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Matthew Chapter Eleven

 

I. Content of the Chapter

 

The Yoke and Example of the King

I. He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities (v.1).  

II. He was called into question by John the Baptist:

   A. John the Baptist asked his disciples to ask the Lord (v.2-3).

   B. The Lord’s answer to John the Baptist (v.4-6).

   C. The Lord praised John the Baptist behind his back (v.7-15).

III. He was criticized and rejected:

   A. He was overlooked by this world (v.16-17).

   B. He was ridiculed and slandered by men (v.18-19).

   C. He was rejected by the cities (v.20-24).

IV. The example and calling in the Sabbath:

   A. He thanked the Father in the face of adversity (v.25).

   B. He had rest for the good pleasure of the Father (v.26-27).

   C. He called men to find rest (v.28-30).

 

II. Verse by Verse commentary

 

Matt. 11:1 “Now it came to pass when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.

   YLT: “And it came to pass when Jesus ended directing his twelve disciples he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.”

   Literal Meaning: “when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples.” Here it means the teachings said by the Lord Jesus to His twelve disciples in chapter 10.

  “He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.” “Their cities” means every city and town in Galilee. “To preach” is to preach the gospel of the kingdom of heaven in order to make men repent and believe. “To teach” is to instruct others to understand the will of God.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) What the Lord asks His disciples to do is what He does Himself. The Lord Jesus matches His words with His deeds. He acts according to His words.   

2) The Lord sets a good example with His own conduct: He also does the things that He asks others to do.

3) After the Lord had sent His disciples out even not having a rest He still departed from there to go forth faithfully. It indicates that spiritual leaders do not lord it over their possessions but are models for the flock (1Pet. 5:3).

 

Matt. 11:2 “And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ he sent two of his disciples

   YLT: “And John having heard in the prison the works of the Christ having sent two of his disciples ”

   Literal Meaning: “John in prison” “John” is John the Baptist. He was put into prison because he spoke for God and had condemned Herod the King that he should not have married the wife of his brother (See Matt. 14:3-4).

  “John had heard about the works of Christ.” Here the works refer to many wonders and signs recorded in Matt.8 and Matt. 9.

  “He sent two of his disciples.” John the Baptist formerly knew that Christ is the Son of God (John. 1:34). He has the power to do signs and wonders and He had not done anything for John to deliver him from the blockhouse. Therefore he sent his disciples to question the Lord Jesus (See v.3).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Men are easy to doubt when they are in tribulations (“in prison”). Therefore when we are in danger or difficulty we should take care lest we are taken in the devil’s craftiness to doubt the will of the Lord.

2) When in tribulations we should learn to look upon the Lord instead of the circumstances.

3) We should thank God whether He has done something for us or not. The Lord has good will whether He has done something or not.

 

Matt. 11:3 “and said to Him "Are You the Coming One or do we look for another?"

   YLT: “said to him `Art thou He who is coming or for another do we look?`”

   Meaning of Words: “another”: another man of a different kind. 

   Literal Meaning: “Are You the Coming One?” John meant that “Are You the Messiah?” His words did not show his doubt about the Lord his disappointment towards the Lord.

  “Or do we look for another?” John used these words to urge the Lord with derision hoping that He would show His works as the Messiah so as to lead the Jews to resist the Roman Empire and to revive the kingdom of Judah.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Men’s natural patience is limited. After someone has waited a long period of time he will be impatient gradually and even complain the Lord.

2) When John was in prison he held that his difficulty was so great and urgent that the Lord should lay down anything else to solve his problem. Many workers of the Lord are not serving the Lord but asking the Lord to serve them.

 

Matt. 11:4 “Jesus answered and said to them "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:

   YLT: “And Jesus answering said to them `Having gone declare to John the things that ye hear and see ”

   Literal Meaning: when the Lord was questioned and offended by John the Baptist He did not regard him as disobedient. Contrarily He further revealed Himself to John. “The things which you hear” are the Lord’s teachings (words) and “the things which you see” are the wonders (deeds) done by the Lord.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) John the Baptist formerly knew the Lord but he was still weak. The Lord’s answer to him is about the knowledge of Himself (see v.4-5). It shows that the more knowledge of the Lord is the deliverance to those who are weak.

2) The effect of the Lord’s work cannot be measured by sight and therefore we should follow the Lord by our inner knowledge of Him instead of outer conditions.

3) “Hearing” is listed before “seeing” in this verse and this shows that Christ’s teachings (the Lord’s words) are more important than His conduct (signs). Hearing ten sentences of God’s words is better than seeing ten signs. It is to put the incidental before the fundamental for the extreme Charismatic to pay more attention to God’s signs than His words.

