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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Matthew 23:2–4

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
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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3 selected · 7 available

Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

15 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

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.

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.

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
    Open

    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.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

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 BEFORE AND AFTER

Surrounding Verses

Nearby Scripture remains separate from the selected passage until you add it.

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

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

Selected passage

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

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

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

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