Matthew 11

Teaching - Ministry of John - Elijah. Rest in YHVH

11:1,2. Miracles.
11:3-6. Effects.
11:7-30. Teaching.

Matthew 11:1 And it came to pass, when Jesus

(Gr. Iesous, Heb. Yahshua)

had made an end of commanding His twelve disciples, He departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.

(Continuing His mission [4:17].

After Jesus ended His teaching time with His disciples, He left them and went on to other cities alone preaching and teaching. His disciples went their ways also preaching and healing as they went to the Lost House of Israel. It is good to teach, however before you teach, you must learn what should be taught and understand it yourself.)

2 Now when John had heard in the prison

(John's arrest had been mentioned in 4:12)

the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

(Sent as envoys. This is not the same mission as in Luke 7. (1) in this [the former] no number of those sent is given: in the later there were "two" [Luke 7:19]. The antecedents and consequences are different. (2) In the former, the 12 had just been appointed, which may have raised questions in John's mind; in the later, the antecedent was the raising of the widow's son, before the calling of the 12. (3) In the former case, the Lord called them to see and note what He was then doing, "which you are hearing and seeing" [v.4]. In the later case, they are to tell John "what you have seen and heard" [v.22]. The different consequences and repetitions suited to the different circumstances.

John the Baptist will be beheaded shortly after this.)

3 And said unto Him, "Art thou He that should come,

(Ps. 118:28. Gen. 49:10. Isa. 35:4. Ezek. 21:27. Zech. 9:9)

or do we look for another?"

(John knew from his study of the Minor Prophets that there were two Advents, and John's question here was not questioning whether Jesus was the Christ, for he knew that; John was inquiring if there was still a second Advent yet to come, besides His coming as a child.)

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,

(There is no article in this verse because only some of each are meant. Not all the blind &c. There were the miracles foretold by Him [Isa. 35:5.6; 61:1]. No others would have sufficed as His credentials)

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.

(When you see all six of these events taking place, one thing is obvious, and that is that salvation has come. This is the Advent of salvation, not for the advent of King of kings, and Lord of lords, as He will come for the Millennium kingdom. Christ has come to bring knowledge and salvation, and not to rule with a rod of iron.)

6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in Me."

(This means blessed is he [or she] that hears those teachings and understands them.)

11:7-30. TEACHING.

7-9. Ministry of John.
10. Word of God. Fulfillment of "Messenger".
11-13. Ministry of John.
14,15. Word of God. Fulfillment of Elijah.
16-24. Ministry of Messiah.
25-30. Will of God.

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?

(John didn't change his mind every 5 min. God doesn't like flip-floppers as teachers.

John wasn't that way. He had only one message that he cried out. "Repent", and many did.)

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.

(John was not like any other preacher, for there was no sugar coating of God's Word when he spoke. He came right out and proclaimed; Ye hypocrites, Repent." He was direct, to the point, and bold.)

9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.

(In the spirit of Elijah. See 1 Pet. 4:2-11)

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.'

(Quoted from Mal. 3:1)

11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women

(A Hebraism. See Job 14:1; 15:14; 25:4)

there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least

(I.e. younger, meaning Himself)

in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

(I.e. John. John was only proclaiming it [but not "in" it]. The kingdom was rejected both as announced by John [3:3], by Christ [4:17], and by Peter [Acts 2:38; 3:19-26]; and, since its final rejection in Acts 28:25,26, is postponed, and is now in abeyance. See Heb. 2:8 ["not yet"]. The possessor is greater than the proclaimer)

* THE "KINGDOM OF HEAVEN" AND THE "KINGDOM OF GOD".
The word "kingdom", like the Greek basileia, has regard to sovereignty rather than territory, and to the sphere of its exercise rather than to its extent.

Using the word "kingdom" in this sense, and in that which is conveyed in its English termination "dom", which is short for dominion, we note that the former expression, "the Kingdom of heaven", occurs only in Matthew, where we find it thirty-two times (*1).

But in the parallel passages in the other Gospels we find, instead, the expression "the Kingdom of God" (e.g. cp. Matt. 11:11 with Luke 7:28).

The explanation of this seeming difference is that the Lord spoke in Aramaic; certainly not in the Greek of the Gospel documents.

Now "heaven" is frequently used by the Figure Metonymy (of the Subject), for God Himself, Whose dwelling is there. See Ps. 73:9. Dan. 4:26, 29. 2Chron. 32:20. Matt. 21:25. Luke 15:21 ("I have sinned against heaven" is thus contrasted with the words "and in thy sight"). John 3:27.

