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matthew 11:7-24

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Matthew 11:7-24

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”

— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

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? 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. 9. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. 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. 11. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. 13. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14. And if ye will receive [it], this is Elias, which was for to come. 15. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 16. But whereunto shall I liken this generation? 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. 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. But wisdom is justified of her children. 20. Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: 21. Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! 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. 22. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 23. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 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.

Matthew 11:7-24 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 11:7

Theological / Devotional

As they departed. [Jesus’ Eulogy of John, Matt. 11:7-30 = Luke 7:24-35. Major comment: Matthew.] Literally, “as they were departing,” implying that the discourse concerning John began almost the moment the messengers turned to leave. Apparently these words of commendation were not for the ears of John, nor for his disciples, because what Christ was about to say would have lessened the force of the personal message He had given to John’s two disciples to carry back to their master (see on Luke 7:23).

Concerning John. The eulogy of John, recorded in vs. 7-19, has sometimes been referred to as his funeral oration. John was beheaded about six months after this, not long before the Passover of A.D. 30 (see on Luke 3:19, 20).

To see. Gr. theaomai, “to view attentively,” or “to contemplate.” Many, possibly all, of the men in this audience had listened to John preach. Christ asks them to analyze their own reaction to that “burning and … shining light” (John 5:35), that they may the better appreciate John’s message in relation to the message Jesus Himself now bore.

Concerning John’s ministry in the wilderness see on Matt. 3:1 and Luke 3:2.

A reed. Reeds grew in abundance in the Jordan valley, where much of John’s brief ministry was spent, and the figure used here would vividly recall to the minds of those who now listened to Jesus the scene of the Baptist’s preaching. The Saviour’s question might be stated, “Did you go out that far just to see the reeds blowing in the wind?” Certainly John could not be likened to the reeds, for he was not of a wavering and vacillating character.

By SdaBc

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