Matthew 11 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Matthew 11

Messengers from John the Baptist

11:1 When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers¹ are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man² dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet?³ Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written,

“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’

11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence,⁴ and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear,⁵ let him hear.

16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,

17 “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”⁶

Woe to Unrepentant Cities

20 Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”

Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest

25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.⁷ 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Footnotes

[1] 11:5 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13
[2] 11:8 Or Why then did you go out? To see a man . . .
[3] 11:9 Some manuscripts Why then did you go out? To see a prophet?
[4] 11:12 Or has been coming violently
[5] 11:15 Some manuscripts omit to hear
[6] 11:19 Some manuscripts children (compare Luke 7:35)
[7] 11:26 Or for so it pleased you well

Commentary

v1-3: The ministry of John Baptist, who is later killed, 14.1-12. There is a period of overlap with his ministry and Christ's. Apparently, John's early confidence (John 1.19-36; 3.27-36) has now given way to doubts and questions. We do find that trials and difficulties come into our lives.

Chapters 11 to 19 provide explanation; why Christ came, and what is expected of those who follow Him.

v4-6: Proof that Jesus is the Messiah. John has not witnessed Jesus' miracles, since he is working elsewhere. Jesus' message to his followers is to tell John "what you hear and see."

There is blessing on the one who does not fall away, the one who continues to believe, in spite of difficult circumstances.

v7-11: Jesus' commendation of John;

not a reed shaken by the wind; a man of power and authority;
not dressed in fine clothes; a life of austerity;
more than a prophet, for John fulfils the prophecies of the forerunner to precede the coming of the Messiah.

Jesus' hearers, being Jews, would understand the relevance of these words, including the implication that He is the Messiah.

v12-13: See 8.11-12; the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, referring to something new. The law and the prophets precede John; but some who are considered Jews are not really Jews, for the "subjects of the kingdom" are "outside." Thus, we see that John and Jesus together bring in a dramatic change for the Jewish people.

v14-15: The striking testimony, that John "is the Elijah." See Mal 4.5-6; a further indication of Jesus' claim to be the Messiah.

v16-17: The parable of the differences in ministry; John the austere and frugal, living in the desert; Jesus the Messiah, enjoying weddings and feasts. But as God called through His servants, many respond to neither.

v18-19: Not only do the people not repent and believe, but they find ways to condemn both John and Jesus; see 10.24-25. Matthew is clear that both have the wisdom and calling of God.

v20-24: Jesus' message of repentance, from 4.17. This is His constant call to sinners; sorrow over individual sins, and a deliberate decision to turn from them.

The judgment upon the cities of His day is greater, since it will be "more tolerable" for Tyre and Sidon. There are therefore 'degrees' of judgment; of those to whom more light is given, more is demanded.

If mighty works do not bring repentance, they confirm them in unbelief. The key question is, 'What is your response?'

v25-26: Judgment on the wisdom of the world; the Father reveals His precious truths to "little children." They are trusting and teachable, and through them God is glorified, 1 Cor 1.27-29.

v27: Judgment on the religion of the world, for true religion centres on the Son, and true understanding comes only from the Father (1 Cor 2.10, 13).

Only when the Son "wills" can anyone come to Him. From John 3, we see that we are born again before we believe, for He enables us to do so. Yet we do not see the Lord as being sparing in His favours; here is the generous God, bringing multitudes into His family.

Matthew insists that the Son of God is God the Son, the perfect revelation of the Father. We can only know the Father through the Son, John 14.1-11.

v28: Invitation, to those who are weary, not worthy; we have rest from our burdens. Rest is not the opposite of tiredness; it is the opposite of rest-lestness; such as obsessive behaviours.

It is said that the synagogue benediction referred to the yoke of the kingdom of God and the yoke of the Jewish commandments. So, Christ’s invitation to bear his yoke, is a striking contrast.

v29: Challenge, to be teachable, learning from Him; there is the promise of rest for our souls (Jer 6.16). He is gentle and humble in heart, and we come to a person, not a religion. Here is submission to Him, Deut 22.10; those who are yoked are going the same way. Further, His commandments are not burdensome, and His service is real freedom.

v30: Encouragement, for His yoke is easy, unlike the yoke of the world, whether in religion and law, or sins and pleasure-seeking.