4) One still needs to be revealed after he has revelations. One still needs to see God’s appearance after he has seen God’s appearance. The new revelation and appearance shall enable us to renew strength. If there is no vision there will be no power.

 

Matt. 11:5 “The blind see 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.

   YLT: “blind receive sight and lame walk lepers are cleansed and deaf hear dead are raised and poor have good news proclaimed ”

   The Background: in the time of the Old Testament nobody had seen the sign that “the blind see”. However it is predicted through the prophet Isaiah that when the Messiah comes He would make the eyes of the blind open (Is. 35:5).

   Literal Meaning: the Lord used these things that He had done as evidence to make John the Baptist know that He is the Messiah.

   Spiritual Meaning: various kinds of people in this verse symbolize the different states of us before we were saved:

   1) “The blind” symbolize those whose thoughts have been blinded by the god of this world (2Cor. 4:4).

   2) “The lame” symbolize those who are unable to walk in the God’s commanded way (Acts. 3:2-9).

   3) “The lepers” symbolize those who are rebellious and unclean in God’s sight (Num. 12:1-10).

   4) “The deaf” symbolize those who could not hear the voice of God (Is. 29:18).

   5) “The dead” symbolize those who are dead in their offences and sins (Eph. 2:1).

   6) “The poor” symbolize those who have no hope and without God in the world (Eph 2:12).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “The blind see” is the first step of salvation. The Lord firstly opened our eyes and we may turn from darkness to light (Acts. 26:18).

2) The Lord opens our eyes strengthens our feet to walk in the Lord’s way (Heb. 12:12-13) leads captive our formerly rebellious to Him (2Kings. 5:9-14) makes us hear the Lord’s voice (John. 10:27) know the power of His resurrection (Pill. 3:10) and enjoy the unsearchable riches of Christ (Eph. 3:8).

 

Matt. 11:6 “And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.’”

   YLT: “and happy is he who may not be stumbled in me.’”

   Meaning of Words: “offended”: take offence dislike and stumble.

   Literal Meaning: the Lord here implies that John the Baptist may be offended because of Him.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The name of the Lord is “a stone of stumbling and rock of offence” (Rom. 9:33). If believers do not have enough knowledge of the Lord they will probably be offended because of Him.

2) We should pray to the Lord for increasing knowledge of Him and we may not be offended because of Him.

3) John the Baptist blamed the Lord because he was unsatisfied with what the Lord had done. Anyone who is unpleasant with what the Lord had done is easy to be offended.

4) We should never study the Bible with our own concepts. We may be offended because of Him when the works and deeds of the Lord Jesus recorded in the Bible are not in agreement with what we except.

5) Let him that thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall (1Cor. 10:12).

6) Blessed is the one who willingly receives the circumstances and ways arranged by the Lord without any complaint.

7) When in tribulations we should learn to look upon the Lord instead of the circumstance and then we are able to praise the Lord without dissatisfaction or complaints.

8) When we learn not to blame the Lord our mourning will be turned into joy and tears will be turned into mirth.

9) Revelation and trial are relative. The revelation given by God to John the Baptist is great and so is his trial. Great trial will bring in great revelation.

10) The Lord’s appearance is the power to strengthen us. Only those who see the Lord Jesus in spirit will not be offended.

 

Matt. 11:7 “As they departed Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

   YLT: “And as they are going Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John `What went ye out to the wilderness to view? a reed shaken by the wind?”

   Meaning of Words: “see”: look closely at.

   The Background: When John the Baptist started to preach he was in “the wilderness” of Judah (Matt. 3:1). At that time all Judean went “out” to John (Matt. 3:5).

   Literal Meaning: “as they departed Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John.” The Lord encouraged him in the face of the disciples of John (see v.4-6) and praised him behind their back (see v.7-15).

  “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?” It means that men wouldn’t see common things specially.

   Spiritual Meaning: “reed” is easy to be broken (Matt. 12:20) and it symbolizes fragile men (1Kings. 14:15). The Lord meant in this verse that when John the forerunner of Christ was preaching in the wilderness he was not weak.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) A natural man likes to praise others in the face of them and speak ill of others behind their back. However the example of the Lord is just the other way.

2) Open rebuke is better than hidden love (Prov. 27:5). We should praise others behind their back lest they feel proud.

3) John the Baptist bore witness to Christ before men (Matt. 3:11-12) and the Lord Jesus bore witness to him in this place. Every one who bears witness to Christ before men will be testified by the Lord before men (See Matt. 10:32).

4) The state of John the Baptist that moment was like “a reed shaken by the wind”. However the Lord is merciful and He shall not break a bruised reed or quench the smoking flax (Matt. 12:20).

 

Matt. 11:8 “But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.

   YLT: “`But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in soft garments? lo those wearing the soft things are in the kings` houses.”

