Matthew 11:1. This verse probably belongs to this section, since it is entirely disconnected from Matthew 11:2. HE DEPARTED THENCE. He continued His own labors as before, the Apostles being merely helpers. ‘Thence,' _i.e.,_ from the place where the discourse was delivered, probably in the neighbor... [ Continue Reading ]
Peculiar to Matthew, though some of the sayings occur in the other Gospels. As such trials and emergencies did not occur on this journey, some suppose this part of the discourse was uttered at a later period. But Matthew, himself an Apostle, would be most likely to give the whole discourse. The Twel... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:2. N OW WHEN JOHN HEARD IN THE PRISON (according to Josephus, the fortress of Machaerus, situated on the border of Perea near the desert; next to Jerusalem the strongest fortress of the Jews) _the works of Christ._ According to Luke (Luke 7:18), John's disciples had told him or such mirac... [ Continue Reading ]
INTRODUCTORY NOTE. The sending out of the Twelve probably called into open manifestation the opposition of the Pharisees: hence Matthew groups the events indicating this hostility, without regard to chronological order. The Twelve were not sent forth until after the period covered by chaps. 11 - 13.... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:3. ART THOU HE THAT COMETH, _i.e.,_ the Messiah, OR DO WE LOOK FOR ANOTHER. Explanations: (1) John was temporarily in depression and doubt, respecting the slow and unostentatious mode of Christ's manifestation, and the true nature of his kingdom. (2) John's disciples (not himself) were in... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:4. GO AND TELL JOHN, ETC. Our Lord sends a message to John, but does not instruct his disciples.... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:5. THE BLIND RECEIVE THEIR SIGHT, or ‘see again.' The word means this when applied to the blind. In other cases, ‘to look up.' THE DEAD ARE RAISED UP. The raising of the daughter of Jairus probably took place afterwards, but the miracle in Nain certainly preceded. THE POOR HAVE THE GOS... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:6. AND BLESSED IS HE, etc. This recalls Isaiah 8:14. OFFENDED, _i.e.,_ ‘made to stumble.' This does not upbraid, but cautions, implying that Christ knew best what to do in His kingdom. Result of the message: we may well believe that John was not taken away as a martyr to righteousness w... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:7. AND AS THEY DEPARTED. In Luke 7:24-35, we find an almost exact parallel to Matthew 11:7-19. The comment follows at once, to uphold the character of John, which might have been undervalued in consequence of his message. But he is not praised in the presence of his disciples. THE MULTI... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:8. BUT WHAT: ‘if it was not that, what was it,' etc. A MAN CLOTHED IN SOFT RAIMENT? An allusion to the coarseness of John's clothing (chap. Matthew 4:3). BEHOLD. This is equivalent to, ‘oh no, such are not found in the wilderness.' IN KINGS' HOUSES; not in kings' prisons. An allusio... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:9. TO SEE A PROPHET. To this the crowd would answer ‘yes' (comp. ch. Matthew 21:26). But our Lord adds, Yea, most certainly, I SAY UNTO YOU, I who can speak with authority on the subject, AND MUCH MORE THAN A PROPHET. John saw and pointed out Him whom the prophets only predicted, and he w... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:10. IT IS WRITTEN. MALACHI 3:1. The last of the prophets had foretold of John. His office as forerunner of Christ made him greater than them all. BEHOLD I SEND MY MESSENGER BEFORE THY FACE; etc. The original prophecy is: ‘Behold I send my messenger before _my_ face,' etc. (The latter par... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:11. VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU. Only _One_ could thus speak concerning the greatest ‘born of women.' THERE HATH NOT RISEN; been raised into prominence by God. BORA OF WOMEN. Among mankind in general. Christ was ‘born of a woman' (Galatians 4:4), but this differs from the phrase here used a... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:12. AND FROM THE DAYS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST UNTIL NOW. A period of not much more than a year, it is supposed. THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN SUFFERETH VIOLENCE, or ‘is assaulted by storm' (in a good sense, referring to the excitement and earnest endeavor awakened in the brief period since John appe... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:13. For. A proof of the coming in of the new era. ALL THE PROPHETS AND THE LAW, _i.e.,_ the whole Old Testament. PROPHESIED. Only ‘prophesied.' ‘The law' is also a prophecy, even its ceremonies point to Christ. UNTIL JOHN. Including him as the last of the series, still belonging to... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:14. AND IF YE ARE WILLING TO RECEIVE IT. The Jews expected that Elijah would rise from the dead, hence many would not receive it. The popular notions on the whole subject of prophecy were incorrect; for in the day of fulfilment our Lord thus prefaces an explanation. HE IS ELIJAH, etc. Ma... