Keraia
Matthew 23

Matthew 23:4

Woes to Scribes and Pharisees · Matthew 23:1–36
Read Matthew 23

Translations

Modern
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.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And they tie up burdens heavy and hard to bear, and they lay them on the shoulders of men; but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.
Latin
Alligant enim onera gravia, et importabilia, et imponunt in humeros hominum: digito autem suo nolunt ea movere.

Original

Greek
English
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.

Notes

Matthew 23:4

  • heavy, burdensome loads: According to the rabbis, there were 613 laws with commands and prohibitions (see 11:28–30; Acts 15:10, 28).

  • not willing to lift a finger: The religious leaders were not willing to ease or change these traditional laws.

Events

Parallels

Luke 11:37–54

Glossary

Gospel of Matthew Hypocrisy Jesus Christ, Teachings of Moses’ Seat Scribe Son of Man Tradition

Topics

Burden of Oppressions Christian Minister: False and Corrupt Church: Corruption In Ecclesiasticism: Arrogance of Ecclesiasticism: Jewish, Rebuked by Jesus Hypocrisy: General Scriptures Concerning Inconsistency: General Scriptures Concerning Oppression: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Pharisees: Hypocrisy of, Reproved by Jesus Satire of Jesus Against Hypocrites Teachers: False: Admonition Against The Call of God: Illustrated The Pharisees: Character of Oppressive