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Matthew 23:4

Pride

2 “The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.

3 So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.

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.

5 All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.

6 They love the places of honor at banquets, the chief seats in the synagogues,

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
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.
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.
WEB
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.
ASV
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.
DARBY
but bind burdens heavy and hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of men, but will not move them with their finger.
BLB
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.
ÅB
De binder sammen store byrder som er vanskelige å bære, og legger dem på andre menneskers skuldre. Men selv vil de ikke røre dem med en finger.
OTB
De binder tunge byrder og legger dem på menneskers skuldre, men selv er de ikke villige til å løfte en finger for å flytte dem.
B1930
de binder svære byrder, som er vanskelige å bære, og legger dem på menneskenes skuldrer, men selv vil de ikke røre dem med sin finger.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Luke 11:46

    “Woe to you as well, experts in the law!” He replied. “You weigh men down with heavy burdens, but you yourselves will not lift a finger to lighten their load.

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  • 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?

    Read in context

  • 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.

    Read in context

  • Matthew 11:28–30

    Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

    Read in context

  • Matthew 23:23

    Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

    Read in context

  • Revelation 2:24

    But I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned the so-called deep things of Satan: I will place no further burden upon you.

    Read in context

  • Acts 15:28

    It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements:

    Read in context