.">shoulders,</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">but</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autoi (PPro-NM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">they themselves</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/2309.htm" title="2309: thelousin (V-PIA-3P) -- To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. ">are not willing</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/1147.htm" title="1147: daktylō (N-DMS) -- A finger. Probably from deka; a finger.">to lift a finger</a> <a href="/greek/2795.htm" title="2795: kinēsai (V-ANA) -- To set in motion, move, remove, excite, stir up. From kio; to stir, literally or figuratively.">to move</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auta (PPro-AN3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">them. </a> 5All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/acts/15-10.htm">Acts 15:10</a> Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? <a href="/luke/11-46.htm">Luke 11:46</a> “Woe to you as well, experts in the law!” He replied. “For you weigh men down with heavy burdens, but you yourselves will not lift a finger to lighten their load. <a href="/galatians/6-13.htm">Galatians 6:13</a> For the circumcised do not even keep the law themselves, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. <a href="/galatians/5-1.htm">Galatians 5:1</a> It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery. <a href="/romans/2-17.htm">Romans 2:17-24</a> Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; / if you know His will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; / if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those in darkness, ... <a href="/1_peter/5-3.htm">1 Peter 5:3</a> not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. <a href="/james/2-10.htm">James 2:10</a> Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. <a href="/galatians/6-12.htm">Galatians 6:12</a> Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ. <a href="/romans/10-3.htm">Romans 10:3</a> Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. <a href="/isaiah/10-1.htm">Isaiah 10:1-2</a> Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, / to deprive the poor of fair treatment and withhold justice from the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and orphans their plunder. <a href="/ezekiel/34-4.htm">Ezekiel 34:4</a> You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty. <a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a> He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? <a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">Isaiah 29:13</a> Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men. <a href="/jeremiah/23-2.htm">Jeremiah 23:2</a> Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your deeds, declares the LORD. <a href="/isaiah/58-6.htm">Isaiah 58:6</a> Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke?</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.<a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23</a> Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.<a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Matthew 11:28-30</a> Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest… <a href="/luke/11-46.htm">Luke 11:46</a> And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/22-13.htm">Bind</a> <a href="/matthew/20-12.htm">Borne</a> <a href="/amos/5-11.htm">Burdens</a> <a href="/matthew/20-15.htm">Choose</a> <a href="/isaiah/58-9.htm">Finger</a> <a href="/matthew/20-34.htm">Fingers</a> <a href="/matthew/22-46.htm">Great</a> <a href="/nahum/3-19.htm">Grievous</a> <a href="/matthew/20-12.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/matthew/18-6.htm">Heavy</a> <a href="/matthew/15-25.htm">Help</a> <a href="/matthew/21-46.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-13.htm">Loads</a> <a href="/matthew/17-20.htm">Move</a> <a href="/ezekiel/29-7.htm">Shoulders</a> <a href="/matthew/23-3.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/matthew/13-30.htm">Tie</a> <a href="/matthew/22-41.htm">Together</a> <a href="/matthew/22-3.htm">Unwilling</a> <a href="/micah/6-11.htm">Weights</a> <a href="/matthew/22-3.htm">Willing</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/3-27.htm">Bind</a> <a href="/mark/2-3.htm">Borne</a> <a href="/luke/11-46.htm">Burdens</a> <a href="/mark/13-20.htm">Choose</a> <a href="/mark/7-33.htm">Finger</a> <a href="/matthew/26-23.htm">Fingers</a> <a href="/matthew/24-12.htm">Great</a> <a href="/luke/11-46.htm">Grievous</a> <a href="/matthew/24-19.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/matthew/25-5.htm">Heavy</a> <a href="/matthew/25-44.htm">Help</a> <a href="/matthew/26-7.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/numbers/4-31.htm">Loads</a> <a href="/mark/15-11.htm">Move</a> <a href="/luke/15-5.htm">Shoulders</a> <a href="/matthew/25-3.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/luke/12-37.htm">Tie</a> <a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Together</a> <a href="/matthew/27-34.htm">Unwilling</a> <a href="/genesis/23-16.htm">Weights</a> <a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Willing</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 23</div>1. <a href="/matthew/23-1.htm">Jesus admonishes the people to follow good doctrine, not bad examples</a> 5. <a href="/matthew/23-5.htm">His disciples must beware of their ambition.</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">He denounces eight woes against their hypocrisy and blindness,</a> 34. <a href="/matthew/23-34.htm">and prophesies of the destruction of Jerusalem.