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Matthew 23:4
Verse
Context
Sermons
Carter Conlon
Bill McLeod
David Guzik
G. Campbell Morgan
John Nelson Darby
Zac Poonen
George FoxSummary
Commentary
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them--"touch them not" (Luk 11:46). with one of their fingers--referring not so much to the irksomeness of the legal rites, though they were irksome enough (Act 15:10), as to the heartless rigor with which they were enforced, and by men of shameless inconsistency.
John Gill Bible Commentary
For they bind heavy burdens,.... Meaning not the rites and ceremonies of the law of Moses, circumcision, and other rituals, which obliged to the keeping of the whole law, which was a yoke men were not able to bear; but the traditions of the elders, which the Scribes and Pharisees were very tenacious of, and very severely enjoined the observance of, and are called their "heavy" things (o). "It is a tradition of R. Ishmael, there are in the words of the law, that, which is bound or forbidden, and that which is loose or free; and there are in them light things, and there are in them heavy things; but the words of the Scribes, , "all of them are heavy".'' And a little after, "the words of the elders, "are heavier" than the words of the prophets.'' Hence frequent mention is made of "the light things of the school of Shammai, "and of the heavy things of the school of Hillell" (p)'' two famous doctors, heads of two universities, in being in Christ's time: these are also called, , "the blows, or wounds of the Pharisees" (q); not as Bartenora explains them, the wounds they gave themselves, to show their humility; or which they received, by beating their heads against the wall, walking with their eyes shut, that they might not look upon women, under a pretence of great chastity; but, as Maimonides says, these are their additions and heavy things, which they add to the law. Now the binding of these heavy things, means the imposing them on men, obliging them to observe them very strictly, under great penalties, should they omit them. The allusion is, to those frequent sayings in use among them, such a thing is "bound", and such a thing is loosed; such a "Rabbi binds", and such an one looses; that is, forbids, or allows of such and such things; See Gill on Mat 16:19. and grievous to be borne. This clause is left out in the Syriac, Arabic, Persic, and Ethiopic versions; but is in all the Greek copies, and serves to illustrate and aggravate the burdensome rites and institutions of these people: and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers: the sense is, not that they were so rigid and hardhearted, that they would not move a finger to remove these burdens from the shoulders of men, or ease them in the least degree, or dispense with their performance of them in the least measure, upon any consideration, though this also was true in many respects; but that they were so slothful and indolent themselves, that though they strictly enjoined the observance of their numerous and unwritten traditions on the people, yet in many cases, where they could without public notice, they neglected them themselves, or at least, made them lighter and easier to them, as in their fastings, &c. In the Misna (r), mention is made of "a crafty wicked man", along with a woman Pharisee, and the blows of the Pharisees before spoken of; and in the Gemara (s), is explained by R. Hona, of one, "that makes things "light" for himself, and makes them "heavy" for others.'' Such crafty wicked men were Scribes and Pharisees; though R. Meir pretended that he made things "light" to others and "heavy" to himself (t). (o) T. Hieros. Peracot, fol. 3. 2. (p) T. Hieros. Sota, fol. 19. 2. Yom Tob. fol. 60. 2. & Berncot, fol. 3. 2. (q) Misn. Sota, c. 3. sect. 4. (r) Ubi supra. (Misn. Sota, c. 3. sect. 4.) (s) T. Bab. Sota, fol. 21. 2. (t) T. Hieros. Beracot, fol. 3. 1.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
23:4 unbearable religious demands: There were 613 legal prohibitions and commands, according to the rabbis (see 11:28-30; Acts 15:10, 28). • never lift a finger: The religious leaders were unwilling to consider relaxing traditional legal statutes.
Matthew 23:4
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. 4They 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.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
The Glorying of Leaven
By Carter Conlon2.4K56:32SinDAN 5:29MAT 16:6MAT 23:4LUK 13:9LUK 13:211CO 5:7In this sermon, the preacher begins by recounting the story of Belshazzar and how he was blind to the truth and hardened to the gospel. The preacher then paraphrases Matthew chapter 23, cautioning about the leaven of the Pharisees and describing the characteristics of a Pharisee's heart. The sermon then shifts to the topic of conquering strong cities in our lives, areas that are deeply embedded and cannot be changed without the power of God. The preacher encourages the congregation to have an open heart and trust in God's grace to overcome these strongholds. The sermon concludes with a call to confession and surrender, using the story of Achan in Joshua chapter 7 as an example of the need to let go of everything that is not of God.
