Study of Matthew

Matthew Chapter 11

Matthew 11:1 And 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.
2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:
5 The 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.
6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

There are several explanations as to why John asked this question:

We see a glimpse here of John The Baptist as a human being. First of all we know that John Baptized Jesus and the Spirit of God bore witness to John, "Behold the lamb of God which takes the sin of the world." See the difference. John was full of the Holy Spirit when He baptized Jesus, when he preached and at different times he recognized Jesus by the Spirit within him. I don't think he recognized Jesus as the one sent from God in the natural or because he was a distant relative.

While in prison perhaps John was in the flesh and had doubts. Perhaps he too was expecting an immediate kingdom to be set up as most of the Jews of that day expected. John though knew that the Messiah had to first take away sin but I wonder if he may have thought the final setting up of the kingdom would come immediately after and so he began to ask questions.

John knew that Jesus must increase and he must decrease. Perhaps also he just wanted to make sure Jesus was the one so that he could accept his own death easier.

Another thought is that John was steering his own followers away from himself and to Jesus.
We all do have a natural person within us. We are flesh. After we come to Christ we need to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and then walk in the spirit so that we do not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

At times though we may see things by the flesh rather than the spirit. When we do that we may just get things wrong.

Do we ever wonder why there is so many interpretations of the scriptures? That is because sometimes we:

Are receiving understanding by the flesh rather than the Holy Spirit.
Are receiving understanding according to those we have heard preach.
Are receiving understanding according to church tradition instead of diligently searching for the truth.

Jesus doesn't seem surprised that John asked after Him and wanted to make sure Jesus truly was the one and not look for another.

I kind of believe that John's motive may have been just to direct his own followers in the direction of Jesus and wanted them to be convinced that Jesus was the right one to follow at this time. This seems to be the most logical of all explanations.

The battle between the weakness of our flesh and the spirit is something to consider though. This may be why we have preachers that preach great anointed messages and at other times they get a few things wrong. They are still flesh and sometimes they may preach in the flesh rather than in the spirit.

It is any wonder then why our Lord saw fit to give us the written word in a volume so that we can search and study for ourselves. The only reason we would want to withhold the written word to the common man would be so that we can teach them our own agenda instead of the truth. I realize that the church withheld the bible from the common man for their own good at first thinking they would misinterpret and give way to heresy. Still though that thinking is flawed because our trust would be in our leadership instead of the divine will and power of God. If we get bad leadership, the whole body of believers would be flawed.

Heretics are not limited to the common uneducated ones though, the ones at the top suppressing the truth can be heretics since they are the ones doing the interpreting for everyone else. We must never suppress the truth from anyone or we will face the judgment of God.

Jesus said blessed are they that are not offended in Him. He does cause offense. Perhaps he is telling John not to be offended if he doesn't fulfill his own preconceived ideas of what the Messiah should be. Remember the Jews were expecting a great warrior and conqueror rather than a savior. That is why He could easily cause offense.

They saw the miracles and knew He was someone with the power of God and yet He would preach, "Repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand." People today are offended at the message of repentance. Many want an all positive gospel with no negative warnings.

They probably thought that it was the Romans that were the sinners, why should they have to repent. That is why it is hard to get religious people who already think they have a special pipe line to God, to repent and get right with God.

Matthew 11:7 And 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?
8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.

If they were looking for a great rich ruler or polished leader, it wouldn't be John for he was a regular guy, called for a purpose and willing to live in the wilderness and die in prison for the cause for which God appointed him.

Matthew 11:9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

This of foretold in Malachi 3:1:

Malachi 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
Matthew 11:11 Verily 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.

I don't believe any of us are greater than John the Baptist as a person exactly but we have the greater privilege of being born again by the Spirit and receiving the spirit of God after the resurrection of Jesus. John was still part of the old law that was to be fulfilled and done away with in Christ. All that come through Christ and are born anew by the Holy Spirit are new creatures in Christ and part of the kingdom heaven.

We see now that faith in Christ and receiving the Holy Spirit is greater than being a prophet in the old testament. That may be what is meant by being in the kingdom greater than John.

