Matthew 11

John's Questions

1 ¹When Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He departed from there ²to teach and preach in their cities.

2 ³Now when ⁴John, while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples

3 and said to Him, "Are You ⁵the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?"

4 Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and report to John what you hear and see:

5 ⁶the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the ⁷POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM.

6 "And blessed is he who ⁸does not take offense at Me."

Jesus' Tribute to John

7 As these men were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, "What did you go out into ⁹the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

8 "But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings' palaces!

9 "But what did you go out to see? ¹⁰A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet.

10 "This is the one about whom it is written, '¹¹BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.'

11 "Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

12 "¹²From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.

13 "For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John.

14 "And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is ¹³Elijah who was to come.

15 "¹⁴He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

16 "But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places, who call out to the other children,

17 and say, '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 ¹⁵eating nor ¹⁶drinking, and they say, '¹⁷He has a demon!'

19 "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, ¹⁸a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds."

The Unrepenting Cities

20 Then He began to denounce the cities in which most of His ¹⁹miracles were done, because they did not repent.

21 "²⁰Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, ²¹Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in ²²Tyre and ²³Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in ²⁴sackcloth and ashes.

22 "Nevertheless I say to you, ²⁵it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in ²⁶the day of judgment than for you.

23 "And you, ²⁷Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will ²⁸descend to ²⁹Hades; for if the miracles had occurred in ³⁰Sodom which occurred in you, it would have remained to this day.

24 "Nevertheless I say to you that ³¹it will be more tolerable for the land of ³²Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you."

Come to Me

25 ³³At that time Jesus said, "I praise You, ³⁴Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that ³⁵You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.

26 "Yes, ³⁶Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.

27 "³⁷All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father ³⁸except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

28 "³⁹Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

29 "Take My yoke upon you and ⁴⁰learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and ⁴¹YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.

30 "For ⁴²My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

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Matthew 11 Commentary

Chapter 11

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)

Verse 1 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.

Verses 2-6 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.

Verses 7-15 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.

Verses 16-24 Christ reflects on the scribes and Pharisees, who had a proud conceit of themselves. He likens their behaviour to children's play, who being out of temper without reason, quarrel with all the attempts of their fellows to please them, or to get them to join in the plays for which they used to assemble. The cavils of worldly men are often very trifling and show great malice. Something they have to urge against every one, however excellent and holy. Christ, who was undefiled, and separate from sinners, is here represented as in league with them, and polluted by them. The most unspotted innocence will not always be a defence against reproach. Christ knew that the hearts of the Jews were more bitter and hardened against his miracles and doctrines, than those of Tyre and Sidon would have been; therefore their condemnation would be the greater. The Lord exercises his almighty power, yet he punishes none more than they deserve, and never withholds the knowledge of the truth from those who long after it.

Verses 25-30 It becomes children to be grateful. When we come to God as a Father, we must remember that he is Lord of heaven and earth, which obliges us to come to him with reverence as to the sovereign Lord of all; yet with confidence, as one able to defend us from evil, and to supply us with all good. Our blessed Lord added a remarkable declaration, that the Father had delivered into his hands all power, authority, and judgment. We are indebted to Christ for all the revelation we have of God the Father's will and love, ever since Adam sinned. Our Saviour has invited all that labour and are heavy-laden, to come unto him. In some senses all men are so. Worldly men burden themselves with fruitless cares for wealth and honours; the gay and the sensual labour in pursuit of pleasures; the slave of Satan and his own lusts, is the merest drudge on earth. Those who labour to establish their own righteousness also labour in vain. The convinced sinner is heavy-laden with guilt and terror; and the tempted and afflicted believer has labours and burdens. Christ invites all to come to him for rest to their souls. He alone gives this invitation; men come to him, when, feeling their guilt and misery, and believing his love and power to help, they seek him in fervent prayer. Thus it is the duty and interest of weary and heavy-laden sinners, to come to Jesus Christ. This is the gospel call; Whoever will, let him come. All who thus come will receive rest as Christ's gift, and obtain peace and comfort in their hearts. But in coming to him they must take his yoke, and submit to his authority. They must learn of him all things, as to their comfort and obedience. He accepts the willing servant, however imperfect the services. Here we may find rest for our souls, and here only. Nor need we fear his yoke. His commandments are holy, just, and good. It requires self-denial, and exposes to difficulties, but this is abundantly repaid, even in this world, by inward peace and joy. It is a yoke that is lined with love. So powerful are the assistances he gives us, so suitable the encouragements, and so strong the consolations to be found in the way of duty, that we may truly say, it is a yoke of pleasantness. The way of duty is the way of rest. The truths Christ teaches are such as we may venture our souls upon. Such is the Redeemer's mercy; and why should the labouring and burdened sinner seek for rest from any other quarter? Let us come to him daily, for deliverance from wrath and guilt, from sin and Satan, from all our cares, fears, and sorrows. But forced obedience, far from being easy and light, is a heavy burden. In vain do we draw near to Jesus with our lips, while the heart is far from him. Then come to Jesus to find rest for your souls.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