Christ Is All - in Scripture
By Bill McLeod1.6K46:28Fulness Of ChristPSA 2:10PSA 40:7PSA 41:9MAT 1:21MAT 28:19MRK 14:62COL 3:11TIT 3:7PHM 1:1In this sermon, the speaker begins by referencing Mark 16 and Luke 1 from the Bible. He highlights how Jesus reproached his disciples for their lack of belief in his resurrection and then commanded them to preach the gospel to the world. The speaker also mentions that some versions of the Bible omit miracles and end with Jesus' death on the cross, portraying him as a good man and advocate of peace. However, the speaker emphasizes that the Bible is truly all about Jesus and explores the significance of his ministry and his role as the Son of God.
Church History - the Need for Reformation
By David Guzik73138:36MAT 23:4MAT 28:19ACT 4:12In this sermon, the speaker discusses the need for the Reformation in the Christian kingdom of Scenic Valley. They highlight the Great Schism, a period from 1378 to 1417 when there were multiple Popes simultaneously, causing division and corruption within the church. The financial motives behind this division are also mentioned, with Christians forbidding interest charges but relying on Jews for banking services. The sermon emphasizes the persecution of those who questioned church doctrines, such as the belief in the actual presence of Jesus in the sacraments, leading to the confiscation of their belongings as a means to enforce conformity.
The Existing Anarchy
By G. Campbell Morgan0The Kingdom of GodSpiritual RenewalMAT 4:4MAT 5:3MAT 9:36MAT 11:25MAT 15:14MAT 21:38MAT 23:4LUK 9:60LUK 11:21JHN 3:3G. Campbell Morgan addresses the theme of existing anarchy as seen through the teachings of Jesus, emphasizing the contrast between the Kingdom of God and the false ideals, rules, and perverse hearts of humanity. He highlights how Jesus recognized the divine authority of God while also observing the chaos and rebellion against it, revealing the need for spiritual renewal and true authority to overcome this anarchy. Morgan categorizes the manifestations of anarchy into false ideals, false rule, and human perversity, while identifying blindness, spiritual slavery, and spiritual death as the underlying reasons for this state. Ultimately, he calls for a return to the true authority of God and the necessity of being born again to enter the Kingdom of God.
Compared View of the First Three Gospels, Etc.
By John Nelson Darby0The GospelsChrist's MinistryMAT 1:1MAT 4:17MAT 5:1MAT 9:35MAT 11:28MAT 28:19MRK 1:14LUK 3:23LUK 4:18John Nelson Darby discusses the distinct characteristics and purposes of the first three Gospels, emphasizing that Mark presents a chronological account of Christ's service, while Matthew focuses on the presentation of Jesus as the Messiah and the implications of His rejection. He notes that Luke, while generally following Mark's order, includes moral teachings that are unique to his Gospel. Darby highlights the importance of understanding the genealogies and the context of Christ's ministry, particularly in relation to Israel's expectations and the establishment of the church. He concludes that the Gospels collectively reveal the nature of Christ's mission and the unfolding of God's plan for humanity.
Pharisees Bind Heavy Burdens on Others
By Zac Poonen0True DiscipleshipHypocrisyMAT 7:3MAT 11:30MAT 23:4LUK 11:46JHN 8:32ROM 14:132CO 1:24GAL 6:5JAS 3:11PE 5:2Zac Poonen addresses the hypocrisy of Pharisaical preachers who impose heavy burdens on others while failing to uphold the same standards themselves. He shares a personal experience from a youth camp where a speaker demanded excessive devotion without practicing it himself, revealing the inconsistency and burden of such teachings. Poonen emphasizes that true preaching should liberate and bless rather than bind and burden, contrasting the approach of Jesus, who used Scripture to free people rather than constrain them. He warns that many young people are disillusioned with church due to these burdensome teachings, which misrepresent God's Word.
