Matthew 23:4 ASV

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 23:3-4

Jesus’ statement in the first part of Matthew 23:3 contradicts what He said earlier about how the other Jews should respond to the teaching of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 15:7; Matthew 16:5-12). Assuming the consistency of Jesus’ teaching we should understand His words here as ironical. [Note: J. Jeremias, New Testament Theology, Part I, The Proclamation of Jesus, p. 210.] Another view sees Jesus affirming the authority of the Pharisees in principle, since they taught the Torah, but not... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:1-39

Denunciation of the Pharisees1-36. Final denunciation of the Scribes and Pharisees. The other synoptists insert in this place a brief utterance directed against the scribes (Mark 12:38-40; Luke 20:45-47), but the discourse as it stands is peculiar to St. Matthew. A portion of it, however, is inserted by St. Luke at an earlier period, on the occasion of a dinner at a Pharisee’s house (Luke 11:37-52) and this suggests that we have here a collection of sayings against the scribes and Pharisees... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 23:4

(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... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Matthew 23:1-39

Matthew 23:5 Old Samuel Johnson, the greatest soul in England in his day, was not ambitious. 'Corsica Boswell' flaunted at public shows with printed ribbons round his hat: but the great old Samuel stayed at home. The world-wide soul wrapt up in its thoughts, in its sorrows what could paradings, and ribbons in the hat, do for it? Carlyle. Reference. XXIII. 5. C. Jerdan, Pastures of Tender Grass, p. 291. Matthew 23:8 The passage before us presents us with the true foundation on which all... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Matthew 23:1-39

6; Matthew 22:1-46; Matthew 23:1-39 Chapter 17Conflict in the Temple - Matthew 21:18-46 - Matthew 22:1-46 - Matthew 23:1-39IT had been written that the Lord should suddenly come to His Temple; {Malachi 3:1} but He would not too hastily assert His rights. The first day He simply "looked round about upon all things," {Mark 11:11} and then withdrew to Bethany. The second day-without, however, even yet assailing the authority of those in power-He assumed His prerogative as Lord of the Temple by... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Matthew 23:1-39

11. The Woes of the King and His Lamentation over Jerusalem. CHAPTER 23 1. The Hypocrisy of the Pharisees.(Matthew 23:1-12 .) 2. The Woes of the King upon Them.(Matthew 23:13-36 .) 3. The Lamentation over Jerusalem. (Matthew 23:37-39 .) For the last time we have seen the Pharisees in the presence of the Lord in the previous chapter. What an important part these ecclesiastical leaders of the professing people of God play in this Gospel. They rejected Him; hated Him without a cause, and... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Matthew 23:4

23:4 {2} 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.(2) For the most part hypocrites most severely exact those things which they themselves chiefly neglect. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:1-39

The Lord now turns to speak to the entire crowd, His disciples being mentioned as included. He warns them against the hypocrisy of scribes and Pharisees, for they sat in Moses' seat as enforcers of the law, but considered themselves exempt from its responsibilities. Yet he does not excuse the people on account of the hypocrisy of leaders. So far as they propounded the law of Moses, He tells the people to obey, but not to follow their example. For they laid heavy burdens on the people's... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Matthew 23:1-39

WOE AND FAREWELL Another effort to “entangle him in his talk,” and a new enemy, the Herodians. They were the politicians of the time, a low class of Jews who, for selfish reasons, favored the Roman rule represented by Herod. With flattery He is approached (Matthew 22:16 ), but had He answered their question negatively (Matthew 22:17 ), the Herodians would have accused Him before the Roman judges, while affirmatively, the Pharisees could have done so before the Sanhedrin. No true Messiah,... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Matthew 23:1-39

Chapter 82 Prayer Almighty God, thou givest the Holy Spirit unto men, that they may be enlightened and sanctified and made like thyself. If men being evil know how to give good gifts unto their children, how much more will our Father which is in Heaven give the Holy Spirit unto them that ask him. We come to ask for the outpouring of the Holy Ghost upon the Church of the redeemed, bought not with corruptible things as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of the Lamb of God. He promised... read more