The Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 23:4

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Needless burdens.

The faults of the scribes and Pharisees were not confined to their own private lives. Not only were they formal and unreal themselves, and blameworthy on that account; they were harsh and tyrannical in their treatment of the people. They showed their sanctity in constructing an artificial standard of holiness for other persons to follow. This is a not uncommon fault of professional religionists, and it leads to the imposition of needless burdens of many forms.

I. THE CREATION OF NEEDLESS BURDENS.

1. Their character. These burdens are of various kinds.

2. Their origin. These needless burdens were not imposed by God. He is reasonable and merciful. We must look lower for their origin.

II. THE CREATION OF NEEDLESS BURDENS. This is one of Christ's happy works.

1. The grounds of the removal of them.

2. The method of their removal.

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