John Calvin Commentary Matthew 23:4

"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." — Matthew 23:4 (ASV)

For they bind heavy and intolerable burdens. He does not charge the scribes with oppressing and tyrannizing over souls by harsh and unjust laws; for, though they had introduced many superfluous ceremonies — as is evident from other passages — Christ does not currently refer to that vice, because His purpose is to compare right doctrine with a wicked and dissolute life.

It is not surprising that the Law of God should be called a heavy and intolerable burden, especially considering our weakness. But even if the scribes required nothing but what God had commanded, Christ still reproved the stern and rigid manner of teaching typical of those proud hypocrites. They authoritatively demanded from others what they owed to God and were rigorous in enforcing duties. Yet, they lazily excused themselves from performing what they so strictly commanded others and allowed themselves to do whatever they pleased.

In this sense, Ezekiel 34:4 reproaches them for ruling with sternness and rigor. For those who truly fear God, though they sincerely and earnestly endeavor to bring their disciples to obey Him, are more severe towards themselves than towards others. Consequently, they are not so rigid in exacting obedience and, being conscious of their own weakness, kindly forgive the weak.

But it is impossible to imagine anything exceeding the insolence in commanding, or the cruelty, of foolish despisers of God. This is because they are not concerned about the difficulty of doing those things from which they excuse themselves. Therefore, no one will exercise moderation in commanding others unless he first becomes his own teacher.⁹¹

⁹¹ “Si premierement il ne se regle luy-mesme, et s’assul jetit aux mesmes choses qu’il commande;” — “if he do not first rule himself, and submit to the same things which he commands.”;” — “if he do not first rule himself, and submit to the same things which he commands.”