   Meaning of Words: “see”: be aware by implication to know and perceive (different from the “see” in v.7).

   Literal Meaning: “in soft garments”: panoply in the palace.

   Spiritual Meaning: “a man clothed in soft garments” symbolizes the man who takes forethought for the flesh (Rom. 13:14). The Lord here meant that you should not hold John as a man who seeks ease.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Common people like to know others according to flesh ------ utterance knowledge wearing making up and etc instead of their hearts (See 1Sam. 16:7).

2) A worker of the Lord should be strong (see v.7) and should not enjoy high position or live in ease and comfort.

 

Matt. 11:9 “But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes I say to you and more than a prophet.

   YLT: “`But what went ye out to see? a prophet? yes I say to you and more than a prophet ”

   Meaning of Words: “see”: be aware by implication to know and perceive (different from the “see” in v.7).

   Literal Meaning: “prophet” is the one who speaks for God.

  John the Baptist not only spoke for the Lord but also introduced Christ to men. Therefore he is more than a prophet. Moreover John was the landmark of transitional times------a person from the time of the prophets (the law) to the time of grace------therefore “he is more than a prophet”.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Lord instead of a man judges whether someone is great or not.

2) Personal experience of Christ (John the Baptist) is more useful than talking about Christ who has not been seen or touched (a prophet).

 

Matt. 11:10 “For this is he of whom it is written: "Behold I send My messenger before Your face Who will prepare Your way before You.'

   YLT: “for this is he of whom it hath been written Lo I do send My messenger before thy face who shall prepare thy way before thee.”

   Literal Meaning: “it is written”: it is quoted from Mal. 3:1

  “I send My messenger before Your face Who will prepare Your way before You.” This sentence shows that the ministry of John the Baptist is to prepare way for the King and prepare men’s hearts to receive Him.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) When John the Baptist was weak temporarily on one side the Lord further revealed Himself to encourage him (v.4-6) and on the other He bore strong witness to him before men (v.7-11). It shows that:

     a) The Lord never hit a person when he is down. It is not the spirit of Christ to flatter someone when he is strong and to condemn someone when he is weak.

     b) The Lord is able to sympathize with our infirmities (Heb. 4:15) and He never forgets men’s faithfulness towards Him.

     c) The Lord purposely bore strong witness to His servant in order to stop men’s excessive criticism to him when he was weak.

2) We should learn to fear God and do not judge the Lord’s servants especially when they are weak. It is this principle for David not dare to offend Saul.

3) The primary task for the Lord’s servants is to prepare way for the Lord. Any work that could not let the Lord have more way to work in men’s hearts is not serving the Lord.

 

Matt. 11:11 Assuredly I say to you among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

   YLT: “Verily I say to you there hath not risen among those born of women a greater than John the Baptist but he who is least in the reign of the heavens is greater than he.”

   Meaning of Words: “least”: little one.

   Literal Meaning: “among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist.” Here the so-called greatness is not measured by the highness of status or the greatness of ministry but the closeness of relation between men and Christ. Those who were born of women such as Abraham Moses Elias and other great men only had seen Christ “from afar off” (Heb. 11:13). However John the Baptist saw Christ with his eyes. Therefore he is greater than them.

  “But he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” “Who is least in the kingdom of heaven” are common believers and Christ dwells in them (Col. 1:27). However John the Baptist only knew Christ in the flesh. Therefore believers are greater than he. Moreover the least believer in the New Testament is a portion of the assembly i.e. a portion of the bride of Christ (see Eph. 5:25-27 32). John the Baptist was only a friend of the bridegroom (John. 3:29). Therefore believers are greater than John the Baptist from this angle.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Whether one is great or not depends on his relation with Christ. The closer one is to Christ the greater he is.

2) Any one who is born of water and of Spirit can enter into the kingdom of God (John. 3:5). This verse implies us that the life that is born of Spirit is more precious than the flesh that is born of the worm of his mother (“born of women”).

 

Matt. 11:12 “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force.

   YLT: “`And from the days of John the Baptist till now the reign of the heavens doth suffer violence and violent men do take it by force ”

   Meaning of Words: “violence”: to force to crowd oneself into and do one’s utmost; “suffers violence” is a word in original and it means to force; “take”: seize.

   The Background: When the Lord’s forerunner John the Baptist and the Lord Himself started to work to preach the glad tidings of the kingdom of heaven the Pharisees opposed them everywhere and barred men from entering into the kingdom of heaven. Therefore only those who dash ahead regardless of their own safety and take it by force are able to enter into the kingdom of heaven.

   Literal Meaning: this verse tells us the opportunities and requirements to take the kingdom of heaven by force:

   1) The kingdom of heaven could be taken by force and experienced “today” instead of in future. 

