AND IT CAME TO PASS ... - The directions to the apostles were given in the vicinity of Capernaum. The Saviour went from thence to preach in their cities; that is, in the cities in the vicinity of Capernaum, or in Galilee. He did not yet go into Judea.... [ Continue Reading ]
The account contained in this chapter of Matthew, to the Matthew 11:19, is found, with no material variation, in Luke 7:18. John was in prison. Herod had thrown him into confinement on account of his faithfulness in reproving him for marrying his brother Philip’s wife. See Matthew 14:3. It is not ce... [ Continue Reading ]
ART THOU HE THAT SHOULD COME? - That is, Art thou the Messiah, or the Christ? The Jews expected a Saviour. His coming had been long foretold, Genesis 49:10; Isaiah 9:1; Isaiah 11:1; Isaiah 35:4; Isaiah 53:1; Daniel 9:24. See also John 6:14. Compare Deuteronomy 18:18. In c [ Continue Reading ]
GO AND SHOW JOHN AGAIN ... - Jesus referred them for an answer to these miracles. They were proof that he was the Messiah. Prophets had indeed performed miracles, but no prophet had performed so many, or any so important. Jesus, moreover, performed them “in his own name” and by his own power. Prophe... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BLESSED IS HE ... - The word “offence” means a “stumbling-block.” See the notes at Matthew 5:29. This verse might be rendered, “Happy is he to whom I shall not prove a stumbling-block.” That is, happy is he who shall not take offence at my poverty and lowliness of life, so as to reject me and my... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AS THEY DEPARTED ... - Jesus took occasion, from the inquiries made by John’s disciples, to instruct the people respecting the true character of John. Multitudes had gone out to hear him when he preached in the desert Matthew 3, and it is probable that many had been attracted by the novelty of h... [ Continue Reading ]
CLOTHED IN SOFT RAIMENT - The kind of raiment here denoted was the light, thin clothing worn by effeminate persons. It was made commonly of fine linen, and was worn chiefly for ornament. Christ asks them whether they were attracted by anything like that. He says that the desert was not the place to... [ Continue Reading ]
A PROPHET? - He next asks whether they went to see a prophet. They had regarded him as such, and Jesus tells them that in this their apprehensions of him were correct. MORE THAN A PROPHET - Sustaining a character more elevated and sacred than the most distinguished of the ancient prophets. Those ha... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THIS IS HE ... - The passage of Scripture here quoted is found in Malachi 3:1. The substance of it is contained also in Isaiah 40:3. PREPARE THY WAY - That is, to prepare “the people;” to make them ready, by proper instructions, to receive the Messiah.... [ Continue Reading ]
AMONG THEM THAT ARE BORN OF WOMEN - This is an emphatic way of saying that there “had never” been a greater “man” than John. See Job 14:1. HE THAT IS LEAST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS GREATER THAN HE - The phrase “kingdom of heaven” is used in many senses. See the notes at Matthew 3:2. It here prob... [ Continue Reading ]
AND FROM THE DAYS OF JOHN ... - That is, from the days when John began to preach. It is not known how long this was, but it was not probably more than a year. Our Saviour here simply states a fact. He says there was a great rush or a crowd pressing to hear John. Multitudes went out to hear him, as i... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THE PROPHETS ... - It is meant by this verse that John introduced a new dispensation; and that the old one, under which the prophets and the law of Moses were the guide, was closed when he preached that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. By the “law” is meant here the five books of Moses; by the... [ Continue Reading ]
IF YE WILL RECEIVE IT - This is a mode of speaking implying that the doctrine which he was about to state was different from their common views; that he was about to state something which varied from the common expectation, and which therefore they might be disposed to reject. THIS IS ELIAS ... - Th... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT HATH EARS ... - This expression is frequently used by Christ. It is a proverbial expression, implying that the highest attention should be given to what was spoken. The doctrine about John he regarded as of the greatest importance. He among you, says he, that has the faculty of understanding... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WHEREUNTO SHALL I LIKEN ... - Christ proceeds to reprove the inconsistency and fickleness of that age of people. He says they were like children - nothing pleased them. He refers here to the “plays” or “sports” of children. Instrumental music, or piping and dancing, were used in marriages and fe... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN BEGAN HE TO UPBRAID ... - That is, to reprove, to rebuke, to denounce heavy judgment.... [ Continue Reading ]
CHORAZIN AND BETHSAIDA - These were towns not far from Capernaum, but the precise situation is unknown. See “The Land and the Book” (Thomson), vol. ii. pp. 8, 9. Bethsaida means literally a “house of hunting” or “a house of game,” and it was probably situated on the banks of the Sea of Galilee, and... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THOU, CAPERNAUM - See the notes at Matthew 4:13. WHICH ART EXALTED TO HEAVEN - This is an expression used to denote great privileges. He meant that they were especially favored with instruction. The city was prosperous. It was signally favored by its wealth. Most of all, it was signally favored... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM THE WISE AND PRUDENT - That is, from those who “thought” themselves wise - “wise” according to the world’s estimation of wisdom, 1 Corinthians 1:26. HAST REVEALED THEM UNTO BABES - To the poor, the ignorant, and the obscure; the teachable, the simple, the humble. By the wise and prudent here he... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THINGS ARE DELIVERED ... - The same doctrine is clearly taught often in the New Testament. See John 3:35; John 6:46; John 10:15; Colossians 1:16. It means that Christ has control over all things for the good of his church; that the government of the universe is committed to him “as Mediator,” th... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL YE THAT LABOUR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN - The Saviour here, perhaps, refers primarily to the Jews, who groaned under the weight of their ceremonial laws and the traditions of the elders, Acts 15:10. He tells them that by coming to him, and embracing the new system of religion, they would be freed fro... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKE MY YOKE - This is a figure taken from the use of oxen, and hence signifying to labor for one, or in the service of anyone. The “yoke” is used in the Bible as an emblem: (1)Of bondage or slavery, Leviticus 26:13; Deuteronomy 28:38. (2)Of afflictions or crosses, Lamentations 3:27. (3)Of the pu... [ Continue Reading ]
MY YOKE IS EASY ... - That is, the services that I shall require are easily rendered. They are not burdensome, like all other systems of religion. So the Christian always finds them. In coming to him there is “a peace which passeth all understanding;” in believing in him, “joy;” in following him “th... [ Continue Reading ]