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>They tie up heavy, burdensome loads This phrase refers to the religious leaders of Jesus' time, particularly the Pharisees and scribes, who imposed strict interpretations of the Mosaic Law and additional oral traditions on the people. These "loads" symbolize the numerous rules and regulations that were difficult to follow, creating a spiritual burden. In the context of first-century Judaism, the Law was central to religious life, but the added traditions made it cumbersome. This reflects the broader biblical theme of legalism versus grace, as seen in passages like <a href="/galatians/5.htm">Galatians 5:1</a>, where Paul speaks of freedom in Christ.and lay them on men’s shoulders The imagery of laying burdens on shoulders suggests an oppressive weight, highlighting the leaders' lack of compassion. In ancient times, physical burdens were often carried on the shoulders, making this a vivid metaphor for spiritual and moral obligations. This practice contrasts with Jesus' invitation in <a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Matthew 11:28-30</a>, where He offers rest and an easy yoke, emphasizing His role as the compassionate shepherd who guides rather than oppresses.but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them This critique underscores the hypocrisy of the religious leaders, who did not practice what they preached. They were more concerned with appearances and maintaining authority than with genuine spiritual leadership. This behavior is reminiscent of <a href="/ezekiel/34.htm">Ezekiel 34</a>, where the shepherds of Israel are condemned for neglecting their flock. Jesus, in contrast, exemplifies the true servant-leader, as seen in <a href="/john/13-14.htm">John 13:14-15</a>, where He washes the disciples' feet, demonstrating humility and service.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, addressing the crowds and His disciples about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and teachers of the law. 2. <a href="/topical/p/pharisees.htm">Pharisees</a> A religious group in Judaism known for strict adherence to the law and traditions, often criticized by Jesus for their hypocrisy and legalism. 3. <a href="/topical/t/teachers_of_the_law.htm">Teachers of the Law (Scribes)</a> Experts in the Mosaic Law who were responsible for teaching and interpreting the law to the people, often associated with the Pharisees. 4. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The city where Jesus delivered this discourse, a central place for Jewish religious life and the location of the Temple. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_crowd_and_disciples.htm">The Crowd and Disciples</a> The audience to whom Jesus was speaking, including His followers and the general public who were listening to His teachings.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/h/hypocrisy_in_leadership.htm">Hypocrisy in Leadership</a> Leaders should practice what they preach. Jesus condemns the Pharisees for imposing burdens they themselves are unwilling to bear, highlighting the importance of integrity and authenticity in leadership. <a href="/topical/t/the_burden_of_legalism.htm">The Burden of Legalism</a> Legalism places heavy burdens on people, focusing on rules rather than relationship. Jesus calls us to a life of grace and freedom, not one of oppressive legalistic demands. <a href="/topical/c/compassion_and_support.htm">Compassion and Support</a> As followers of Christ, we are called to help others with their burdens, not add to them. This involves practical acts of love and support, reflecting the heart of Jesus. <a href="/topical/s/self-examination.htm">Self-Examination</a> Believers should examine their own lives for areas of hypocrisy or legalism, seeking to align their actions with the teachings of Christ. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_grace.htm">The Role of Grace</a> Emphasize the importance of grace in the Christian life, understanding that our relationship with God is based on His grace, not our ability to follow rules perfectly.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 23</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'coram_deo'_mean.htm">What does 'Leaven of the Pharisees' mean?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_being_a_child_of_hell.htm">What defines being a child of hell?</a> <a href="/q/what's_moses'_seat's_significance.htm">What is the significance of Moses' Seat?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_the_old_catholic_church.htm">Are you avoiding the behavior of hypocrites?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) Heavy burdens.--The thought was involved in our Lord's call to the "heavy laden," in the words that spoke of His own "burden" as "light" (<a href="/matthew/11-28.htm" title="Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.">Matthew 11:28</a>; <a href="/matthew/11-30.htm" title="For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.">Matthew 11:30</a>). Here it finds distinct expression. That it appealed to the witness which men's hearts were bearing, secretly or openly, we see from St. Peter's confession in <a href="/acts/15-10.htm" title="Now therefore why tempt you God, to put a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?">Acts 15:10</a>.They themselves will not move . . .--The rigorous precepts, the high-flown morality were for others, not themselves. Professing to guide, they neither helped nor sympathised with the troubles of those they taught. (Comp. <a href="/context/romans/2-17.htm" title="Behold, you are called a Jew, and rest in the law, and make your boast of God,">Romans 2:17-23</a>.)