   2) One should take the kingdom of heaven by violence. This means that we should be willing to pay any price or sacrifice even to stake our necks for the sake of the kingdom of heaven (Rom. 16:4). Only this kind of people is worthy to seize the kingdom of heaven.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) It is the free grace for one’s being saved. However the one who wants to enter the kingdom of heaven should “suffer violence”. After we have been saved if we do not pursue the kingdom we will not receive the reward of the kingdom.

2) One has to suffer violence to enter the kingdom of heaven and therefore we should “run” instead of “walk” (See 1Cor. 9:24 26 Pill. 3:13-14 2Tim. 4:7). Draw me we will run after thee (Songs. 1:4).

3) Through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God (Acts. 14:22) and therefore we need spiritual struggle and effort (that is spiritual courage vigor insistence determination and regardlessness of any persecution).

4) The Lord’s words imply that if men want to enter into the kingdom of heaven they will be confronted with various kinds of obstructions including the concepts of religious regulations political persecutions the deep-rooted bad habits of loving ease and hating work one’s discouragement and lacking of ambitions and etc. Therefore only the violent and reckless ones are able to enter into the kingdom of heaven.

5) We should pay any price to let Christ reign in us. In this way we are living in the reality of the kingdom of heaven.

6) Entering into the kingdom of heaven is the thing that we have to do “now” and we should not wait until the Lord comes back for the second time or the time when we depart from this world to meet the Lord.

7) The opposite side of “violent” is common. We do not need to be offended commit sins or love the world purposely if we are only common Christians who muddle along we will be unable to enter into the kingdom of heaven.

 

Matt. 11:13 “For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

   YLT: “for all the prophets and the law till John did prophesy ”

   Literal Meaning: “all the prophets” spoke for God and prophesied the coming Christ. “The law” is the type of Christ. John the Baptist haven’t prophesied and he showed Christ to men (see John. 1:29). Therefore all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

  This verse shows that the revelations and prophesies about Christ in the time of the Old Testament came to a conclusion until John the Baptist. Now the body has come (Cor. 2:17) and the new time has began.

 

Matt. 11:14 “And if you are willing to receive it he is Elijah who is to come.

   YLT: “and if ye are willing to receive [it] he is Elijah who was about to come;”

   Literal Meaning: Elijah was the greatest prophet in the time of the Old Testament. It is prophesied in the Bible that he would come again (Mal. 4:5). His real coming will be fulfilled in the great Tribulation (Rev. 11:3-12).

  In this verse it means that Elijah is the one that comes to lead the Israel to repent and return to God. If you are willing to receive the lead of John the Baptist what he did right now is the same as what Elijah will do in future. Therefore he could be regarded as Elijah (See Matt. 17:10-13 Luke. 1:17).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) God has prepared grace for men and what matters is that whether men are willing to receive it. To those who are willing to receive objective knowledge will turn into their personal experience.

2) What the Lord values is men’s spirit. John the Baptist has the Spirit of Elijah (Luke. 1:17) and the Lord saw him as Elijah. If we have the spirit of Paul the Apostle (2Cor. 5:9) we are the Paul in the present age.

 

Matt. 11:15 “He who has ears to hear let him hear!

   YLT: “he who is having ears to hear let him hear.”

   Literal Meaning: this verse shows that the Lord’s words concerning John the Baptist are also said to us. We should have spiritual ear to hear the words of the Lord (see Rev. 2:7 11 17 29 3: 6 13 22).

 

Matt. 11:16But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions

   YLT: “`And to what shall I liken this generation? it is like little children in market-places sitting and calling to their comrades ”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The days are evil and easily make men foolish (Eph. 5:16-17) ignorant like children and insensitive to the Lord and the things that are of the Lord

2) We should not be children in minds but be grown (1Cor. 14:20).

 

Matt. 11:17 “and saying: "We played the flute for you And you did not dance; We mourned to you And you did not lament.'

   YLT: “and saying We piped unto you and ye did not dance we lamented to you and ye did not smite the breast.”

   Literal Meaning: “playing the flute” is like what men do in the wedding; “mourning” is like what men do in the funeral. The Lord meant that people of this world are as stubborn as children who neither play the game of wedding (playing the flute and dancing) nor play in the procession of funeral (mourning and lamentations).

  The Lord is merciful to the sinners who sat down with Him (See Matt. 9:10-13). It is like “playing the flute” to men. John the Baptist condemned men’s sins bluntly and asked men to repent (See Matt. 3:7-12). It is like “mourning” to men.

   Spiritual Meaning: “we played the flute for you and you did not dance.” It is a metaphor to show that when we preach the glad tidings of God’s grace to the world men are untouched.

