MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 11:1 Opposition to the Messiah Increases.
There has been occasional resistance to Jesus’ ministry (e.g.,
Matthew 9:3). It now begins to increase significantly, as seen first
in the honest questions of John the Baptist (Matthew 11:2), then in
the hostility of the Jewish religi... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 11:2 JOHN 1:1 was put IN PRISON by Herod
Antipas (see Matthew 14:1).
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MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 11:3 ARE YOU THE ONE WHO IS TO COME? John is
probably concerned because his current imprisonment does not match his
understanding of the Coming One’s arrival. He thought the Messiah
would bless those who repented and judge those who did not (see note
on 3:11). Jesus’ ministry... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 11:6 BLESSED IS THE ONE WHO IS NOT OFFENDED
BY ME. Jesus’ words are a mild rebuke to John and his disciples.
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MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 11:10 WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY. See note on
3:3.
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MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 11:11 Jesus contrasts human birth (THOSE
BORN OF WOMEN) with the new birth into the kingdom of heaven. GREATER
THAN HE. Those IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN have the greater privilege
because they have actually entered the kingdom and take part in the
new covenant through the blood... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 11:12 SUFFERED VIOLENCE... THE VIOLENT TAKE
IT BY FORCE. This probably indicates opposition from the religious
leaders and people like Herod Antipas, though it may be picturing
forceful self-denial.
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MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 11:13 ALL THE PROPHETS AND THE LAW
PROPHESIED UNTIL JOHN. John the Baptist was the last of a long line of
prophets who looked forward to Christ’s coming.
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MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 11:14 HE IS ELIJAH WHO IS TO COME. Malachi
prophesied that “Elijah” would prepare the way for the Messiah
(Malachi 3:1; Malachi 4:5; see note on Mal. 4:4–6). John’s earlier
denial that he was Elijah (John 1:21) was probably an attempt to
correct a popular belief that Elijah h... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 11:16 THIS GENERATION. The crowds and the
religious leaders who have rejected John’s and Jesus’ ministries.
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MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 11:17 WE PLAYED THE FLUTE... AND YOU DID NOT
DANCE. The people reject the gospel because John and Jesus do not meet
their expectations.
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MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 11:18 NEITHER EATING NOR DRINKING. Some
apparently accused John of demonic influence because of his appearance
and simple lifestyle. SON OF MAN CAME EATING AND DRINKING. Jesus’
association with those in need of spiritual healing, and his refusal
to fast according to Pharisaic... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 11:20 CHORAZIN was just northwest of
Capernaum. For BETHSAIDA and CAPERNAUM, see note on Luke 9:10. SODOM
was the ultimate example of a “city of sin” (see Genesis 18:20).
Yet, Jesus says, even Sodom would have repented if it had witnessed
his miracles and the reality of the k... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 11:25 THESE THINGS. The message and
activities of the kingdom of heaven, which require faith and humility
to grasp. WISE AND UNDERSTANDING. Those who are wise in the world’s
eyes but who stubbornly refuse to accept the gospel. LITTLE CHILDREN.
Those who receive the gospel in... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 11:27 ALL THINGS HAVE BEEN HANDED OVER TO ME
BY MY FATHER. This reveals Jesus’ understanding of who he is. It
also shows the supreme authority of God the Father within the Trinity.
“All things” probably refers to everything needed to carry out
Christ’s ministry of redemption.... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 11:28 ALL WHO LABOR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN
refers in the first instance to those oppressed by the religious
legalism imposed on people by the scribes and Pharisees.
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MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 11:29 YOKE. The wooden frame joining two
animals (usually oxen) for pulling heavy loads. It was a metaphor for
one person’s relationship to another, and also a common metaphor for
the law. The Pharisees’ interpretation of the law, with its
extensive list of rules, had become... [ Continue Reading ]