Matthew 11:13

13 Until the time of John all the prophets and the Law of Moses spoke about the Kingdom;

Matthew 11:13 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 11:13

For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
] These words are to be considered in connection with ( Matthew 11:11 ) and are a further proof of John's being greater than any of the prophets; because all the inspired writers and prophets, who were before him, prophesied of the Messiah as to come; and either spoke of him in obscure terms, or represented him under dark shadows and figures: whereas John spake of him as already come, and in plain terms, and directed to his very person; and since his time, there have been no prophecies concerning the Messiah and his kingdom; vision and prophecy are now sealed up; all which are acknowledged by the Jews themselves, who F2 say, (xyvmh twmyl ala wabntn al zlwk Myaybnh lk) , "all the prophets did not prophesy but to, or of the days of the Messiah". This was the subject, and these the limits of their prophecies; for they own F3, that

``from the day that the temple was destroyed, (yaybnh Nm) (hawbn hlyjb) , "prophecy was taken away from the prophets".''

Since that time, they confess they have had no prophet F4, and that they are not able to observe their signs.


FOOTNOTES:

F2 T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 34. 2. Sabbat, fol. 63. 1. Sanhedrim, fol. 99. 1.
F3 T. Bava Bathra, fol. 12. 1.
F4 Abarbinel in Dan. fol. 63. 4.

Matthew 11:13 In-Context

11 I assure you that John the Baptist is greater than anyone who has ever lived. But the one who is least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than John.
12 From the time John preached his message until this very day the Kingdom of heaven has suffered violent attacks, and violent men try to seize it.
13 Until the time of John all the prophets and the Law of Moses spoke about the Kingdom;
14 and if you are willing to believe their message, John is Elijah, whose coming was predicted.
15 Listen, then, if you have ears!
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.