  “We mourned to you and you did not lament.” It is a metaphor to show that when we preach warning news of God’s righteous judgment men are unwilling to repent.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Rejoice with those that rejoice weep with those that weep. Have the same respect one for another (Rom. 12:15-16).

2) Not dancing when others play the flute or lamenting when others mourn show that the Israel lack spiritual feelings and reactions. How common the phenomenon is in God’s children today.

3) Believers should have the spirit of meekness. On one side we should rejoice in God and everything that is of God (Luke. 1:47). On the other we should mourn in everything that is besides God (Matt. 5:4).

 

Matt. 11:18 “For John came neither eating nor drinking and they say He has a demon.'

   YLT: “`For John came neither eating nor drinking and they say He hath a demon;”

   Literal Meaning: “neither eating nor drinking.” It did not mean that he did not eat or drink at all. It meant that he did not eat or drink like the ordinary person (See Matt. 3:4).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) When the Lord was busy serving the folk and cannot even eat bread men said that He was out of His mind (Mark. 3:20-21). When believers hold heavy burdens in spirit so that they cannot eat or drink as usual (fasting) they are treated as strangers by others.

2) Christians are not ascetic. It is not their purpose for not to eat or drink or not get along with the world. To everything that may draw us into the world we should choose what we should choose and reject what we should reject regardless of others’ criticism.

 

Matt. 11:19 “The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they say Look a glutton and a winebibber a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But wisdom is justified by her children.’”

   YLT: “the Son of Man came eating and drinking and they say Lo a man a glutton and a wine-drinker a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners and wisdom was justified of her children.’”

   Literal Meaning: “the Son of Man came eating and drinking.” “The Son of Man” is the Lord Jesus (Matt. 16:13). “Eating and drinking” shows that His food and drink is like that of ordinary men.

  “But wisdom is justified by her children.” It shows that though John the Baptist and the Lord Jesus had different ways of life they were all right according to the results of conducts of their wisdom.

   Spiritual Meaning: “but wisdom is justified by her children.” “Wisdom” is Christ (1Cor. 1:24 30); “Her children” are those who fear God (See Prov. 9:10). Those who fear God do not judge by appearance but look upon Christ in everything and hold His guidance as foundation.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) John did not eat or drink and the Lord did eat and drink. They did not condemn each other for their contrary states. We should permit others to have absolute freedom in life styles. It is the most foolish to condemn and interfere what is different from us.

2) From the eyes of the Jews “neither eating nor drinking” and “eating and drinking” are both wrong. When men have their own opinions they are unable to accept others’ behaviors and it is wrong in their eyes no matter how others act. 

3) Christianity is not “neither eating nor drinking” nor “eating and drinking”. What Christianity values is not men’s outer ways but their inner intentions.

4) For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking but righteousness and peace and joy in Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17).

5) “Wisdom is justified by her children.” Those who hold fast Christ is the wisest ones.

6) Only those who have spiritual sights and truly fear God can know the Lord’s deeds.

7) Wisdom is justified by those that are of Christ and seek for Christ. The salvation arranged by God is justified by those who receive the Lord.

8) What believers should do their utmost to seek is the Lord Himself instead of ways teachings reasons or experience. It is not the Lord’s grace but the Lord who gives grace.

 

Matt. 11:20 “Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done because they did not repent:

   YLT: “Then began he to reproach the cities in which were done most of his mighty works because they did not reform.”

   Literal Meaning: “in which most of His mighty works had been done.” The Lord Jesus not only preached the glad tidings but also marked out Himself Son of God in power (Rom. 1:4).

   Spiritual Meaning: “they did not repent.” “Cities” symbolize organizations of the world. Those who are of this world are determined to reject the Lord.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Those that have blind faith in Charismatic in Christianity today hoping to conquer men’s hearts by doing mighty works should receive instruction from this verse.

2) There is a period to do mighty works to preach the glad tidings and the period should not be long. If men do not repent there will be rebuke after that.

 

Matt. 11:21Woe to you Chorazin! Woe to you 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.

   YLT: “`Wo to thee Chorazin! wo to thee Bethsaida! because if in Tyre and Sidon had been done the mighty works that were done in you long ago in sackcloth and ashes they had reformed;”

   Meaning of Words: “Chorazin”: secret; “Bethsaida”: the place of nets fishing-house and house of bread; “Tyre”: rock to suffer pains; “Sidon”: fishing hunting.

   The Background: “Woe to you Chorazin! Woe to you Bethsaida!” “Chorazin” “Bethsaida” and “Capernaum”(v.23) are big cities in Galilee and Decapolis. The Lord Jesus started to work in that region (See Matt. 4:23-25).

  “For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon.” “Tyre and Sidon” are old cities in Phoenicia which is in the north of Galilee. They had been ruined 300 years before Christ. Therefore the Lord Jesus had never been there.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Woe to the proud ones who think that only they in the world know the secret (meaning of “Chorazin”) and others know nothing of it.

