What Is a Burden?

A burden is a heavy load—something that makes you feel crushed, tired, and like you can’t ever do enough.

Jesus said some religious leaders did exactly that:

“They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders…”
— Matthew 23:4

Those “heavy burdens” are when people add extra rules and pressure like:
“God might accept you… but only if you keep all these legalistic rules.”

Then Jesus said the opposite. He invited the tired and weighed-down people to come to Him:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden… For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
— Matthew 11:28–30 (KJV)

So Jesus was not calling people into fear, pressure, and rule-keeping to earn God’s love.
He was calling people to Him—to forgiveness, mercy, and rest—and then to follow Him from that place.