Matthew 23:4

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.

For {G1063} they bind {G1195} heavy {G926} burdens {G5413} and {G2532} grievous to be borne {G1419}, and {G2532} lay {G2007} them on {G1909} men's {G444} shoulders {G5606}; but {G1161} they themselves will {G2309} not {G3756} move {G2795} them {G846} with one of their {G846} fingers {G1147}.

They tie heavy loads onto people's shoulders but won't lift a finger to help carry them

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.

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.

Commentary

In Matthew 23:4, Jesus delivers a scathing critique of the religious leaders of His time, specifically the scribes and Pharisees. This verse highlights their hypocrisy in demanding strict adherence to rules and traditions from others, while they themselves refuse to offer any practical help or support.

Context

This verse is part of Jesus' final public discourse in Jerusalem, often referred to as the "Seven Woes" against the scribes and Pharisees. In this chapter, Jesus exposes the deep-seated hypocrisy and spiritual blindness of these prominent religious figures. They were the authoritative interpreters of the Mosaic Law and the oral traditions that had developed over centuries. The "heavy burdens" Jesus speaks of are not the divinely given Law itself, which is holy and good, but rather the numerous extra-biblical rules, regulations, and interpretations that the Pharisees had added. These man-made traditions often became oppressive and obscured the true spirit of God's commandments, creating an unbearable legalistic system for the common people.

Key Themes

  • Hypocrisy: The central theme is the glaring contradiction between what the religious leaders preached and how they lived. They imposed rigorous standards on others but exempted themselves from the same demands. This is a timeless warning against leadership that lacks integrity.
  • Legalism vs. Grace: This verse starkly contrasts the burdensome nature of human-made legalism with the freedom and grace offered by God. The Pharisees' system was one of earning righteousness through meticulous observance of rules, which ultimately crushed the spirit. Jesus, by contrast, invites those who are weary and burdened to find rest in Him, promising that His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
  • Burdensome Leadership: The passage serves as a powerful indictment of spiritual leaders who use their authority to oppress rather than uplift. True spiritual leadership, as exemplified by Christ, is characterized by service, empathy, and a desire to lighten people's loads, not add to them. This condemnation is part of Jesus' broader denunciation of their spiritual malpractice, as seen throughout Matthew chapter 23.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "heavy burdens and grievous to be borne" translates the Greek barea phortia kai dysbastakta (βαρέα φορτία καὶ δυσβάστακτα). Barea phortia literally means "heavy loads," emphasizing the physical weight and difficulty. Dysbastakta further reinforces this, meaning "difficult to carry" or "unbearable." This highlights the immense pressure and impracticality of the religious requirements imposed by the Pharisees.

The phrase "will not move them with one of their fingers" vividly illustrates their complete lack of empathy and practical assistance. It suggests an unwillingness to even lift a finger to alleviate the very burdens they imposed, underscoring their self-serving nature and detachment from the struggles of the people.

Practical Application

Matthew 23:4 remains profoundly relevant today. It challenges us to examine both religious leadership and our own spiritual practices:

  • Beware of Legalism: The verse warns against the dangers of human-made rules and traditions becoming a substitute for genuine faith and love. Any system that adds unnecessary burdens to people's spiritual lives, making salvation or righteousness seem unattainable through endless regulations, runs contrary to the spirit of Christ.
  • Examine Leadership: It calls for discernment regarding spiritual leaders. Are they compassionate servants who genuinely seek to help people grow in faith, or do they impose unrealistic expectations and judge others while failing to live up to their own standards? True leaders lead by example and offer grace, not just demands.
  • Embrace Christ's Yoke: In contrast to the heavy burdens imposed by the Pharisees, Jesus offers rest and a light burden. This verse encourages believers to find freedom in Christ's grace, understanding that our salvation and righteousness come from Him, not from our perfect adherence to human-invented rules. As Paul later teaches, we are to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 11:46

    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.

  • Acts 15:10

    Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

  • Galatians 6:13

    For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

  • Matthew 11:28

    Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

  • Matthew 11:30

    For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light.

  • Matthew 23:23

    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.

  • Acts 15:28

    For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
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