φορτίζω (phortizō)
phortizō
to burden
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb phortizō means to place a heavy load on something or someone. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, both times in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. It describes the act of burdening a person with weight, whether physical or metaphorical.
In Luke 11:46, Jesus uses this word to criticize religious leaders who "load" people with difficult demands and strict rules that are hard to bear. This usage highlights the unfairness of imposing heavy obligations on others. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus invites those who are "heavy laden" or burdened to come to Him for rest. Here, the word conveys a sense of exhaustion from carrying too much.
The root of phortizō relates to freight or cargo, emphasizing the substantial nature of the load. Translators often render it as "burden" or "load," capturing the idea of something oppressive. This word reminds readers of the contrast between heavy religious demands and the relief found in Jesus’ invitation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word phortizō describes placing a heavy freight or cargo on someone. In the New Testament, it appears in two distinct contexts that highlight the weight we carry. Jesus uses this imagery to contrast the exhausting demands of religious legalism with His own gentle invitation. He notices when people are worn out by rules that go beyond what is necessary.
When you feel weighed down by expectations or guilt, this word offers a clear picture of relief. It reminds us that faith is not about carrying impossible loads alone. Instead, Jesus invites those who are heavy laden to find rest in Him. This promise speaks to anyone seeking peace from the pressure to perform or prove themselves.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you burden1×
- burdened,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- φορτίζετε1×
- πεφορτισμένοι,1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.
This verse shows Jesus using the word to invite the exhausted to find rest in Him, offering relief from heavy loads.
-
Luke 11:46
He said, “Woe to you lawyers also! For you load men with burdens that are difficult to carry, and you yourselves won’t even lift one finger to help carry those burdens.
Here Jesus criticizes religious leaders for imposing difficult burdens on others while refusing to help carry them.