A Deeper Look at Matthew: An End-Times Bible Study
Copyright 2012
 
 
Matthew 11
 
            This chapter begins with Jesus ending his exhortations to the disciples and departing to teach and preach in their cities.
            John the Baptist hears of the works of Christ while in prison and sends two of his disciples to Jesus to ask Him if He is the one to come, or if they should look for another.  Jesus commands these two disciples to show to John the things they hear and see, namely, that the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
            Why does Jesus say "the poor" have the gospel preached to them?  Why does He not say "the multitudes" or "the rich?"  Well, who is most likely to embrace Jesus and the gospel He shares?  Remember that the majority of people are on the broad way to destruction (Matthew 7:13).  So, Jesus did not say "the multitudes" because He knows that most of them are going to hell.  But, why did He not say that "the rich" have the gospel preached to them?  Because the rich are the least likely to embrace Jesus and the gospel He has to share!  Jesus says in Luke 18:24b, "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God."  For the most part, what is the most important thing in a rich person's life?  That's right - MONEY!  Most people that are rich become that way because the most important thing in their life is money!  And, for this same reason, rich people that put money first are the most evil people on the face of the earth (1 Timothy 6:10).  Rich people do not put their faith and trust in Jesus - no, they want MONEY!
            Jesus says in 11:6 that blessed is the person who is not offended by Him.  Blessed are those people who do not take offense at the name of Jesus.  Those people who do not like hearing the word "Jesus" are certainly NOT blessed because those are the people who are going to hell.
            Jesus teaches the people about John the Baptist in Matthew 11:7-14.  John did not wear soft clothing like that of kings.  Jesus says John was more than a prophet because it was he who fulfilled Malachi 3:1 - "Behold, I send My messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee."  He says in 10:11 that there has not risen a greater [person] than John the Baptist but he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
            Jesus says something peculiar in 11:12, that "from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force."  I do not know what this means.  Jesus goes on to say in 11:13 that all the prophets and law prophesied until John.  Finally in 11:14-15, Jesus says John is a reincarnated Elijah (Malachi 4:5 fulfillment) but only those with ears to hear will hear.  That is, only those who have the Spirit of God will be quickened to understand the things of God.
            Jesus says in 11:16-17 that this generation is like children sitting in the markets calling unto their fellows, saying, "We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented."
            Jesus says in 11:18 that John (the Baptist) came neither eating nor drinking, yet they say he hath a devil (demon).  Well, we know that John ate locusts and wild honey (Matthew 3:4).  Furthermore, Luke 1:15 says John would drink neither wine nor strong drink.
            Jesus says in 11:19 that the people call Him a glutton and a winebibber because He came eating and drinking and is a friend of publicans (tax collectors) and sinners.  Jesus says that "wisdom is justified of her children."  What does this mean?  Well, what happens when you utter a wise word or take an action based on wisdom?  It produces good fruit!  Wisdom is justified by her children, that is, by the good fruit it bears.  Foolish words yield bad fruit, that is strife and discord.  Good, wise words, yield good fruit.
            Jesus, in 11:20-25, upbraids the cities where His mighty works were done because they did not repent.  He specifically mentions Chorazin and Bethsaida, saying that if He had done His mighty works in Tyre and Sidon, they would have long since repented in sackcloth and ashes.  This goes to demonstrate how stiff-necked and hard of heart these cities were.  They literally paid no attention to the miracles Jesus did or to the doctrine He taught.  He goes on to say in 11:22 that it will be more tolerable at the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for Chorazin and Bethsaida.  He also mentions that if His mighty works had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until the time of Jesus.  Chorazin, although highly exalted, will be brought down to hell.  Sodom will have a lighter judgment than them.  Evangelist Billy Graham is quoted as saying, "If God doesn't soon bring judgment upon America, He'll have to go back and apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah!"
            Jesus thanks God the Father in 11:25 that God reveals the deeper things to the babes while hiding these things from the wise and prudent.  A babe is one who is not highly educated, wealthy, and an "important" person; it is one who is humble and Spirit-filled.  Jesus says in 18:3 that if you do not humble yourself AS A LITTLE CHILD (babe), you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  Contrariwise, the "wise and prudent" Jesus mentions in this verse are the rich (Proverbs 28:11), well-educated, and those holding "important" positions in society  Jesus says this because these people think they are "wise and prudent," not because they really are.  Take note that Jesus speaks in parables to the "wise and prudent" in Matthew 13 but that he explains the deeper meaning of the parables to His own disciples.  Jesus says in Matthew 13:13 that these people, seeing see not and hearing hear not.  God always reveals the important things to the humble of heart (babes) but keeps these things from the prideful know-it-alls (wise and prudent).
            Jesus says in 11:27 that His Father has given Him all things.  He says no one knows the Son but the Father, and no one knows the Father but the Son, and those people to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.
            Finally, look at 11:28-30.  Jesus commands all those who labor and are heavy laden to come unto Him and He will give them rest.  Jesus tells them to take His yoke and learn of Him, for He is meek and lowly in heart, for there they shall find rest for their souls.  Jesus' yoke is easy and His burden is light.  This is SO true.  Think about it.  Jesus is a man of no pretense.  He is not like the world, that is full of egoistic people who hustle for money and material possessions.  Jesus' way is a simple and easy one, unlike the way of the world that is full of lies, confusion, and discord.