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]. Nineveh 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).

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