"For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay {them} on men's shoulders; but they {themselves} will not …" — Matthew 23:4

Matthew 23:4 · KJV

“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.”

— Matthew 23:4

Verse 3

All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, {that} observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

Verse 5

But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, {phylacteries: pieces of parchment containing sentences of the law}

Matthew 23 — Context

Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:

All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, {that} observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

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.

But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, {phylacteries: pieces of parchment containing sentences of the law}

And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

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 11:28-30

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

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. {anise: Gr. dill}

Revelation 2:24

But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

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;