Cross References 42

1. Matthew 7:28
2. Matthew 9:35; Luke 23:5
3. Matthew 11:2-19: {Luke 7:18-35;} Matthew 4:12
4. Matthew 14:3; Mark 6:17; Luke 9:7f
5. Psalms 118:26; Matthew 11:10; John 6:14; John 11:27; Hebrews 10:37
6. Isaiah 35:5; Matthew 8:3; Matthew 12:13
7. Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18
8. Matthew 5:29; Matthew 13:57; Matthew 24:10; Matthew 26:31; Mark 6:3; John 6:61; John 16:1
9. Matthew 3:1
10. Matthew 14:5; Matthew 21:26; Luke 1:76; Luke 20:6
11. Malachi 3:1; Mark 1:2
12. Luke 16:16
13. Malachi 4:5; Matthew 17:10-13; Mark 9:11-13; Luke 1:17; John 1:21
14. Revelation 13:9, 43">Matt Revelation 13:9, 43; Mark 4:9, 23; Luke 8:8; Luke 14:35; Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; Revelation 3:6, 13, 22; Revelation 13:9
15. Matthew 3:4
16. Luke 1:15
17. Matthew 9:34; John 7:20; John 8:48f, 52; John 10:20
18. Matthew 9:11; Luke 5:29-32; Luke 15:2
19. Luke 10:13-15
20. Matthew 11:21-23: {Luke 10:13-15}
21. Mark 6:45; Mark 8:22; Luke 9:10; John 1:44; John 12:21
22. Matthew 11:22; Matthew 15:21; Mark 3:8; Mark 7:24, 31; Luke 4:26; Luke 6:17; Acts 12:20; Acts 27:3
23. Matthew 11:22; Matthew 15:21; Mark 3:8; Mark 7:24, 31; Luke 4:26; Luke 6:17; Acts 12:20; Acts 27:3
24. Revelation 11:3
25. Matthew 10:15; Matthew 11:24
26. Matthew 10:15; Matthew 12:36; Revelation 20:11, 12
27. Matthew 4:13
28. Isaiah 14:13, 15; Ezekiel 26:20; Ezekiel 31:14; Ezekiel 32:18, 24
29. Matthew 16:18; Luke 10:15; Luke 16:23; Acts 2:27, 31; Revelation 1:18; Revelation 6:8; Revelation 20:13
30. Matthew 10:15
31. Matthew 10:15; Matthew 11:22
32. Matthew 10:15
33. Matthew 11:25-27: {Luke 10:21, 22}
34. Luke 22:42; Luke 23:34; John 11:41; John 12:27, 28
35. Psalms 8:2; 1 Corinthians 1:26f
36. Luke 22:42; Luke 23:34; John 11:41; John 12:27, 28
37. Matthew 28:18; John 3:35; John 13:3; John 17:2
38. John 7:29; John 10:15; John 17:25
39. Jeremiah 31:25; John 7:37
40. John 13:15; Ephesians 4:20; Philippians 2:5; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6
41. Jeremiah 6:16
42. 1 John 5:3