Desmeuo denotes restraining by binding, whether people are put in prison or burdens are laid on others.

The attested uses chiefly describe restraining people through binding or imprisonment, while Matthew 23:4 applies the action to fastening heavy burdens upon people.

1. Restraining people by binding or imprisonment · dominant

   In Acts 22:4, the present active participle occurs with persecuting, delivering men and women into prisons; the APB renders the clause "binding and delivering both men and women into prisons." In Luke 8:29, the imperfect passive form describes the man as bound with chains and fetters while being kept; the APB renders "he was bound with chains and fetters."

   Acts 22:4Luke 8:29
2. Fastening burdens upon people · occasional

   In Matthew 23:4, the present active plural form is followed by laying heavy burdens on people's shoulders; the APB renders, "They bind heavy burdens and lay them on the shoulders of people."

   Matthew 23:4

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB presents the term with "binding" in Acts 22:4, "was bound" in Luke 8:29, and "bind heavy burdens" in Matthew 23:4. These renderings confirm the clauses' contexts.