This is why we must not take the gifts of God lightly. Individuals and not just those called to be apostles, prophets and teachers are people that can be baptized with the Holy Spirit. It is available for men, women and children alike. Our part is to believe, seek and receive these good gifts from God.

Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

Not many received the kingdom of heaven before John the Baptist came. The only ones were a few prophets and those chosen for a service. The general public did not really seek God in the Old Testament times. Beginning with John the Baptist, we see people from all walks of life storming into the kingdom of God by faith. Tax collectors, fishermen, children, women and many on the day of Pentecost. It was similar to taking something by force or violence. Something different was happening. This wonderful gift of salvation is for individuals who will come to Christ.

Another interpretation of this is that the beheading of John the Baptist and crucifixion of Jesus shows the act of force. There might be other interpretations of that verse but we do know that since Jesus came many began to receive Him as we see in the first few chapters of Acts.

Matthew 11:14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.

John the Baptist was representative of Elijah that was promised to come before the coming of the Lord. Some believe Elijah will also come before the second coming of Jesus, and he is one of the two witnesses who will come along with Enoch. Some say, Moses and Elijah. Some say it will be Enoch and John believing that John never really died any natural death. These are points to ponder not argue over. They are very interesting to me to study.

Matthew 11:15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
16 But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
17 And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.

I've read a few articles where people use this verse to justify praise dancing in the church. This is an illustration Jesus used to show how the Jewish people of that day rejected the truth that walked among them. He was not ushering in a new praise and worship dance or justifying anything of the sort but rather showing that the people that were hearing the word but were not responding, not repenting. They were ignoring the word of God which is able to save their souls. I'm not saying any kind of worship involving dancing is right or wrong, just saying that this verse is not one to use to justify it.

The gospel here is given to the Jews first and it is given with signs following confirming the word. They were without excuse. It was given fervently, similar to musicians playing at a festival and people not dancing and responding to the music. The gospel was preached but with little response by the Jewish people of that day.

Matthew 11:18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
19 The 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.

John limited his diet and didn't socialize. He came for a purpose and fulfilled that purpose. He lived by what he could get out in the wilds and did not drink strong drink. He was accused of being of the devil because he was not like everyone else.

Jesus ate and drank what was set before Him and mingled with sinners in order to save them. He was accused of being a glutton and winebibber but was not.

People who reject truth will find fault with the one who brings the truth.

Wisdom is justified of her children. According to Dake's commentary, Wisdom has seen fit to justify both courses (taken by John and Jesus) but hypocrites condemn any course taken by any godly man, for they seek to justify their acts of darkness and rejection of truth.

My comments: The proof of wisdom is in the action it produces. We know them by their fruits. Jesus produced perfect fruit and no one really could find any fault in Him.

Matthew 11:20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
21 Woe 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.

Jesus mentions Tyre and Sidon which were destroyed for their sins as was Sodom and Gomorrah but those that hear the gospel and do nothing about it will suffer the same judgment as the evil cities that God allowed to be destroyed.

How many of us would accept a preacher that upbraided us for our sins? Lots of people want someone to come and say how God is going to bless them and that they are in His favor, especially if big offerings are given. They love it when one says, "God loves us just the way we are". Many would reject one that came and said we have to repent. Try to picture for a moment what the Lord was up against. Before we criticize the Jews, we must realize that sometimes we are no different.

Matthew 11:22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
23 And 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.
24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
25 At 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.

Those who acknowledge that they are sinners in need of repentance are the babes. Those that have the wisdom of this world and think they have no need of repentance are the ones the true wisdom is hidden from.

Matthew 11:26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
27 All 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.

We absolutely cannot be reconciled back to the Father in heaven except through the Son, Jesus Christ. There is no other way to get to God. The Holy Spirit is the one that reveals to us any truth.

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Jesus does not put burdens upon His followers that they cannot possibly bear. It is those with many manmade traditions, doctrines and commandments of men that make things impossible to achieve.

The gospel is simple. Yes we give up our own lives and live for Him but then He bears our burdens and takes on our sorrows. He makes the way shine before us and gives the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us. His yoke is easy and His burden truly is light. In Him is rest for our souls. The biggest burden we carry is the burden of sin. That burden is removed the moment we find Jesus Christ and our sins are removed and forgiven. DC

Matthew 12