Matthew 11:1._And it happened that when Jesus had made an end _In this passage Matthew means nothing more than that Christ did not desist from the exercise of his office, while the Apostles were laboring in another direction. As soon, therefore, as he sent them away, with the necessary instructions,... [ Continue Reading ]
2._Now when John had heard. _The Evangelists do not mean that John was excited by the miracles to acknowledge Christ at that time as Mediator; but, perceiving that Christ had acquired great reputation, and concluding that this was a fit and seasonable time for putting to the test his own declaration... [ Continue Reading ]
3._Art thou he who was to come? _John takes for granted what the disciples had known from their childhood; for it was the first lesson of religion, and common among all the Jews, that Christ _was to come, _bringing salvation and perfect happiness. On this point, accordingly, he does not raise a doub... [ Continue Reading ]
4._Go and relate to John _As John had assumed for the time a new character, so Christ enjoins them to carry to him that message, which more properly ought to have been addressed to his disciples. He gives an indirect reply, and for two reasons: first, because it was better that the thing should spea... [ Continue Reading ]
5._The poor receive the message of the Gospel _By _the poor _are undoubtedly meant those whose condition is wretched and despicable, and who are held in no estimation. However mean any person may be, his poverty is so far from being a ground of despair, that it ought rather to animate him with coura... [ Continue Reading ]
6._And blessed is he who shall not be offended in me. By _this concluding statement Christ intended to remind them, that he who would adhere firmly and steadfastly to the faith of the Gospel must encounter _offenses, _which will tend to interrupt the progress of faith. This is said by way of anticip... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:7._And while they were departing _Christ praises John before the people, in order that they may state from recollection what they have heard from him, and may give credit to his testimony. For his name was widely celebrated, and men spoke of him in lofty terms: but his doctrine was held i... [ Continue Reading ]
8._Clothed with soft garments _Those who think that Christ here condemns the extravagance of a court are mistaken. There are many other passages in which luxury of dress, and excessive attention to outward appearance, are censured. But this passage simply means, that there was nothing in the wildern... [ Continue Reading ]
11._Verily I say to you _These words not only maintain the authority of John, but elevate his doctrine above the ancient prophets, that the people may keep in view the right end of his ministry; for they mistook the design of his mission, and, in consequence of this, derived almost no advantage from... [ Continue Reading ]
12._Since the days of John _I have no doubt that Christ speaks honorably of the majesty of the Gospel on this ground, that many sought after it with warm affection; for as God had raised up John to be the herald of the kingdom of his Son, so the Spirit infused such efficacy into his doctrine, that i... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:13._All the Prophets and the Law itself Prophesied_. The word _prophesied _is emphatic; for _the Law and the Prophets _did not present God before the eyes of men, but represented him under figures and shadows as absent. The comparison, we now perceive, is intended to show, that it is high... [ Continue Reading ]
14._And if you are willing to receive it _He now explains more clearly in what manner John began to preach _the kingdom of God _It was in the character of that _Elijah, _who was to be sent before the face of God, (Malachi 4:5.) Our Lord’s meaning therefore is, that _the great and dreadful day of the... [ Continue Reading ]
15._He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. _We know that it is customary with Christ to introduce this sentence, whenever he treats of subjects which are highly important, and which deserve no ordinary attention. (18) He reminds us, at the same time, of the reason why the mysteries of which he spe... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:20._Then he began to upbraid. _Luke states the time when, and the reason why, Christ uttered such invectives against those cities. It was while he was sending the disciples away into various parts of Judea, to proclaim, as they passed along, that the kingdom of God was at hand. Reflecting... [ Continue Reading ]
21._If those mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon. _As _Tyre and Sidon, _in consequence of their proximity, were at that time abhorred for their ungodliness, pride, debauchery, and other vices, Christ employs this comparison for the express purpose of making a deeper and more painful impress... [ Continue Reading ]
23._And thou, Capernaum. _He expressly addresses the city of _Capernaum, _in which he had resided so constantly, that many supposed it to be his native place. It was indeed an inestimable honor, that the Son of God, when about to commence his reign and priesthood, had chosen _Capernaum _for the seat... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 11:25._Jesus answering. _Though the Hebrew verb, _answer, _( ענה,) is frequently employed even in the commencement of a discourse, yet in this passage I consider it to be emphatic; for it was from the present occurrence that Christ took occasion to speak. This is more fully confirmed by the... [ Continue Reading ]
26._Undoubtedly, O Father _This expression removes every pretense for that licentiousness of inquiry, to which we are continually excited. There is nothing which we yield to God with greater difficulty, than that his will shall be regarded by us as the highest reason and justice. (63) He frequently... [ Continue Reading ]
27._All things have been delivered to me. _The connection of this sentence with the preceding one is not correctly understood by those commentators who think that Christ intends nothing more than to strengthen the confidence of his disciples for preaching the Gospel. My opinion is, that Christ spoke... [ Continue Reading ]
28._Come to me all that labor _He now kindly invites to himself those whom he acknowledges to be fit for becoming his disciples. Though he is ready to reveal the Father to all, yet the greater part are careless about coming to him, because they are not affected by a conviction of their necessities.... [ Continue Reading ]
29._Take my yoke upon you. _Many persons, we perceive, abuse the grace of Christ by turning it into an indulgence of the flesh; and therefore Christ, after promising joyful rest to wretchedly distressed consciences, reminds them, at the same time, that he is their Deliverer on condition of their sub... [ Continue Reading ]