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Selected Verse: Matthew 11:29 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Mt 11:29	Strong Concordance	Take [142] my [3450] yoke [2218] upon [1909] you [5209], and [2532] learn [3129] of [575] me [1700]; for [3754] I am [1510] meek [4235] and [2532] lowly [5011] in heart [2588]: and [2532] ye shall find [2147] rest [372] unto your [5216] souls [5590].
	King James	Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
Take my yoke upon you--the yoke of subjection to Jesus. and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls--As Christ's willingness to empty Himself to the uttermost of His Father's requirements was the spring of ineffable repose to His own Spirit, so in the same track does He invite all to follow Him, with the assurance of the same experience.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

Take my yoke upon you--the yoke of subjection to Jesus.

and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls--As Christ's willingness to empty Himself to the uttermost of His Father's requirements was the spring of ineffable repose to His own Spirit, so in the same track does He invite all to follow Him, with the assurance of the same experience.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Take my yoke - This is a figure taken from the use of oxen, and hence signifying to labor for one, or in the service of anyone. The "yoke" is used in the Bible as an emblem: (1) of bondage or slavery, Lev 26:13; Deu 28:38. (2) of afflictions or crosses, Lam 3:27. (3) of the punishment of sin, Lam 1:14, (4) of the commandments of God. (5) of legal ceremonies, Act 15:10; Gal 5:1. It refers here to the religion of the Redeemer; and the idea is, that they should embrace his system of religion and obey him. All virtue and all religion imply "restraint" - the restraint of our bad passions and inclinations - and subjection to laws; and the Saviour here means to say that the restraints and laws of his religion are mild, and gentle, and easy. Let anyone compare them with the burdensome and expensive ceremonies of the Jews (see Act 15:10), or with the religious rites of the pagan everywhere, or with the requirements of the Popish system, and he will see how true it is that Jesus' yoke is easy. And let his laws and requirements be compared with the laws which sin imposes on its votaries - the laws of fashion, and honor, and sensuality - and he will feel that religion is "freedom," Joh 8:36. "He is a freeman whom the truth makes free, and all are slaves besides." It is "easier" to be a Christian than a sinner; and of all the yokes ever imposed on people, that of the Redeemer is the lightest. For I am meek ... - See the notes at Mat 5:5. This was eminently Christ's personal character. But this is not its meaning here. He is giving a reason why they should embrace his religion. That was, that he was not harsh, overbearing, and oppressive, like the Pharisees, but meek, mild, and gentle in his government. His laws were reasonable and tender, and it would be easy to obey him.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Yoke (ζυγόν) "These words, as recorded by St. Matthew, the Evangelist of the Jews, must have sunk the deeper into the hearts of Christ's Jewish hearers, that they came in their own old, familiar form of speech, yet with such contrast of spirit. One of the most common figurative expressions of the time was that of the yoke for submission to an occupation or obligation. Very instructive for the understanding of the figure is this paraphrase of Cant. 1:10: 'How beautiful is their neck for bearing the yoke of thy statutes; and it shall be upon them like the yoke on the neck of the ox that plougheth in the field and provideth food for himself and his master.' "The public worship of the ancient synagogue commenced with a benediction, followed by the shema (Hear, O Israel) or creed, composed of three passages of scripture: Deu 6:4-9; Deu 11:13-21; Num 15:37-41. The section Deu 6:4-9 was said to precede Deu 11:13-21, so that we might take upon ourselves the yoke of the kingdom of heaven, and only after that the yoke of the commandments. The Saviour's words must have had a special significance to those who remembered this lesson; and they would now understand how, by coming to the Saviour, they would first take on them the yoke of the kingdom of heaven, and then that of the commandments, finding this yoke easy and the burden light" (Edersheim, "Life and Times of Jesus," and "Jewish Social Life"). Meek (πραΰ́ς) See on Mat 5:5. Lowly (ταπεινός) The word has a history. In the classics it is used commonly in a bad and degrading sense, of meanness of condition, lowness of rank, and cringing abjectness and baseness of character. Still, even in classical Greek, this is not its universal usage. It is occasionally employed in a way which foreshadows its higher sense. Plato, for instance, says, "To that law (of God) he would be happy who holds fast, and follows it in all humility and order; but he who is lifted up with pride, or money, or honor, or beauty, who has a soul hot with folly, and youth, and insolence, and thinks that he has no need of a guide or ruler, but is able himself to be the guide of others, he, I say, is left deserted of God" ("Laws," 716). And Aristotle says: "He who is worthy of small things, and deems himself so, is wise" ("Nich. Ethics," iv., 3). At best, however, the classical conception is only modesty, absence of assumption. It is an element of wisdom and in no way opposed to self-righteousness (see Aristotle above). The word for the Christian virtue of humility (ταπεινοφροσύνη), was not used before the Christian era, and is distinctly an outgrowth of the Gospel. This virtue is based upon a correct estimate of our actual littleness, and is linked with a sense of sinfulness. True greatness is holiness. We are little because sinful. Compare Luk 18:14. It is asked how, in this view of the case, the word can be applied to himself by the sinless Lord? "The answer is," says Archbishop Trench, "that for the sinner humility involves the confession of sin, inasmuch as it involves the confession of his true condition; while yet for the unfallen creature the grace itself as truly exists, involving for such the acknowledgment, not of sinfulness, which would be untrue, but of creatureliness, of absolute dependence, of having nothing, but receiving all things of God. And thus the grace of humility belongs to the highest angel before the throne, being as he is a creature, yea, even to the Lord of Glory himself. In his human nature he must be the pattern of all humility, of all creaturely dependence; and it is only as a man that Christ thus claims to be lowly; his human life was a constant living on the fulness of his Father's love; he evermore, as man, took the place which beseemed the creature in the presence of its Creator" ("Synonyms," p. 145). The Christian virtue regards man not only with reference to God, but to his fellow-man. In lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself (Phi 2:3, Rev.). But this is contrary to the Greek conception of justice or righteousness, which was simply "his own to each one." It is noteworthy that neither the Septuagint, the Apocrypha, nor the New Testament recognize the ignoble classical sense of the word. Ye shall find (εὑρήσετε) Compare I will give you and ye shall find. The rest of Christ is twofold - given and found. It is given in pardon and reconciliation. It is found under the yoke and the burden; in the development of Christian experience, as more and more the "strain passes over" from self to Christ. "No other teacher, since the world began, has ever associated learn with rest. 'Learn of me,' says the philosopher, 'and you shall find restlessness.' 'Learn of me,' says Christ, 'and you shall find rest'" (Drummond, "Natural Law in the Spiritual World").