2) Woe to this kind of people who can do everything but reject the Lord: they are good at preaching the glad tidings------“fishing” (the meaning of “Bethsaida”) and edifying the saints------“providing bread” (another meaning of “Bethsaida”).

3) Those who “have repented in sackcloth and ashes” will not fall into judgment. Without repentance it is impossible for men to be delivered from God’s judgment.

 

Matt. 11:22 “But I say to you it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.

   YLT: “but I say to you to Tyre and Sidon it shall be more tolerable in a day of judgment than for you.”

   Literal Meaning: “the day of judgment”: the day to face God’s judgment in doomsday.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) This verse shows that the judgment in future is not the same. There is the degree of seriousness concerning the judgments.

2) The consequence of the judgment in future is related to what we have received from the Lord today. Everyone to whom much is given from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed of him they will ask the more (Luke. 12:48).

 

Matt. 11:23 “And you Capernaum who are exalted to heaven will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom it would have remained until this day.

   YLT: “`And thou Capernaum which unto the heaven wast exalted unto hades shalt be brought down because if in Sodom had been done the mighty works that were done in thee it had remained unto this day;”

   Meaning of Words: Capernaum”: house of comfort the town of Nahum; “Sodom”: burn put on the anklet.

   Literal Meaning: Capernaum was the center of the Lord’s works and grace in the beginning. Heavenly blessing came to them and they did not receive it. Therefore they were definitely judged by God to turn into the desolate land.

  “You who are exalted to heaven will be brought down to Hades.” “Hades” was in the heart of the earth (See Matt. 12:40) and it was the temporary place for souls after men were dead (See Acts. 2:27 Luke. 16:22-23). The whole sentence shows that it has been brought down to the lowest status of punishment from the supreme status of honor (See Is. 14:13 15).

Enlightenment in the Word:

1) To those who have received “comfort” (the meaning of “Capernaum”) by repentance and then thought something of themselves today though they are exalted to heaven they will be brought down to Hades.

2) Many first shall be last and last first (Matt. 19:30 20:16).

     

Matt. 11:24 “But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.’”

   YLT: “but I say to you to the land of Sodom it shall be more tolerable in a day of judgment than to thee.’”

   The Background: Sodom” is the beginning place of homosexuality. The sin of Sodom is so grievous that it was destroyed by God (See Gen. 18:20 19:5 24).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) In the day of judgment the degrees of punishment depend on our reaction towards the Lord.

2) If those who had tasted the heavenly gift have fallen away their end will be worse than those who do not know the Lord (Heb. 6:4-8).

 

Matt. 11:25 “At that time Jesus answered and said "I thank You Father Lord of heaven and earth that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.

   YLT: “At that time Jesus answering said `I do confess to Thee Father Lord of the heavens and of the earth that thou didst hide these things from wise and understanding ones and didst reveal them to babes.”

   Literal Meaning: “at that time” is the time when the Lord was misunderstood despised slandered and rejected. “Jesus answered and said.” It shows that the words from v.25 to v.27 are His inner reaction towards the circumstances from v.20 to v.24.

  “I thank You Father Lord of heaven and earth.” “Father” shows that God is the fountainhead of everything. “Lord of heaven and earth” shows that God rules and arranges everything. When the Lord was in spiritless conditions He knew that everything that happened to Him is of God the Father (Rom. 8:28). “I thank You” shows that the Lord not only receives the arrangement from God’s hands but also receives it with thanksgiving.

  “You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.” It shows the principle by which God works. Though God is pleased to reveal Christ in men (Gal. 1:16) if a man wise and prudent in his own eyes wants to understand spiritual things by intelligence contrarily he will not receive revelations. Only those who are simple and open their hearts to God like babes will receive the full revelations.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) If one knows that Father is the “Lord of heaven and earth”------everything is under His mighty hands he will rest and be thankful in everything.

2) Though we have received the circumstances and things arranged by God many times we receive them unwillingly and there are complaints in our hearts. Therefore we are unable to have rest like the Lord. 

3) If we could see persons things and circumstance that we are encountered with from the principle by which God works we will have unconventional state and still have rest in many troubles.

4) Christians’ misfortune circumstances and things are God’s will. If we could receive everything as if receiving it from God’s hands we will not complain at all.

5) The most successful time of the cross’s works in us is the moment that God’s arrangement is different from our own opinion. If we are willing to submit to God at that time the cross will be truly working.

6) God’s works in us are related to our intentions and attitudes. The more our intentions are like babes the more grace we will receive from God.

7) The humble ones who are willing to be instructed usually receive God’s revelations (1Pet. 5:5).

