Gospel of Matthew

Compiled by WD Kemner January 2024

CHAPTER 11

Tribute to John the Baptist

Matthew Chapter 11 verses 2-6

Parallel Passages: Luke 7:18-35

Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:

The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

John the Baptist has been in prison since the passage in Matthew 4:12.   A LOT has happened in that time frame.  Jesus had waited to begin his public preaching until John’s arrest (see chapter 4:12).  Everything that has transpired up until this point has not been personally eye witnessed by John the Baptist.

John sends two of his followers to see “what is happening”. He must have been “starving for news”.  It has been apparently quite a long stay so far for John. We have seven chapters of “news reports” that we are able to read. How much has John heard yet? Jesus tells them to go back and report what they have seen.

What they have seen! It appears that the “poor receiving the gospel” is just as GREAT a miracle as the dead being raised!  BLESSED are those NOT offended in Jesus! Jesus now proceeds to give a HUGE tribute to John the Baptist.

Tribute to John the Baptist

Matthew Chapter 11 verses 7-10

Parallel Passages: Luke 7:18-35

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? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.

Matthew Chapter 11 verses 10

Parallel Passages: Luke 7:18-35

For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

Quotes Malachi 3:1 and Links 400 years of history. From Malachi (a prophet) to another (greater prophet in John the Baptist).

Matthew Chapter 11 verses 11-12

Parallel Passages: Luke 7:18-35

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. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

John was the “ice-breaker” before Jesus arrived on the scene.  He alone was responsible for bringing thousands and also setting the stage for Jesus.

17^th century Commentator Matthew Henry describes it as “suddenly an army appears at the door”. Before John the Baptist there was nothing.  When Jesus arrives on the scene, the soil is prepared and waiting.

Paraphrasing commentator Mathew Henry who also illustrates it like this:

John arrives in the morning and is here until noon preaching that Jesus is coming before he is taken away, John does not get to stay the entire day to see the crucifixion and glorified Christ like the disciples do.

The disciples then pick up the message of this same Jesus having been here and purchasing our lives with His death.

Matthew Chapter 11 verses 13-14

Parallel Passages: Luke 7:18-35

For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

The Jews had been hung up on the last statements made by the prophet Malachi (Malachi 4:5) who said Elijah the prophet would be sent.  One of the yearly feasts involves leaving a chair available for “Elias when he comes”.  Jesus now tells them that John the Baptist was the fulfillment of that.

Matthew Chapter 11 verses 15-19

Parallel Passages: Luke 7:18-35

He that has ears to hear, let him hear. But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. 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.

False accusations that come with the Ministry of message as John the Baptist and Jesus taught

Matthew Chapter 11 verses 20-24

Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: 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.

But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 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. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

Jesus begins to “upbraid” (denounce) the cities where most of His works were done because of their unbelief comparing them to cities of the past that had been “destroyed” for their level of wickedness.

Matthew Chapter 11 verses 25-27

At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.

All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

God’s revelations come to the “babes” not the “wise”. You cannot know the Father without knowing the Son.

Matthew Chapter 11 verses 28-30

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Rest can only be found in Jesus.