<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - Bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne; δυσβάστακτα: importabilia (Vulgate). The last epithet, which is very uncommon (<a href="/luke/11-46.htm">Luke 11:46</a>), is omitted by some manuscripts and versions, but it is probably genuine here. The burdens are the minute regulations and prescriptions, the vexatious restrictions, the innumerable traditional observances with which these teachers had garbled and defaced the written Law. We have noticed some of these glosses in the matter of the sabbath and ceremonial purification; and these are only specimens of a system which extended to every relation of life, and to all details of religious practice, binding one rule to another, enforcing useless and absurd minutiae, till the burden became insupportable. Alford considers that not human traditions and observances are signified by the "burdens," but the severity of the Law, the weighty duties inculcated therein, which they enforce on others, but do not observe. It may, however, well be doubted whether Christ would ever have termed the legitimate rites and ceremonies of the Law unbearable burdens, though their rigorous enforcement by men who regarded only the letter, while they had lost the spirit, would naturally deserve censure. (If the epithet is not genuine, of course this remark does not apply.) What Christ denounced was not the Law itself, however severe and grievous to human nature, or even immemorial tradition, but the false inferences and deductions therefrom, leading to injunctions insupportable and impracticable. Will not move them with one of their fingers; with their finger. This does not imply (and it would not be true) that the rabbis themselves were all hypocrites, and broke or evaded the Law with impunity. We know that they scrupulously attended to all outward observances. What is meant is that they take no trouble to lighten (κινῆσαι, "to move away"), to make these burdens easier by explanation or relaxation, or to proportion them to the strength of the disciple. They impose them with all their crushing weight and severity upon others, and uncompromisingly demand obedience to these unscriptural regulations, putting "a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear" (<a href="/acts/15-10.htm">Acts 15:10</a>; <a href="/galatians/5-1.htm">Galatians 5:1</a>). Contrast with this the Christian's service: "My yoke is easy," says Christ, "and my burden is light" (ch. 11:33). <a href="/commentaries/matthew/23-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>They tie up δεσμεύουσιν (desmeuousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1195.htm">Strong's 1195: </a> To bind, put in chains, tie together. From a derivative of desmeo; to be a binder, i.e. To enchain, to tie on. heavy, βαρέα (barea) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_926.htm">Strong's 926: </a> Heavy, weighty, burdensome, lit. and met; violent, oppressive. From the same as baros; weighty, i.e. burdensome, grave. burdensome δυσβάστακτα (dysbastakta) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1419.htm">Strong's 1419: </a> Difficult to carry, oppressive. From dus- and a derivative of bastazo; oppressive. loads φορτία (phortia) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5413.htm">Strong's 5413: </a> A burden; the freight of a ship. Diminutive of phortos; an invoice, i.e. a task or service. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. lay [them] ἐπιτιθέασιν (epititheasin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2007.htm">Strong's 2007: </a> To put, place upon, lay on; I add, give in addition. From epi and tithemi; to impose. on ἐπὶ (epi) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1909.htm">Strong's 1909: </a> On, to, against, on the basis of, at. men’s ἀνθρώπων (anthrōpōn) Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. shoulders, ὤμους (ōmous) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5606.htm">Strong's 5606: </a> The shoulder. Perhaps from the alternate of phero; the shoulder. but δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. they themselves αὐτοὶ (autoi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. are not willing θέλουσιν (thelousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2309.htm">Strong's 2309: </a> To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. to lift a finger δακτύλῳ (daktylō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1147.htm">Strong's 1147: </a> A finger. Probably from deka; a finger. to move κινῆσαι (kinēsai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_2795.htm">Strong's 2795: </a> To set in motion, move, remove, excite, stir up. From kio; to stir, literally or figuratively. them. αὐτά (auta) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Neuter 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/23-4.htm">Matthew 23:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/23-4.htm">Matthew 23:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/23-4.htm">Matthew 23:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/23-4.htm">Matthew 23:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/23-4.htm">Matthew 23:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/23-4.htm">Matthew 23:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/23-4.htm">Matthew 23:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/23-4.htm">Matthew 23:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/23-4.htm">Matthew 23:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/23-4.htm">Matthew 23:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/23-4.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens that (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/23-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 23:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 23:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/23-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 23:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 23:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>