Matthew
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Matthew 11
Matthew 11
1And it came to pass when Jesus had finished commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and preach in their cities.
2Now when John heard in the prison the works of the Christ, he sent by his disciples 3and said unto him, Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another?
1And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
2Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
3And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
Commentary · verses 1-3
4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and tell John the things which ye hear and see: 5the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good tidings preached to them.
6And blessed is he, whosoever shall find no occasion of stumbling in me.
4Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:
5The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
6And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
Commentary · verses 4-6
Jesus gave a list of things He would do without listing freeing prisoners. Jesus was telling John, in code, that He was not going to be set free. Actually, verse 6 was Jesus telling John that he would be blessed.
7And as these went their way, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? a reed shaken with the wind?
8But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft raiment are in kings’ houses.
9But wherefore went ye out? to see a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.
10This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who shall prepare thy way before thee.
11Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not arisen a greater than John the Baptist: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
7And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
8But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
9But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
10For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
11Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Commentary · verses 7-11
John the Baptist is the greatest of those born of women but those who are "little" in the kingdom of heaven will be greater than him. Remember, the kingdom of heaven is now. Those who can humble themselves even more than John the Baptist can be greater than him.
12And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and men of violence take it by force.
12And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
Commentary · verse 12
This oft misunderstood verse can be interpreted as: "...the kingdom of heaven is pressed upon by people trying to seize it and the energetic people take it by seizing it."
13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14And if ye are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, that is to come.
13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
Commentary · verses 13-14
Jesus confirmed that John the Baptist was the spiritual Elijah to come that was prophesied about in Malachi 3.
15He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
16But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the marketplaces, who call unto their fellows 17and say, We piped unto you, and ye did not dance; we wailed, and ye did not mourn.
18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a demon.
19The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold, a gluttonous man and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! And wisdom is justified by her works.
15He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
16But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
17And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.
18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
19The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
Commentary · verses 15-19
This passage showed Jesus using the principle of non-contradiction: John came neither eating nor drinking and he was reviled. Jesus came eating and drinking and He was reviled. It did not matter what John and Jesus did, there was nothing they could do to be accepted because the people of that time contradicted themselves. "Wisdom is justified by her works": "Wisdom" is making profitable decisions. This was a causality verse. Wisdom's works are the effects of profitable decisions.
Doctrines on this passage
20Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not.
21Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment, than for you.
23And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be exalted unto heaven? thou shalt go down unto Hades: for if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in thee, it would have remained until this day.
24But I say unto you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
20Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
21Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
23And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
24But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
Commentary · verses 20-24
Jesus predicted judgment on these unbelieving cities. Jesus also stated the judgment would be more and less tolerable. This passage showed us that cities would be judged, and the judgment would be to a greater or lesser degree as a result of Justice.
Doctrines on this passage
25At that season Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes:
25At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
Commentary · verse 25
The things Jesus spoke (truth) were hidden from the wise and understanding. However, what Jesus was talking about were those who professed to be wise: the proud. Only those who are humble (babes) will see the truth Jesus spoke.
26yea, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in thy sight.
27All things have been delivered unto me of my Father: and no one knoweth the Son, save the Father; neither doth any know the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal him.
28Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
26Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
27All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Commentary · verses 26-29
Christ was/is humble.
Doctrines on this passage
30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Commentary · verse 30
Christ was showing us He will give rest to our souls. Christ's "yoke is easy." We must only empty ourselves and let the Holy Spirit flow through. Rest meant to "cease from the occupation of being a first cause." This meant allowing the Holy Spirit to be the first cause by directing our actions. This definition of rest was critical in the next story.
Some scholars see this chapter as the end of Jesus' Year of Popularity and see the next chapter as the beginning of Jesus' Year of Opposition.
In prison, John (through his disciples) asked Jesus if He was the one that cometh: the Messiah. John the Baptist knew that Jesus was the Messiah. John was at Jesus' baptism. Why would John ask this? According to Zechariah 9:11, the Messiah would set prisoners free. John wanted to know if Jesus was going to help him get out of prison, and he was asking this "in code." Jesus and John the Baptist were both Rabbis and Rabbis taught and communicated through stories and asking questions.