Matthew11
New International Version
1After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
2When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples
3to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
4Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:
5The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.
6Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
7As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind?
8If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces.
9Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
10This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’
11Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it.
13For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.
14And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.
15Whoever has ears, let them hear.
16“To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
17“‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’
18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’
19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”
20Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.
21“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
23And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.
24But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
25At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
26Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
27“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Matthew 11.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Christ's preaching. (1). Christ's answer to John's disciples. (2–6). Christ's testimony to John the Baptist. (7–15). The perverseness of the Jews. (16–24). The gospel revealed to the simple. The heavy-laden invited. (25–30).
v1
Our Divine Redeemer never was weary of his labour of love; and we should not be weary of well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
vv2-6
Some think that John sent this inquiry for his own satisfaction. Where there is true faith, yet there may be a mixture of unbelief. The remaining unbelief of good men may sometimes, in an hour of temptation; call in question the most important truths. But we hope that John's faith did not fail in this matter, and that he only desired to have it strengthened and confirmed. Others think that John sent his disciples to Christ for their satisfaction. Christ points them to what they heard and saw. Christ's gracious condescensions and compassions to the poor, show that it was he that should bring to the world the tender mercies of our God. Those things which men see and hear, if compared with the Scriptures, direct in what way salvation is to be found. It is difficult to conquer prejudices, and dangerous not to conquer them; but those who believe in Christ, their faith will be found so much the more to praise, and honour, and glory.
vv7-15
What Christ said concerning John, was not only for his praise, but for the people's profit. Those who attend on the word will be called to give an account of their improvements. Do we think when the sermon is done, the care is over? No, then the greatest of the care begins. John was a self-denying man, dead to all the pomps of the world and the pleasures of sense. It becomes people, in all their appearances, to be consistent with their character and their situation. John was a great and good man, yet not perfect; therefore he came short of glorified saints. The least in heaven knows more, loves more, and does more in praising God, and receives more from him, than the greatest in this world. But by the kingdom of heaven here, is rather to be understood the kingdom of grace, the gospel dispensation in its power and purity. What reason we have to be thankful that our lot is cast in the days of the kingdom of heaven, under such advantages of light and love! Multitudes were wrought upon by the ministry of John, and became his disciples. And those strove for a place in this kingdom, that one would think had no right nor title to it, and so seemed to be intruders. It shows us what fervency and zeal are required of all. Self must be denied; the bent, the frame and temper of the mind must be altered. Those who will have an interest in the great salvation, will have it upon any terms, and not think them hard, nor quit their hold without a blessing. The things of God are of great and common concern. God requires no more from us than the right use of the faculties he has given us. People are ignorant, because they will not learn.
Key Words
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs): Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
γίνομαι (gínomai): to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
τελέω (teléō): to end, i.e. complete, execute, conclude, discharge (a debt)
διατάσσω (diatássō): to arrange thoroughly, i.e. (specially) institute, prescribe, etc.
αὐτός (autós): the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
δώδεκα (dṓdeka): two and ten, i.e. a dozen
μαθητής (mathētḗs): a learner, i.e. pupil
μεταβαίνω (metabaínō): to change place
ἐκεῖθεν (ekeîthen): thence
διδάσκω (didáskō): to teach (in the same broad application)
Cross References
Matthew 11Isaiah prophesied that when God comes to save, the blind see, deaf hear, and lame leap.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Directly quoted by Jesus to identify John the Baptist as the messenger preparing His way.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Prophetic promise of Elijah's coming, which Jesus declares is fulfilled in John the Baptist.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel account of Jesus thanking the Father for hiding truth from the wise and revealing it to babes.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Echoes the promise of finding 'rest for your souls' by walking in the good way.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Jesus points to His works as a greater witness to His identity than John's testimony.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Prophetic mandate of the Messiah preaching the gospel to the poor and comforting the brokenhearted.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallel discourse concerning John's identity, the reed in the wind, and soft clothing.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identical woes pronounced on Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for their unrepentance.
Supported by JFB
Capernaum's boast of being 'exalted to heaven' and its descent echoes the doom of Babylon.
Supported by JFB
Paul echoes how God chooses the foolish and weak to shame the wise and mighty.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Contrasts the 'soft raiment' of kings' houses with John's actual camel hair clothing.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Gabriel's prophecy that John would minister in the spirit and power of Elijah.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Exact parallel account describing the accusation of being a glutton and winebibber.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Prophecy of the coming King who is 'meek' and bringing salvation.
Supported by Matthew Henry