Our suggestion is that in all the passages where the respective expressions occur, identical words were spoken by the Lord, "the Kingdom of heaven"; but when it came to putting them into Greek, Matthew was Divinely guided to retain the figure of speech literally ("heaven"), so as to be in keeping with the special character, design, and scope of his Gospel; while, in the other Gospels, the figure was translated as being what it also meant, "the Kingdom of God".

Thus, while the same in a general sense, the two expressions are to be distinguished in their meaning and in their interpretation, as follows :--



I.  The Kingdom (or Sovereignty) of HEAVEN
  1.  Has Messiah for its King;
  2.  It is from heaven; and under the heavens upon the earth;
  3.  It is limited in its scope;
  4.  It is political in its sphere;
  5.  It is Jewish and exclusive in its character;
  6.  It is national in its aspect;
  7.  It is the special subject of Old Testament prophecy;
  8.  And it is dispensational in its duration.

II.  The Kingdom (or Sovereignty) of GOD
  1.  Has God for its Ruler;
  2.  It is in heaven, over the earth;
  3.  It is unlimited in its scope;
  4.  It is moral and spiritual in its sphere;
  5.  It is inclusive in its character (embracing the natural and spiritual seeds of
       Abraham, "the heavenly calling", and the "Church" of the Mystery).  Hence,
  6.  It is universal in its aspect;
  7.  It is (in its wider aspect) the subject of New Testament revelation;
  8.  And will be eternal in its duration.

(*1) The Kingdom of God occurs only five times in Matt. (6:33; 12:28; 19:24; 21:31, 43).

* Appendix 114 of the Companion Bible

12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence,

(A discovery containing the regulations as to approaching the healing divinity of the sanctuary: "If any one forces himself in, his offering was not acceptable." Those who fulfilled the conditions had the founders good wishes. This last clause is conclusive and agree with Luke 16:16)

and the violent take it by force.

(See Rev. 12:7,8.

From the violence that jailed John the Baptist, that claimed his life, this force will continue in power and force until the kingdom of heaven comes to earth. That day will be close of this earth age, at the sounding of the seventh trumpet. At that time our Lord Jesus Christ will return for the second advent. We are entering a time when violence is becoming far worse then before, but when Satan the Antichrist returns to earth, the violence is not a physical violence, but spiritual violence and that force will claim the spiritual life of all mankind, except for God's elect.

The violence of the end times is by mental anguish, cruelty, and punishment, which comes from the Antichrist claiming something that he is not. It will be Satan in the role of Antichrist standing up and claiming to be Christ, and having the world believe it; and they will. As we get closer to the coming of the Antichrist, pay attention to the spiritually forceful ones becoming more violent in the push to place their false peace accords in place. You will know them by the words that come out of their mouths. The peace that they offer is a false peace, and the words that they say are lies.)

13 For all the prophets

(See Acts 3:21)

and the law prophesied until John.

(All would have been fulfilled then had the nation repented.)

14 And if

(Assuming it as a fact)

ye will receive it,

(They did not)

this is Elias,

(Had the nation repented, John would have been reckoned as Elijah)

which was for to come.

15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

(A Hebraism = do you understand? [the Kingdom]. Used only by the Lord, and marking a dispensational crisis [as this was] on 14 different occasions.

Jesus closes this part of the message with this statement, drawing our attention that it is important for us to learn and understand. Do you understand what the Elijah message is all about? It is important that you do. It marks the end of this flesh age, and the message is that you will know the true Christ, and the signs of the times, or you will be drawn to the Antichrist [Satan]. You that have ears to hear, pay attention, something important was just stated.)

16 But whereunto shall I liken this generation?

(A significant expression, occurring 16 times. Characterized by of the epithets, "evil" and "adulterous" [12:39:45; 16:4. Mark 8:38. Luke 11:29]; "faithless and perverse" [17:17. Mark 9:19. LUKE 9:41]; untoward" [Acts 2:40]. All this because it was the particular generation that rejected the Messiah)

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.'

(In English - "you did not leap...did not weep. A common custom to this day; such response on the part of the audience being greatly appreciated.

This is very true even today. Jesus is pointing out that there is very little emotion attached to salvation, and the love of our Heavenly Father. Accepting Christ in most churches, is looked at as just another part of the service. When there should be hunger by the lost for Christ, it is like accepting a sales presentation of a bystander. Then when there should be great joy in the salvation of just one soul, that soul becomes just another statistic in the church record book.

Where is the joy over that one soul that comes into the kingdom of heaven, or the sorrow for the soul that parishes. Where is the emotions and hunger for the lost, and the sorrow of the sinner in their repentance.)

