Messengers From John, 11:1-19 (Luke 7:18-35; 16:16).
[1] This verse is the fitting conclusion for chapter ten and should have been included there. Jesus continued His work. Notice how Jesus refers to His 12 disciples / Apostles as a special group. Jesus gives special instructions, authority and power to these twelve men.
[2-3] John’s imprisonment had been mentioned in Matthew 4:12. Matthew gives the details in Matthew 14:1ff. Why did John wonder about Jesus? He had immersed Him (Matthew 3:13ff.) and saw the Spirit come on Him. This was the sign he was to look for (John 1:32-34). Perhaps being in prison caused John to become discouraged and impatient. Perhaps he thought the Christ should act more quickly. Anyway, John wanted a second confirmation. “The one who is coming” was a phrase John used with reference to the coming Christ (Matthew 3:11). It was also used in Matthew 21:9; 23:39; Mark 11:9; Luke 13:35; John 6:14; Hebrews 10:37; Revelation 1:4. In giving John a second confirmation, Matthew is giving his readers a second confirmation also.
[4-6] Jesus told them of His preaching and miracles. This was much like the verse He read from Isaiah 61:2 in Nazareth (Luke 4:18f.). He was doing the work of the Messiah. He closed with a blessing. The person who accepted the way He did things would be happy.
Matthew 11: 7-15
7 After these men left, Jesus began to tell the crowds about John: “What did you people go into the desert to see? A stalk of grass being blown by the wind? 8 Why did you go out there? Did you go to see a man dressed in fine clothes? Listen, the people who wear fine clothes live in palaces. 9 Really, what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, John is even more than a prophet. 10 This was written about John: ‘Listen! I am sending my messenger to go ahead of you. He will prepare the way for you!’ Malachi 3:1 11 I am telling you the truth: John (the one who immersed people) is greater than any man ever born, but the person who is least important in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John. 12 From the time when John appeared until now, the kingdom of heaven is being attacked; violent men are trying to capture it. 13 Until the time of John, the law of Moses and all the prophets prophesied about it. 14 And, if you are willing to accept it, John is the Elijah who was to appear. 15 The person who has ears to hear with should use them.”
[7-8] This conversation gave Jesus opportunity to talk about John. John was not weak like a grass stalk. He told the religious leaders how they should live (Matthew 3:7ff.). He told Herod Antipas that he could not have his brother’s wife (Matthew 14:4ff.). His camel hair clothes (Matthew 3:4) indicated that he was not royalty.
[9-10] Jesus praised John as a prophet. John was more than a prophet. He fulfilled prophecy (verse 10) and prepared the way for Christ.
[11] Of all men born, John was the greatest. He was filled with the Spirit from birth (Luke 1:15). Though he performed no miracles, he faithfully spoke the message of God. He prepared the way for the Messiah (Christ). The blessings in the new kingdom age are great. For “kingdom of heaven,” see Matthew 3:2. So great is the kingdom of heaven that the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John. In the Christian era, a disciple who follows Christ has greater blessings than the one who prepared the way for Him under the Old Covenant.
[12] The work of God continued to move forward. This was not done without opposition. As men gave their lives to God’s rule, others opposed God’s purposes and persecuted the disciples of Jesus.
[13-15] John had an important place in the work of God on earth. He was the last of the Old Testament prophets and prepared the way for the Messiah. The Jews expected Elijah to come (Malachi 4:5). Some had mistaken Jesus for Elijah (Matthew 16:14). Jesus asked them to accept the truth that John was the Elijah to come (Matthew 17:10-13). John himself did not understand that he was the Elijah to come (John 1:21).
Matthew 11:16-24
16 “Now, I will compare the people of this time to something else: What are they like? The people of this time are like little children sitting in the marketplaces, 17 calling to each other: ‘We played a happy song, but you did not dance. We played a sad song, but you did not cry!’ 18 John came neither eating normal food nor drinking wine. And they say, ‘He has a demon inside him!’ 19 I came eating and drinking. And they say, ‘Look, he eats too much and drinks too much wine! He is the friend of tax collectors and other sinful people!’ True wisdom is shown to be right by the things it does.” 20 Then Jesus began to criticize the towns where most of his miracles had occurred. The people had not changed their hearts. 21 “It will be horrible for you, O town of Chorazin! It will be horrible for you, Bethsaida! Many miracles have occurred in you. If these same miracles had occurred in the cities of Tyre and Sidon, then those people in Tyre and Sidon would have changed their hearts and actions long ago. 22 But on the Judgment Day, God will punish you more than the people of Tyre and Sidon. 23 And you, Capernaum, do you think you will be lifted up to heaven? You will be thrown down to Hades! Many miracles have occurred in you. If these same miracles had occurred in Sodom, that city would still be standing today. 24 But on the Judgment Day, God will punish you more than He will punish the people of Sodom!”