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:15. HE THAT HATH EARS TO HEAR, etc. This usually follows an important statement, intimating that he who has the discernment to understand will find the deeper meaning. Here it suggests: Christ meant more than that John was Elijah, that he Himself was the Messiah. Then, as now, properly to... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:16. THIS GENERATION, _i.e.,_ the people then living in Judea. CHILDREN, etc. These children are represented as idling in public places, SITTING IN THE MARKET-PLACES.... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:17. One set of children is represented as having invited another set to play, first in a mock wedding and then in a mock funeral, but the latter would not join them. Explanations: (1) The children calling, represent John and Jesus, but these two earnest preachers would not be likened to i... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:18. FOR. An evidence of the petulant spirit (so Matthew 11:19). JOHN CAME NEITHER EATING NOR DRINKING. He came as a prophet, and living in a peculiar manner, ‘neither eating bread nor drinking wine' (Luke 7:33); ‘his meat was locusts and wild honey' (chap. Matthew 3:4). AND THEY SAY,... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:19. THE SON OF MAN. Peculiarly appropriate here, where our Lord speaks of Himself, as appearing in His exalted mission, EATING AND DRINKING, like all other men; going to places of festivity, such as the wedding at Cana, the feast at the house of Levi, identifying Himself with men in their... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:20. THEN BEGAN HE. Probably ‘pointing to a pause or change of manner of our Lord.' TO UPBRAID. Often used of men in a bad sense, here, implying moral disapproval and righteous indignation. WHEREIN MOST OF HIS MIGHTY WORKS WERE DONE. Probably only the smallest part of our Lord's miracl... [ Continue Reading ]
This section is a continuation of the preceding discourse. The comparison between the children of ‘this generation' and ‘wisdom' which is justified by her works, is, on the one hand, sharpened into a declaration of judgment against the unrepentant cities He had visited, and, on the other, expanded i... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:21. The places of less importance come first CHORAZIN. Mentioned only here and Luke 10:13. Probably identical with the ruins of Kerazeh. BETHSAIDA. A city of Galilee (John 12:21); the home of Peter, of Andrew, and of Philip (John 1:44; John 12:21). Mark mentions the name twice (Mark 6:... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:22. BUT I SAY UNTO YOU, IT SHALL BE MORE TOLERABLE, etc. An authoritative judgment as to the measure of human responsibility. The final decision IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT would be His also.... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:23. CAPERNAUM, SHALT THOU BE EXALTED UNTO HEAVEN? The correct reading is a question anticipating a negative answer: Nay, thou shalt go down, etc. The place, as the centre of our Lord's activity, enjoyed special privileges. In wealth Capernaum could not be compared with Sodom; its lofty si... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:24. A future judgment is referred to, since our Lord speaks of what _shall take place_ with regard to Sodom, which had been so long destroyed. The inhabitants had not been annihilated.... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:25. AT THAT SEASON. Probably immediately after the denunciation just recorded. ANSWERED. Not necessarily to an oral question, nor even to the thoughts of the listeners. The ascription of praise seems rather an answer to His Heavenly Father. I THANK THEE, ‘I fully confess, thankfully a... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:26. YEA, THAT IT WAS WELL-PLEASING IN THY SIGHT. Praise for His ‘good pleasure' which involves His wisdom, prudence, and goodness. When men deny these qualities or we cannot fully perceive them, we may still praise His ‘good pleasure,' as our Master did.... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:27. ALL THINGS, whether of judgment or salvation, of hiding or revealing. WERE DELIVERED UNTO ME BY MY FATHER. ‘All things were by the Father brought into connection with, and subordination to the economy instituted by Christ.' His power as King extends over both, the lost and saved.... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:28. COME UNTO ME. Christ now shows first of all His _willingness_ (comp. Matthew 11:27) in this invitation. ALL YE THAT LABOUR, etc., ‘all the laboring and the burdened.' A figurative description of men seeking to become holy by external acts of righteousness. The immediate reference is... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:29. TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU. The Jews called the law a ‘ _yoke_.' Our Lord here refers to His rule, doctrine, and leadership. AND LEARN OF ME. Either, take pattern from me, or as the context suggests, become my disciples. FOR I AM MEEK AND LOWLY IN HEART, not in appearance merely, as th... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:30. FOR MY YOKE IS EASY (wholesome) AND MY BURDEN IS LIGHT. The ‘yoke' answers to those ‘laboring;' the ‘burden' to those ‘heavy laden.' Christ does not promise freedom from labor and burdens, but promises that we shall be so changed as to find them ‘wholesome' and light. Christ indeed de... [ Continue Reading ]