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.'

(See 5:46; 9:10)

But wisdom is justified of her children."

(Or work. And [for all that] Wisdom was [in each case] vindicated by her children; so with Messiah [the Wisdom of God.] 1 Cor. 24:30. Cp. Matt 23:34 with Luke 11:42.

Jesus is saying that while all these things are happening, and the people have no emotion, there are certain children that are not sleeping, but are paying attention. They will be justified by the wisdom they obtain. While God's children are obtaining wisdom, the children of the world are in a dormant mental state.)

20 Then

(Marking another stage of His rejection)

began He to upbraid the cities

(I.e. the inhabitants thereof)

wherein most of His mighty works were done, because they repented not:

(In those cities where Jesus went in and healed thousands, and He preached to them, and cast our evil spirits; the blind could see, the dumb could speak, and the lepers were cleansed. Whatever the people asked Christ for, He gave it to them; Yet, "they repented not". Friend, they believed, but they did not repent.

In those places where Jesus did most of His healing, the religious community wanted to kill him, murder him. How could a good man be destroyed for his good deeds? The only way that a man of God could ever understand this, is by understanding the "key of David", and the Kenites that came in unawares. When one understands the nature of the Kenites, they will then understand their method of doing things is just like their father, Cain, who was the first murder, and of his father the devil. If that is hard too understand, after you complete the book of Matthew, I hope you have a clear understanding.)

21 "Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida!

(Chorazain not named elsewhere, and no miracles recorded as performed there, or at Bethsaida, now el Tell; then a fishing suburb at Capernaum; Roman name, Julias)

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.

(Tyre was an island city built on a rock, and Sidon was a near by city. They were both where the Kenites called home. The people were the very offspring of Satan, through Cain. Jesus is saying that if these two cities had My miracles done in their town, like the mighty works that were done in Chorazin and Bethsaida, they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes. Sackcloth and ashes is an expression showing a true repentance.)

22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon

(Tyre now es Sur. Sidon the Zidon of the O.T.; now Saida, 25 miles south of Beirout)

at the day of judgment,

(Now drawing near. See 16:23)

than for you.

23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell:

(Gr. Hades)

for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

(Jesus is coming down pretty hard on Capernum. They had seen miracle after miracle, but didn't believe.)

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."

(Jesus is pointing a finger at all those that have been given an opportunity to taste of His love and grace, and then turned their back on Him. To the person who is in a foreign religion, and never heard of the mercies and love of God, God will deal with them in tolerance even in their ignorance, however those that have seen and heard the Word, and know the consequences of sin, and then turn and reject God's love and forgiveness; there is no tolerance on judgement day for them.

God gave us His Word, and in that Word He outlined in detail exactly what our generation would face. As we watch the news and see what is going on in the world today, each day as the prophetical events of the final day prophecy come to pass, that is another witness to you that God's Holy Word is true, and He does have control on all times and events. It truly is time to wake up.)

11:25-30. THE WILL OF GOD. REST IN.

25-27. Rest. Christ's rest: found.
28-30. Rest. Our rest: given and found.

25 At that time

(Of His rejection, Fig., emphasizing the lesson)

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 were wise and prudent in the ways of the world couldn't understand, but the message was put forth so that a child with eyes to see and ears to hear could understand. Truth is always like that.)

26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in Thy sight.

(It pleased Christ that those who refused to believe Christ, even after they saw the works, and heard His teaching, remained blind to the truths and things of the kingdom.)

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.

(God loves you. He wants you to find His saving power. He wants you to find His Son, Jesus Christ.)

11:28-30. REST. OURS. GIVEN AND FOUND

28-. Our burden heavy.
-28. His rest given.
29-. Command. "Take", &ct.
-29-. Command. Reason, "for".
-29. Our rest found.
30. His burden light.

28 Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,

(Here Christ refers, not to sins, but to service; not to guilt, but to labor; not to the conscience, but to the heart; not to repentance, but to learning; not to finding forgiveness, but to finding rest. Here limited to those seeking "rest". Do you have trouble in your life? Are you carrying heavy burdens? Take you problem to the Lord. He promises to give you rest.)

and I will give you rest.

(His rest is given. Ours must be found in His gift. We have none to give)

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.

(He is able to give rest to your very soul. That brings true peace of mind, beloved. If you have peace of mind, you are blessed.)

30 For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."

(Jesus wants to help you with your troubles. His yolk is easy to put on. When you put His yoke on your burdens become lighter, because He is helping you. Talk to the Lord. Rest in Him.)

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