|
The
Book of Matthew
Matthew was taught by Dr. James Modlish
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
11:1
"Their cities" implies the cities of the disciples, which is
the region of Galilee. This is Christ's third rout through
Galilee, being in the middle of His ministry.
11:2,3
John's so-called skepticism can be better understood if you
put yourself in his shoes. He knew nothing about the church
age; all John knew was he was the forerunner of the Messiah
- Prince!
11:4-6
[1].
When Jesus wanted to confirm His Messiahship, He points
to "signs and wonders" of healing that accompanied the
ministry of Moses (Ex. 14) - Christ is the prophet of
(Deut. 18:18).
[2]. "Not be offended in me" implies a lot closer
relationship that "by me." Lots of people are offended by
Jesus, but how much more critical for those of us who are
"in Him" not to be offended.
11:7-9
It's obvious that John is not "a reed shaken with the wind."
Any man who would "tell a king off" and try to get him to
live right (Mk. 6:20). Soft clothing - not hardly (Mk. 1:6).
John didn't even back down from Roman soldiers - (Lk.
3:14).
11:10-13
[1].
"Of whom it is written" - (Isa. 40:3; Mal. 3:1).
[2]. Jesus differentiates between those "born of
woman" and another group - who could that be? (1 Pet.
1:23). However to force this passage into the church age
is difficult. The exact application is beyond the church
age to (Isa. 11 & Zech. 13). The least in the kingdom
will have more opportunities than John because of a risen
and glorified Christ in their presence, with a
regenerated world (Matt. 19:28).
[3]. "Kingdom of heaven suffereth violence." Volumes have been written but the most likely
interpretation is that there were some who were
determined to force a kingdom into existence.
Soldiers
- (Lk. 3:12-14).
Publicans
and harlots
- (Matt. 21:32).
Multitudes
- (Jn. 6:15).
The only
other possibility is that the unlawful usurpers of the
kingdom (priest and Pharisees - (Matt. 43:46) were trying
to steal the kingdom.
11:14,15
"This is Elias" is a contradiction to (Jn. 1:21). This is
further clouded by (Matt. 17:10-13).
[1].
Moses and Elijah are associated with the 2nd Advent,
(Mal. 4). In (Rev. 11:8) both herald His coming and are
beheaded (Rev. 20:3-6), as John was beheaded.
[2]. So John is a type of Elijah (Lk. 1:15-17)
and can fulfill the position in the event of Israel's
acceptance of Christ.
[3]. If the Tribulation would have begun with a
Rapture in (Acts 7), all Old Testament prophesies would
have been fulfilled.
11:16-19
The entire passage is sarcastic.
[1].
They are in the markets; that is where the money is -
(22:5; 23:7).
[2]. John refuses to dance - (14:6).
Jesus
refuses to mourn - (9:23).
John came with strict standards of separations and
they accused him of having a devil.
Jesus came eating with publicans and sinners and they
accused him of breaking the law by gluttony (Deut.
21:20).
[3].
It seems to say a child of wisdom will recognize wisdom
when he sees it and will either justify it or turn from
it - (Lk. 7:29).
11:20-22
[1].
Upbraid implies bawling out as in braided whip - tongue
lashing. These were cities on the north Galilean shore
100 miles away were Tyre and Sidon which were centers of
Baal worship.
[2]. Ninevah did repent in sack cloth and
ashes.
[3]. This day of judgment is the last judgment of
the unsaved dead, (Rev. 20:13-15; 2 Pet. 2:9;
3:7).
11:23,24
[1].
Jesus believed in a literal hell and believed the
residents of Sodom went there (Jude 7).
[2]. Capernaum does not exist in spite of its
great location.
11:25-27
This is the only occasion where it is stated that Jesus
rejoiced (Lk. 10:21). Jesus rejoices that the heavyweights
can't et what the simple can - (Matt. 21:16).
11:28
[1].
Observe the first person invited to receive the rest -
all that labour. As many Scriptures, it has universal
application first to the unsaved, as they labour for
salvation, second to the Christian who labour's in the
flesh.
[2]. Rest is only for the labouring - for those
who are attempting to take their ease with their own
methods there is no rest.
[3]. To come is to leave one thing and to advance
to another, leave your sin, presumptions, self-reliant
efforts, etc.
[4]. Rest is not a gift, like salvation, it is
present tense, not after death or after much
advancement.
11:29
[1].
"Take my yoke." Am I to be set free from labouring to
labour again? Your yoke galled, but Christ's is light.
Souls, like bodies are made for activity, but we only
find rest when we are set free from self-righteousness
and come to Jesus.
[2]. "Learn of me" implies a rest after the rest
- the rest of heaven is not sleep, for they serve Him
night and day.
[3]. "Take my yoke" is voluntary or it doesn't
work. People giving you jobs provides no rest.
[4]. The rest has to do with learning, learn
what? His meekness, lowly, made Himself of no reputation.
The lowly Spirit does not seek great things for itself,
for it learns in whatsoever state it is there with to be
content. Can you rest in poverty, sickness, distress,
lack of success.
11:34-39
[1].
Not only is a sword prophesied, but recommended by Jesus
(Lk. 22:36). Of course the most dangerous sword is the
one in (Heb. 4:12).
[2]. (Vs. 36) applies to a quote from (Mic.
7:5,6).
[3]. (Vs. 37) is worded even stronger in (Lk.
14:26). This hating is defined in (Gen. 29:30,31; Deut.
12:6-11; Matt. 19:29).
[4]. (Vs. 38) implies that unless a person is
willing to classify himself as a criminal (crucifixion
was capital punishment), he is not a worthy disciple of
the Master.
[5]. (Vs. 39) states one of the many paradoxical
truths of the Bible, as in "give and it shall be given
you," "the way up is the way down" (Isa. 14:12-16) and
"the way down is the way up" (Isa. 4:10).
11:40-42
(Matt. 11:1) reminds us the context is the sending out of
the 12 although numerous practical applications can be
made.
[1].
Receive a messenger and get the blessing: Elijah - (1 Ki.
17); Elisha - (1 Ki. 4; 1 Tim. 5:17,18).
Return
To Index |
Chapter
12
|