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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.
Verse Takeaways
1
The Crushing Weight of Rules
Commentators explain that the "heavy burdens" were the religious rules the Pharisees imposed. Whether these were the laws of Moses applied with extreme rigidity or their own man-made traditions, the effect was the same: an oppressive, unbearable spiritual load placed on the people.
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Matthew
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9
18th Century
Presbyterian
They bind heavy burdens, etc. This phrase is derived from the custom of loading animals. The load or burden is bound up and then laid on t…
With their finger (τω δακτυλω αυτων). A picturesque proverb. They are taskmasters, not burden-bearers, not sympathetic helpers.
19th Century
Anglican
Heavy burdens — This thought was present in our Lord’s call to the “heavy laden,” in the words that described His own “burden” as …
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Baptist
The contrast between the true Teacher and the false ones is clearly brought out by this verse, They bind heavy burdens to be borne, and lay the…
This verse charges the leaders with putting “heavy loads” on “men’s shoulders”—laying down irksome rules—and then refusing “to lift a finger” to he…
16th Century
Protestant
For they bind heavy and intolerable burdens. He does not charge the scribes with oppressing and tyrannizing over souls by harsh and unjust…
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17th Century
Reformed Baptist
For they bind heavy burdens Meaning not the rites and ceremonies of the law of Moses, circumcision, and other rituals…
The scribes and Pharisees explained the law of Moses, and enforced obedience to it. They are charged with hypocrisy in religion. We can only judge …
13th Century
Catholic
Here, it was shown how the Pharisees and the Scribes were provoked by Christ’s glory, and also by His wisdom, by which He had crushed them; now, ho…
