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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Matthew 23:1–4

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
THEN spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:
All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
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.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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4 selected · 35 available

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SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

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From verse 1

  1. Luke 12:1Rank 1 from verse 1
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    1IN the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

  2. Luke 20:45–46Rank 2 from verse 1
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    45¶ Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,

    46Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;

  3. Matthew 15:10–20Rank 3 from verse 1
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    10¶ And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:

    11Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

    12Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?

    13But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

    14Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

    15Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.

    16And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?

    17Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

    18But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

    19For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

    20These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

  4. Luke 12:57Rank 4 from verse 1
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    57Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?

  5. Mark 12:38–39Rank 5 from verse 1
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    38¶ And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,

    39And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:

  6. Mark 7:14Rank 6 from verse 1
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    14¶ And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:

From verse 2

  1. Luke 20:46Rank 1 from verse 2
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    46Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;

  2. Mark 12:38Rank 2 from verse 2
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    38¶ And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,

  3. Malachi 2:7Rank 3 from verse 2
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    7For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.

  4. Ezra 7:25Rank 4 from verse 2
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    25And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not.

  5. Ezra 7:6Rank 5 from verse 2
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    6This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the Lord his God upon him.

  6. Nehemiah 8:4–8Rank 6 from verse 2
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    4And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.

    5And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:

    6And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

    7Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.

    8So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

From verse 3

  1. 2 Timothy 3:5Rank 1 from verse 3
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    5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

  2. Romans 2:19–24Rank 2 from verse 3
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    19And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,

    20An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.

    21Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?

    22Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?

    23Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?

    24For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.

  3. Titus 1:16Rank 3 from verse 3
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    16They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

  4. Acts 5:29Rank 4 from verse 3
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    29¶ Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

  5. Romans 13:1Rank 5 from verse 3
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    1LET every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

  6. 2 Chronicles 30:12Rank 6 from verse 3
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    12Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the Lord.

  7. Deuteronomy 17:9–12Rank 7 from verse 3
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    9And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and inquire; and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment:

    10And thou shalt do according to the sentence, which they of that place which the Lord shall choose shall shew thee; and thou shalt observe to do according to all that they inform thee:

    11According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall shew thee, to the right hand, nor to the left.

    12And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the Lord thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.

  8. Matthew 21:30Rank 8 from verse 3
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    30And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.

  9. Psalms 50:16–20Rank 9 from verse 3
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    16But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?

    17Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.

    18When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.

    19Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.

    20Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son.

  10. Deuteronomy 4:5Rank 10 from verse 3
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    5Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.

  11. Exodus 18:19–20Rank 11 from verse 3
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    19Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:

    20And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.

  12. Exodus 18:23Rank 12 from verse 3
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    23If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.

  13. Matthew 15:2–9Rank 13 from verse 3
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    2Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.

    3But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

    4For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

    5But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;

    6And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

    7Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

    8This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

    9But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

  14. Deuteronomy 5:27Rank 14 from verse 3
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    27Go thou near, and hear all that the Lord our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the Lord our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it.

From verse 4

  1. Luke 11:46Rank 1 from verse 4
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    46And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.

  2. Acts 15:10Rank 2 from verse 4
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    10Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

  3. Galatians 6:13Rank 3 from verse 4
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    13For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

  4. Matthew 11:28–30Rank 4 from verse 4
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    28¶ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

    29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

    30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

  5. Matthew 23:23Rank 5 from verse 4
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    23Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

  6. Revelation 2:24Rank 6 from verse 4
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    24But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

  7. Acts 15:28Rank 7 from verse 4
    Open

    28For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 23:1

COMBINED MEANING

spake

↗

The past tense of speak: uttered or expressed words, addressed someone, or communicated a matter in words.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

multitude

↗

1. A great number or large gathered body of persons, creatures, or forces; a crowd, company, or host. 2. A great number, amount, fullness, or abundance of years, words, deeds, mercies, sins, possessions, waters, or other stated things.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 23:2

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

seat

↗

The place of sitting; throne; chair of state; tribunal; post of authority. That on which one sits: a chair, bench, stool or any other thing on which a person sits.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 23:3

COMBINED MEANING

whatsoever

↗

Whatever, anything that, or every thing of the kind or within the condition and scope stated.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

bid

↗

Sense 1: To command, direct, or request. Sense 2: To invite or call. Sense 3: To speak or pronounce a greeting, as in bid farewell or bid God speed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

you

↗

The second-person plural pronoun referring to those being addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

observe

↗

Sense 1: To watch, notice, behold, or take heed of. Sense 2: To keep, carefully perform, or comply with.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

ye

↗

The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

after

↗

1. Later than or following in time or order. 2. Behind. 3. In pursuit of.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

works

↗

Plural of work: acts, deeds, labours, operations, products, or things made.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

say

↗

Sense 1: To speak, declare, tell, or express. Sense 2: What is said.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 23:4

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

bind

↗

To tie together, or confine with a cord, or any thing that is flexible; to fasten as with a band, fillet or ligature.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

heavy

↗

Sense 1: Of great weight. Sense 2: Grievous, sorrowful, burdened, or hard to bear.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

burdens

↗

Sense 1: Loads carried. Sense 2: Duties, hardships, or oppressive weights borne by a person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

borne

↗

1. Carried, supported, conveyed, or sustained. 2. Endured or suffered. 3. Brought forth as offspring. 4. Bore or possessed a likeness. 5. Given testimony.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

lay

↗

Sense 1: To put, place, set, arrange, deposit, apply, establish, impose, or cause to be in a stated position or condition. Sense 2: As the past tense of lie, to recline, rest, be situated, or remain in a state. Sense 3: In lay with, to have sexual relations. Sense 4: To press or bear upon. Sense 5: In lay up, lay by, or lay in store, to keep, store, or treasure; in lay wait, lay snares, lay an ambush, or lay siege, to prepare or set. Sense 6: In lay hold or lay hands on, to seize, take, apprehend, or touch. Sense 7: In lay down one's life, to surrender or give it; in lay aside, lay apart, or lay away, to remove, reject, or put off.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

on

↗

1. At, upon, or in contact with the named place, object, side, or time. 2. Toward, against, concerning, depending upon, or directed to the named person or thing. 3. Forward or continuing; in joined expressions such as go on, put on, and lay hold on, the other words supply the particular action.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

shoulders

↗

The upper joints and parts of the body between the neck and arms; figures of bearing or supporting a load.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

move

↗

To change place; to stir, shake, prompt, influence, or set in action.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

READ THE PASSAGE

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Suggested context · Matthew 23:1–12

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

23:1THEN spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,

Selected passage

23:2Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:

Selected passage

23:3All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

Selected passage

23:4For 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.

Selected passage

23:5But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

23:6And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

23:7And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

23:8But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

23:9And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

23:10Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

23:11But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

23:12And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

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