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

Yoke (ζυγόν)

"These words, as recorded by St. Matthew, the Evangelist of the Jews, must have sunk the deeper into the hearts of Christ's Jewish hearers, that they came in their own old, familiar form of speech, yet with such contrast of spirit. One of the most common figurative expressions of the time was that of the yoke for submission to an occupation or obligation. Very instructive for the understanding of the figure is this paraphrase of Cant. 1:10: 'How beautiful is their neck for bearing the yoke of thy statutes; and it shall be upon them like the yoke on the neck of the ox that plougheth in the field and provideth food for himself and his master.'

"The public worship of the ancient synagogue commenced with a benediction, followed by the shema (Hear, O Israel) or creed, composed of three passages of scripture: Deu 6:4-9; Deu 11:13-21; Num 15:37-41. The section Deu 6:4-9 was said to precede Deu 11:13-21, so that we might take upon ourselves the yoke of the kingdom of heaven, and only after that the yoke of the commandments. The Saviour's words must have had a special significance to those who remembered this lesson; and they would now understand how, by coming to the Saviour, they would first take on them the yoke of the kingdom of heaven, and then that of the commandments, finding this yoke easy and the burden light" (Edersheim, "Life and Times of Jesus," and "Jewish Social Life").

Meek (πραΰ́ς)

See on Mat 5:5.

Lowly (ταπεινός)

The word has a history. In the classics it is used commonly in a bad and degrading sense, of meanness of condition, lowness of rank, and cringing abjectness and baseness of character. Still, even in classical Greek, this is not its universal usage. It is occasionally employed in a way which foreshadows its higher sense. Plato, for instance, says, "To that law (of God) he would be happy who holds fast, and follows it in all humility and order; but he who is lifted up with pride, or money, or honor, or beauty, who has a soul hot with folly, and youth, and insolence, and thinks that he has no need of a guide or ruler, but is able himself to be the guide of others, he, I say, is left deserted of God" ("Laws," 716). And Aristotle says: "He who is worthy of small things, and deems himself so, is wise" ("Nich. Ethics," iv., 3). At best, however, the classical conception is only modesty, absence of assumption. It is an element of wisdom and in no way opposed to self-righteousness (see Aristotle above). The word for the Christian virtue of humility (ταπεινοφροσύνη), was not used before the Christian era, and is distinctly an outgrowth of the Gospel. This virtue is based upon a correct estimate of our actual littleness, and is linked with a sense of sinfulness. True greatness is holiness. We are little because sinful. Compare Luk 18:14. It is asked how, in this view of the case, the word can be applied to himself by the sinless Lord? "The answer is," says Archbishop Trench, "that for the sinner humility involves the confession of sin, inasmuch as it involves the confession of his true condition; while yet for the unfallen creature the grace itself as truly exists, involving for such the acknowledgment, not of sinfulness, which would be untrue, but of creatureliness, of absolute dependence, of having nothing, but receiving all things of God. And thus the grace of humility belongs to the highest angel before the throne, being as he is a creature, yea, even to the Lord of Glory himself. In his human nature he must be the pattern of all humility, of all creaturely dependence; and it is only as a man that Christ thus claims to be lowly; his human life was a constant living on the fulness of his Father's love; he evermore, as man, took the place which beseemed the creature in the presence of its Creator" ("Synonyms," p. 145). The Christian virtue regards man not only with reference to God, but to his fellow-man. In lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself (Phi 2:3, Rev.). But this is contrary to the Greek conception of justice or righteousness, which was simply "his own to each one." It is noteworthy that neither the Septuagint, the Apocrypha, nor the New Testament recognize the ignoble classical sense of the word.

