Matthew 23:4
New International Version
They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

New Living Translation
They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden.

English Standard Version
They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

Berean Literal Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
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.

NASB 1995
“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.

NASB 1977
“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.

Legacy Standard Bible
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.

Amplified Bible
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].

Christian Standard Bible
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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
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.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
They pile heavy burdens on people's shoulders and won't lift a finger to help.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
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.

Good News Translation
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.

International Standard Version
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.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
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.

New Heart English Bible
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.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Weymouth New Testament
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.

World English Bible
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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
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.

Berean Literal Bible
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.

Young's Literal Translation
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.

Smith's Literal Translation
For they bind loads heavy and difficult to carry, and put upon men's shoulders; and with their fingers will they not move them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
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.

New American Bible
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.

New Revised Standard Version
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.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
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.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And they bind heavy burdens and place them on the shoulders of men, but they are not willing to touch them with their fingers.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
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.

Godbey New Testament
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.

Haweis New Testament
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.

Mace New Testament
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,

Weymouth New Testament
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.

Worrell New Testament
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.

Worsley New Testament
for they bind grievous and intolerable burthens, and impose them upon men; but they themselves will not put a finger to them:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Woes to Scribes and Pharisees
3So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 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. 5All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.…

Cross References
Acts 15:10
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?

Luke 11:46
“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.

Galatians 6:13
For the circumcised do not even keep the law themselves, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.

Galatians 5:1
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.

Romans 2:17-24
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, ...

1 Peter 5:3
not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

James 2:10
Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

Galatians 6:12
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.

Romans 10:3
Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.

Isaiah 10:1-2
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.

Ezekiel 34:4
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.

Micah 6:8
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?

Isaiah 29:13
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.

Jeremiah 23:2
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.

Isaiah 58:6
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?


Treasury of Scripture

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 23:23
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.

Matthew 11:28-30
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest…

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.

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Bind Borne Burdens Choose Finger Fingers Great Grievous Hard Heavy Help Lay Loads Move Shoulders Themselves Tie Together Unwilling Weights Willing
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Bind Borne Burdens Choose Finger Fingers Great Grievous Hard Heavy Help Lay Loads Move Shoulders Themselves Tie Together Unwilling Weights Willing
Matthew 23
1. Jesus admonishes the people to follow good doctrine, not bad examples
5. His disciples must beware of their ambition.
13. He denounces eight woes against their hypocrisy and blindness,
34. and prophesies of the destruction of Jerusalem.














They tie up
The phrase "tie up" in the Greek is "δέω" (deo), which means to bind or fasten. This imagery suggests a deliberate and forceful action, indicating the Pharisees' intentional imposition of rules and regulations. Historically, the Pharisees were known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses, often adding oral traditions that became burdensome. This reflects a legalistic approach that prioritizes external compliance over internal transformation, a cautionary reminder for believers to focus on the spirit rather than the letter of the law.

heavy, burdensome loads
The Greek word for "heavy" is "βαρέα" (barea), and "burdensome" is "δυσβάστακτα" (dysbastakta), which together emphasize the oppressive nature of these loads. In the historical context, these loads refer to the extensive and often impossible demands of the Pharisaic laws. Spiritually, this serves as a metaphor for any religious practice that becomes a hindrance rather than a help in one's relationship with God. Jesus contrasts this with His own teaching in Matthew 11:28-30, where He offers rest and an easy yoke, highlighting the grace and freedom found in Him.

and lay them on men’s shoulders
The act of laying burdens on "men’s shoulders" suggests an imposition of responsibility and obligation. In ancient times, carrying loads on one's shoulders was a common practice, symbolizing the weight of duty. The Pharisees' actions are depicted as hypocritical, as they impose these burdens without compassion or assistance. This serves as a warning against spiritual leaders who prioritize control over care, reminding believers of the importance of servant leadership modeled by Christ.

but they themselves are not willing
The phrase "not willing" in Greek is "οὐ θέλουσιν" (ou thelousin), indicating a deliberate choice or refusal. This highlights the Pharisees' hypocrisy, as they demand from others what they are unwilling to do themselves. It underscores the importance of integrity and authenticity in spiritual leadership, where actions should align with teachings. This calls believers to self-examination, ensuring that their faith is lived out consistently and genuinely.

to lift a finger to move them
The expression "to lift a finger" is a colloquialism that implies minimal effort. In the Greek, "κινῆσαι" (kinēsai) means to move or shift. The Pharisees' unwillingness to assist even in the smallest way reveals their lack of compassion and empathy. This serves as a powerful reminder of the call to bear one another's burdens, as instructed in Galatians 6:2. It challenges believers to actively participate in the support and encouragement of others, reflecting the love and grace of Christ in tangible ways.

(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" (Matthew 11:28; Matthew 11:30). 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 Acts 15:10.

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. Romans 2:17-23.)

Verse 4. - Bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne; δυσβάστακτα: importabilia (Vulgate). The last epithet, which is very uncommon (Luke 11:46), 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" (Acts 15:10; Galatians 5:1). Contrast with this the Christian's service: "My yoke is easy," says Christ, "and my burden is light" (ch. 11:33).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
They tie up
δεσμεύουσιν (desmeuousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1195: 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
Strong's 926: 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
Strong's 1419: Difficult to carry, oppressive. From dus- and a derivative of bastazo; oppressive.

loads
φορτία (phortia)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 5413: A burden; the freight of a ship. Diminutive of phortos; an invoice, i.e. a task or service.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

lay [them]
ἐπιτιθέασιν (epititheasin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2007: To put, place upon, lay on; I add, give in addition. From epi and tithemi; to impose.

on
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

men’s
ἀνθρώπων (anthrōpōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 444: 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
Strong's 5606: The shoulder. Perhaps from the alternate of phero; the shoulder.

but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

they themselves
αὐτοὶ (autoi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: 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
Strong's 2309: To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design.

to lift a finger
δακτύλῳ (daktylō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1147: A finger. Probably from deka; a finger.

to move
κινῆσαι (kinēsai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 2795: 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
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens that (Matt. Mat Mt)
Matthew 23:3
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