Epistle 83
By George Fox0Church OrderFaithfulnessISA 58:6MAT 23:4MRK 9:41ACT 20:28ROM 2:23ROM 15:1COL 3:22George Fox emphasizes the importance of gathering in the fear of the Lord, urging believers to remain faithful and diligent in their respective roles within the church. He encourages overseers to care for their flock and warns against the dangers of pride and running ahead of God's guidance. Fox calls for unity and order in meetings, reminding everyone to serve with sincerity and to be mindful of their actions to avoid bringing dishonor to God. He stresses the need for patience and clarity in following God's direction, ensuring that all members contribute positively to the community. Ultimately, he encourages faithfulness in service, promising that such dedication will not go unrewarded.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them--"touch them not" (Luk 11:46). with one of their fingers--referring not so much to the irksomeness of the legal rites, though they were irksome enough (Act 15:10), as to the heartless rigor with which they were enforced, and by men of shameless inconsistency.
John Gill Bible Commentary
For they bind heavy burdens,.... Meaning not the rites and ceremonies of the law of Moses, circumcision, and other rituals, which obliged to the keeping of the whole law, which was a yoke men were not able to bear; but the traditions of the elders, which the Scribes and Pharisees were very tenacious of, and very severely enjoined the observance of, and are called their "heavy" things (o). "It is a tradition of R. Ishmael, there are in the words of the law, that, which is bound or forbidden, and that which is loose or free; and there are in them light things, and there are in them heavy things; but the words of the Scribes, , "all of them are heavy".'' And a little after, "the words of the elders, "are heavier" than the words of the prophets.'' Hence frequent mention is made of "the light things of the school of Shammai, "and of the heavy things of the school of Hillell" (p)'' two famous doctors, heads of two universities, in being in Christ's time: these are also called, , "the blows, or wounds of the Pharisees" (q); not as Bartenora explains them, the wounds they gave themselves, to show their humility; or which they received, by beating their heads against the wall, walking with their eyes shut, that they might not look upon women, under a pretence of great chastity; but, as Maimonides says, these are their additions and heavy things, which they add to the law. Now the binding of these heavy things, means the imposing them on men, obliging them to observe them very strictly, under great penalties, should they omit them. The allusion is, to those frequent sayings in use among them, such a thing is "bound", and such a thing is loosed; such a "Rabbi binds", and such an one looses; that is, forbids, or allows of such and such things; See Gill on Mat 16:19. and grievous to be borne. This clause is left out in the Syriac, Arabic, Persic, and Ethiopic versions; but is in all the Greek copies, and serves to illustrate and aggravate the burdensome rites and institutions of these people: and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers: the sense is, not that they were so rigid and hardhearted, that they would not move a finger to remove these burdens from the shoulders of men, or ease them in the least degree, or dispense with their performance of them in the least measure, upon any consideration, though this also was true in many respects; but that they were so slothful and indolent themselves, that though they strictly enjoined the observance of their numerous and unwritten traditions on the people, yet in many cases, where they could without public notice, they neglected them themselves, or at least, made them lighter and easier to them, as in their fastings, &c. In the Misna (r), mention is made of "a crafty wicked man", along with a woman Pharisee, and the blows of the Pharisees before spoken of; and in the Gemara (s), is explained by R. Hona, of one, "that makes things "light" for himself, and makes them "heavy" for others.'' Such crafty wicked men were Scribes and Pharisees; though R. Meir pretended that he made things "light" to others and "heavy" to himself (t). (o) T. Hieros. Peracot, fol. 3. 2. (p) T. Hieros. Sota, fol. 19. 2. Yom Tob. fol. 60. 2. & Berncot, fol. 3. 2. (q) Misn. Sota, c. 3. sect. 4. (r) Ubi supra. (Misn. Sota, c. 3. sect. 4.) (s) T. Bab. Sota, fol. 21. 2. (t) T. Hieros. Beracot, fol. 3. 1.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
23:4 unbearable religious demands: There were 613 legal prohibitions and commands, according to the rabbis (see 11:28-30; Acts 15:10, 28). • never lift a finger: The religious leaders were unwilling to consider relaxing traditional legal statutes.