8) Whoever knows the way that God does His work in his own eyes (“the wise and prudent”) does not know the will of God on the contrary. Whoever does not know anything in his own eyes (“babes”) is easy to know God’s will on the contrary.

9) The reason why one could not read the Bible very well is not that his brain is not good. It is that his brain is so good that he wants to use his own “wisdom and prudence” to read the Bible. Consequently he loses the attitude as “a babe” and God has hidden Himself from him.

10) Though the Lord said serious words from v.20 to v.24 He is full of thanksgiving and peace in Him. If we do not have the same intentions as the Lord in us we are unworthy to say serious words to others.

 

Matt. 11:26 “Even so Father for so it seemed good in Your sight.

   YLT: “Yes Father because so it was good pleasure before Thee.”

Meaning of Words: “good”: well-pleasing goodliness and wish.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “Even so Father.” It is the spirit of the Son and it is the attitude the Son should have. We should say “yes”------amen to everything that is of the Father.

2) We should seek God’s delight instead of our own delight in everything.

3) We should say “yes” i.e. “amen” to everything in which God delights. In this way we are still able to have rest even in adversity.

4) What seems good in Father’s sight is that: we should attain glory through tribulations we should reach the throne through cross we should overcome through failures and we should achieve spiritual peak through the losses of souls.

5)  What God really requires from His servant is not the effect of his work but whether he has the intention to do the will of God.

 

Matt. 11:27 “All things have been delivered to Me by My Father and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

   YLT: “`All things were delivered to me by my Father and none doth know the Son except the Father nor doth any know the Father except the Son and he to whom the Son may wish to reveal [Him].”

   Meaning of Words: “knows”: recognize (knowledge through subjective experience); “wills”: counsel; “reveal”: take off the cover disclose.

   Literal Meaning: “all things have been delivered to Me by My Father.” It has two meanings:

1) All my misfortune and “possessions” are from God instead of men. Therefore there is no need for us to complain others.

2) Since everything is from God it seems good in His sight and therefore we should receive everything willingly.

“No one knows the Son except the Father.” It is just that men do not know the Lord because only Father and those who have been revealed by the Father know Him. It implies that: even if men do not know or understand me I am satisfied and able to have rest only if the Father knows me. 

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “All things have been delivered to Me by My Father.” It shows that:

    a) The Lord submits to all the arrangements of the Father.

    b) The Lord will inherit all the things of the Father ultimately.

   What happens to the firstborn will happen to the sons of God. Anyone who submits to all the arrangements of the Father with the Lord will ultimately inherit all things with Him.

2) “Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son and the one to whom the Son will sot reveal Him.” Only those who have been revealed by the Father know the Son (See John. 16:17). Only those who have been revealed by the Son know the Father. The knowledge of the Divine Trinity must be of revelations.

3) Only those who have rest in being merely known by God are able to know God. Only those who know God are able to lead men to know God (John. 17:25-26).

 

Matt. 11:28Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.

   YLT: “`Come unto me all ye labouring and burdened ones and I will give you rest ”

   Meaning of Words: “labor”: feel fatigue to work hard; “who are heavy laden”: overburdened; “rest”: refresh.

   Literal Meaning: “all you who labor and are heavy laden” It is the real condition of the world: they not only have the “labor” of life (Gen. 3:17) but also the burdens of sins.

  To believers we suffer pain when struggling with sin (Rom. 7:24) laboring for the works of the Lord (Col. 1:28-29) and having every weight (Heb. 12:1).

  “I will give you rest.” It is “I will rest you” in original.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) If one wants to have the Lord’s rest he has to know that he is the one “who labors and is heavy laden.”

2) Only those who come to the Lord will truly have rest. Moreover the most important thing is that we have to come to the Lord with hearts.

3) “Coming” is our duty and except this we could do nothing. All are done by the Lord.

 

Matt. 11:29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls.

   YLT: “take up my yoke upon you and learn from me because I am meek and humble in heart and ye shall find rest to your souls ”

   Meaning of Words: “gentle”: meek; “lowly”: humble low degree base; “take”: take up carry; “yoke”: balance shackle.

   Literal Meaning: “I am gentle and lowly.” “Gentle” means soft. One is not willing to resist or reject others’ opposition and affray. “Lowly” means humble but not proud. One does not plan for himself or desire something for himself. He is indignant at others’ contempt and rejection.

  “Take My yoke upon you.” “Taking My yoke” is to take the yoke with the Lord. Every burden measured by God to us is the yoke of the Lord. Every burden of men is not the yoke of the Lord.

  “Learn from Me.” “The Lord’s example” is the Lord’s attitude towards “yoke”. He is willing to give up His own rights and receive various kinds of limits for the sake of the will of God.