[16-19] The marketplace was a crowded place, and children played while their parents traded. He mentioned two games they played: weddings and funerals. The games were different, but neither pleased the children. John and Jesus were different, and people complained like children about both John and Jesus. The works of John and Jesus showed they were from God. For “Son of Man,” see Matthew 8:20.
People Who Will Not Listen, 11:20-24 (Luke 10:13-15).
[20] The message of the kingdom was “Change your hearts! The kingdom of heaven is very near!” (Matthew 3:2; 4:17). Jesus was critical of the people in the town because they did not change their hearts.
[21-22] Jesus did many miracles that were not written down (John 21:25). Only one miracle was recorded of the ones done in Chorazin and Bethsaida (Mark. 8:22-26). Tyre and Sidon were wicked cities during Old Testament days (Amos 1:9f.). They were pagan cities. Both cities were on the Mediterranean seacoast. The people of those cities would have changed their hearts if they had seen Christ do His miracles. People who hear the Good News and do not change will be punished by God.
[23-24] Capernaum was Jesus’ home town in Galilee (Matthew 4:13; 17:24). He performed many miracles there (Matthew 8:5-17; 9:1-8; 17:24f.; Mark 1:21-28). To be “lifted up to heaven” means to become something to be proud of. However, those in Capernaum would not be lifted up; on the contrary, they would go to the place of the dead (Hades). The judgement on them was serious. The destruction of Sodom is found in Genesis 19:24. The people of Sodom would have changed their hearts if they had seen Christ’s miracles and would not have been destroyed. The people of Capernaum saw His miracles and still refused the Good News.
Matthew 11:25-30
25 At that time, Jesus said, “Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I praise You because You have hidden these teachings from the ‘wise’ and ‘intelligent’ people, but You show Your teachings to little children. 26 Yes, Father, I praise You, because this is what You really wanted to do. 27 “My Father has given me all things. Only the Father knows who the Son is. And only the Son knows who the Father is. The only people who will know about the Father are those people whom the Son chooses to tell.” 28 “You are tired and have heavy loads. If all of you will come to me, I will give you rest. 29 Take the job I give you. Learn from me because I am gentle and humble in heart. You will find rest for your lives. 30 The duty I give you is easy. The load I put upon you is not heavy.”
Prayer and Invitation, 11:25-30 (Luke 10:21-22).
[25-27] This is one of the passages where Jesus clearly claims sonship of God. The address of God as, “Father, Lord of heaven and earth,” is found nowhere else in the Bible. How God reveals His truth to children (see 1 Corinthians 1:19ff.; Matthew 18:3) is all according to God’s eternal plan (see Ephesians 1:4, 9-10). Only the Father knows the Son, and only the Son knows the Father (see John 10:15). “All things” probably refers to everything He needs to do His work on earth. His work was to tell mankind about the Father.
[28-30] Jesus invited everyone, but especially those who were tired and who had heavy loads. This would include the burden of the law (Matthew 23:4; Galatians 3:23). Jesus was always concerned for the poor and those in need. Jesus promised rest. His rest and peace were not like those found in the world (John 14:27; Philippians 4:7). A yoke is a symbol of service. Service is given to Christ. We take the job He gives. The job He gives to us is to learn from Him. Jesus described Himself as “gentle and humble in heart.” The Christian becomes gentle (Matthew 5:5; 2 Timothy 2:24) like Christ. Jesus as a servant was humble (Isaiah 53; Philippians 2:8). Jesus’ demands are not hard (1 John 5:3). The Pharisees put many heavy loads on people through their traditions (Matthew 23:4).
Matthew 12:1-8
12 1 At that time, Jesus was traveling through a field of grain on a Sabbath day. His followers were hungry. They began to pick the grain and eat it. 2 The Pharisees saw this and said to Jesus, “Look! Your followers are doing what is not right to do on the Sabbath day.” 3 Jesus said to them, “Do you remember reading about what David did when he and his men were hungry? 4 David went into the house of God. They ate the holy loaves of bread. The law did not permit David or his men to eat them—only the priests could eat them. 5 You have read in the law of Moses that every Sabbath day the priests in the temple courtyard disobey the laws of the Sabbath. And yet, they have no guilt. 6 But, I’m telling you, there is one here who is more important than the temple! 7 Have you read this: ‘I want mercy more than I want animal sacrifices.’? Hosea 6:6 If you had read this, you would not have condemned innocent people! 8 I am Lord over the Sabbath day.”