Ye shall find (εὑρήσετε)

Compare I will give you and ye shall find. The rest of Christ is twofold - given and found. It is given in pardon and reconciliation. It is found under the yoke and the burden; in the development of Christian experience, as more and more the "strain passes over" from self to Christ. "No other teacher, since the world began, has ever associated learn with rest. 'Learn of me,' says the philosopher, 'and you shall find restlessness.' 'Learn of me,' says Christ, 'and you shall find rest'" (Drummond, "Natural Law in the Spiritual World").

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Take my yoke upon you - Believe in me: receive me as your prophet, priest, and king. For I am meek and lowly in heart - Meek toward all men, lowly toward God: and ye shall find rest - Whoever therefore does not find rest of soul, is not meek and lowly. The fault is not in the yoke of Christ: but in thee, who hast not taken it upon thee. Nor is it possible for any one to be discontented, but through want of meekness or lowliness.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Take my yoke upon you - Strange paradox! that a man already weary and overloaded must take a new weight upon him, in order to be eased and find rest! But this advice is similar to that saying, Psa 55:22. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he will sustain thee; i.e. trust thy soul and concerns to him, and he will carry both thyself and thy load. I am meek and lowly in heart - Wherever pride and anger dwell, there is nothing but mental labor and agony; but, where the meekness and humility of Christ dwell, all is smooth, even, peaceable, and quiet; for the work of righteousness is peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever. Isa 32:17.

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⁵ Blessed [3107] are the meek [4239]: for [3754] they [846] shall inherit [2816] the earth [1093].

³⁶ If [1437] the Son [5207] therefore [3767] shall make [1659] you [5209] free [1659], ye shall be [2071] free [1658] indeed [3689].

¹⁰ Now [3568] therefore [3767] why [5101] tempt ye [3985] God [2316], to put [2007] a yoke [2218] upon [1909] the neck [5137] of the disciples [3101], which [3739] neither [3777] our [2257] fathers [3962] nor [3777] we [2249] were able [2480] to bear [941]?

¹ Stand fast [4739] therefore [3767] in the liberty [1657] wherewith [3739] Christ [5547] hath made [1659] us [2248] free [1659], and [2532] be [1758] not [3361] entangled [1758] again [3825] with the yoke [2218] of bondage [1397].

¹⁴ The yoke [05923] of my transgressions [06588] is bound [08244] by his hand [03027]: they are wreathed [08276], and come up [05927] upon my neck [06677]: he hath made my strength [03581] to fall [03782], the Lord [0136] hath delivered [05414] me into their hands [03027], from whom I am not able [03201] to rise up [06965].

²⁷ It is good [02896] for a man [01397] that he bear [05375] the yoke [05923] in his youth [05271].

³⁸ Thou shalt carry [03318] much [07227] seed [02233] out [03318] into the field [07704], and shalt gather [0622] but little [04592] in [0622]; for the locust [0697] shall consume [02628] it.

¹³ I am the LORD [03068] your God [0430], which brought you forth [03318] out of the land [0776] of Egypt [04714], that ye should not be their bondmen [05650]; and I have broken [07665] the bands [04133] of your yoke [05923], and made you go [03212] upright [06968].

³ Let nothing [3367] be done through [2596] strife [2052] or [2228] vainglory [2754]; but [235] in lowliness of mind [5012] let [2233] each [240] esteem [2233] other [240] better than [5242] themselves [1438].

