Matthew 23:2-4

Seven Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees

² _u "The scribes and the Pharisees _v sit on Moses' seat, ³ so practice and observe whatever they tell you - _w but not what they do. _x For they preach, but do not practice. ⁴ _y They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, ₁ and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.

1. Cross References
   Ezra 7:6
   This Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the Lord, the God of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him.
   Ezra 7:10
   For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.
   Ezra 7:25
   And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges who may judge all the people in the province Beyond the River, all such as know the laws of your God. And those who do not know them, you shall teach.
   Nehemiah 8:4
   And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand, and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left hand.
   
2. Cross References
   Deuteronomy 17:10 - 11
   Then you shall do according to what they declare to you from that place that the Lord will choose. And you shall be careful to do according to all that they direct you.
   John 9:28 - 29
   And they reviled him, saying, "You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses.
   
3. Cross References
   Matthew 5:20
   For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
   Matthew 15:3 - 13
   He answered them, "And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?
   
4. Cross References
   Romans 2:17 - 23
   But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God
   
5. Cross References
   Luke 11:46
   And he said, "Woe to you lawyers also! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.
   Matthew 11:28 - 30
   Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
   Acts 15:10
   Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?