  “You will find rest for your souls.” Here the rest is in the souls instead of in the outside circumstances. Though the outside circumstances keep the same the state in one’s soul is totally different.

  Verse 28 pays attention to having rest by being delivered from the labor and burdens of sins and verse 29 lays stress on finding rest by being delivered from the disobedient “self” towards God.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “I am gentle and lowly in heart.” It is the reason why the Lord finds rest and it is also the condition that we may find rest.

2) Those that fully submit to the will of God do nothing for themselves and do not hope to gain something for themselves will have true rest in their souls.

3) “Taking my yoke upon you” is obeying and serving the Lord. If we obey and receive all the commissions works and services from the Lord willingly we will “find rest for our souls”.

4) If we want to yoke with the Lord we have to adjust our steps and pace to ape the Lord at every step and with the same pace.

5) The true rest is the quietness and confidence in one’s heart. It has nothing with the objective circumstances and it could not be affected by outside world.

 

Matt. 11:30 “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.’”

   YLT: “for my yoke [is] easy and my burden is light.’”

   Meaning of Words: “easy”: pleasant kind useful;

  The Background: men in the Middle East usually let an old cattle yoke with a young cattle in order to train the younger one to labor. Under this condition most of the burden is on the body of the old cattle and the younger one only learns from the Lord by following Him.

Literal Meaning: “My yoke is easy and My burden is light” because we yoke with the Lord who Himself shoulders most of the heavy burden and also gives us sufficient grace (2Cor. 12:9) letting us not feel the hardship of the yoke.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” If we feel that the burden is heavy probably the burden is not of the Lord because the Lord will not bind burdens heavy and hard on our shoulders to bear (See Matt. 23:4).

2) The Lord’s example is restful the Lord’s yoke is easy the Lord’s burden is light. If we do not feel His example restful His yoke easy or His burden light probably these are not of the Lord.

3) If we are united to the Lord and communicate with the Lord everything will turn to be easy and light.

4) When we fully obey God in deed we will feel that it is not difficult. What is difficult is that our hearts haven’t fully submitted to God.

5) When you feel that you are taking the cross you will think that the cross is very heavy. When you crucify yourselves on the cross and let the cross take you you will feel that the cross is vey light.

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

The Example of the Lord of Preaching

I. He moved others by teachings (v.1-6).

II. He moved others by testimonies (v.7-15).

III. He moved others by rebuke (v.16-24).

IV. He moved others by gracious words (v.25-30).

 

The King’s Rest

I. The background of the king’s rest:

A. He was misunderstood by His forerunner (v.2-3).

B. He was despised by the world (v.16-17).

C. He was ridiculed and slandered by men (v.18-19).

D. He was rejected by the cities (v.20-24).

II. The example of the king’s rest:

A. He set a good example with His own conduct (v.1).

B. He encouraged the weak (v.4-6).

C. He praised the person after his face (v.7-15).

III. The secret of the king’s rest:

A. In everything give thanks (v.25).

B. Obey the will of God (v.26-27).

IV. The king calls men to have rest:

A. Those who find rest (v.28):

    1. They have the need of rest.

    2. They should “come”.

B. The way to find rest (v.29):

        1. One should “take my yoke”------“my yoke is easy and my burden is light”.

        2. One should learn from Him------“He is gentle and lowly in heart”.

 

The Power Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven should Have

I. The power to stand fast and not be offended (v.6).

II. The power to be eager to achieve the goal directly (“suffering violence”) (v.12).

III. The power of spiritual discernment (“wisdom is justified by her children”) (v.19).

IV. The power to do the will of God (“so it seemed good in Your sight”) (v.25-27).

V. The power to “find rest” in toilsome service (v.28-30).

 

The reason of the Lord’s rest in adversities

I. “I thank you Father Lord of heaven and earth.” (v.25a).

A. All the circumstances are under the control of God because He is the “Lord of heaven and earth”.

B. All the circumstances are for our profit (See Heb. 12:10) because He is the kind “Father”.

C. Thank Him because of His grace.

II. “You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes” (v.25b).

A. These things happen according to the principle by which God works.

B. The reason why men treat me unfairly is that they do not know the will of God.

III. “Even so Father for so it seemed good in Your sight.” (v.26).

A. Father is always “Yes” and His will is always “good”.

B. Therefore we should say “Yes”------“Amen” to all the circumstances arranged by the Father.

IV. “All things have been delivered to Me by My Father.” (v.27a).

    A. What we are confronted with and the things we receive are from the Father instead of men.

    B. None of these things may happen to us without the permission of the Father.

V. “No one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” (v.27b).

    A. I am satisfied only if Father knows me even if men do not know or understand me.

    B. The reason why men do not know or understand me is that they do not know Father.

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Sharon Ren