¹⁴ I tell [3004] you [5213], this man [3778] went down [2597] to [1519] his [846] house [3624] justified [1344] rather than [2228] the other [1565]: for [3754] every one [3956] that exalteth [5312] himself [1438] shall be abased [5013]; and [1161] he that humbleth [5013] himself [1438] shall be exalted [5312].

⁵ Blessed [3107] are the meek [4239]: for [3754] they [846] shall inherit [2816] the earth [1093].

¹³ And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken [08085] diligently [08085] unto my commandments [04687] which I command [06680] you this day [03117], to love [0157] the LORD [03068] your God [0430], and to serve [05647] him with all your heart [03824] and with all your soul [05315],
¹⁴ That I will give [05414] you the rain [04306] of your land [0776] in his due season [06256], the first rain [03138] and the latter rain [04456], that thou mayest gather [0622] in thy corn [01715], and thy wine [08492], and thine oil [03323].
¹⁵ And I will send [05414] grass [06212] in thy fields [07704] for thy cattle [0929], that thou mayest eat [0398] and be full [07646].
¹⁶ Take heed [08104] to yourselves, that your heart [03824] be not deceived [06601], and ye turn aside [05493], and serve [05647] other [0312] gods [0430], and worship [07812] them;
¹⁷ And then the LORD'S [03068] wrath [0639] be kindled [02734] against you, and he shut up [06113] the heaven [08064], that there be no rain [04306], and that the land [0127] yield [05414] not her fruit [02981]; and lest ye perish [06] quickly [04120] from off the good [02896] land [0776] which the LORD [03068] giveth [05414] you.
¹⁸ Therefore shall ye lay up [07760] these my words [01697] in your heart [03824] and in your soul [05315], and bind [07194] them for a sign [0226] upon your hand [03027], that they may be as frontlets [02903] between your eyes [05869].
¹⁹ And ye shall teach [03925] them your children [01121], speaking [01696] of them when thou sittest [03427] in thine house [01004], and when thou walkest [03212] by the way [01870], when thou liest [07901] down, and when thou risest up [06965].
²⁰ And thou shalt write [03789] them upon the door posts [04201] of thine house [01004], and upon thy gates [08179]:
²¹ That your days [03117] may be multiplied [07235], and the days [03117] of your children [01121], in the land [0127] which the LORD [03068] sware [07650] unto your fathers [01] to give [05414] them, as the days [03117] of heaven [08064] upon the earth [0776].

⁴ Hear [08085], O Israel [03478]: The LORD [03068] our God [0430] is one [0259] LORD [03068]:
⁵ And thou shalt love [0157] the LORD [03068] thy God [0430] with all thine heart [03824], and with all thy soul [05315], and with all thy might [03966].
⁶ And these words [01697], which I command [06680] thee this day [03117], shall be in thine heart [03824]:
⁷ And thou shalt teach them diligently [08150] unto thy children [01121], and shalt talk [01696] of them when thou sittest [03427] in thine house [01004], and when thou walkest [03212] by the way [01870], and when thou liest down [07901], and when thou risest up [06965].
⁸ And thou shalt bind [07194] them for a sign [0226] upon thine hand [03027], and they shall be as frontlets [02903] between thine eyes [05869].
⁹ And thou shalt write [03789] them upon the posts [04201] of thy house [01004], and on thy gates [08179].

³⁷ And the LORD [03068] spake [0559] unto Moses [04872], saying [0559],
³⁸ Speak [01696] unto the children [01121] of Israel [03478], and bid [0559] them that they make [06213] them fringes [06734] in the borders [03671] of their garments [0899] throughout their generations [01755], and that they put [05414] upon the fringe [06734] of the borders [03671] a ribband [06616] of blue [08504]:
³⁹ And it shall be unto you for a fringe [06734], that ye may look [07200] upon it, and remember [02142] all the commandments [04687] of the LORD [03068], and do [06213] them; and that ye seek [08446] not after [0310] your own heart [03824] and your own eyes [05869], after [0310] which ye use to go a whoring [02181]:
⁴⁰ That ye may remember [02142], and do [06213] all my commandments [04687], and be [01961] holy [06918] unto your God [0430].
⁴¹ I am the LORD [03068] your God [0430], which brought you out [03318] of the land [0776] of Egypt [04714], to be your God [0430]: I am the LORD [03068] your God [0430].

¹⁷ And the work [04639] of righteousness [06666] shall be peace [07965]; and the effect [05656] of righteousness [06666] quietness [08252] and assurance [0983] for [05704] ever [05769].

²² Cast [07993] thy burden [03053] upon the LORD [03068], and he shall sustain [03557] thee: he shall never [05769] suffer [05414] the righteous [06662] to be moved [04131].