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Mat 11:12. Δὲ, but) Used antithetically in this sense-viz., although John is less than the least in the kingdom of heaven, yet even from the beginning of the days of John the Baptist, the kingdom of heaven exercises force. The kingdom of heaven came not in John, but immediately after John.-βιάζεται, pushes itself forward as it were by violence) Consider attentively ch. Mat 13:32-33, and Luk 14:23. The LXX. frequently use βιάζομαι, to signify, to employ force. John calls in a mournful, Jesus in a joyful strain.[522] And there is a metonymy of kingdom for King, i.e. the Messiah. See Gnomon on ch. Mat 4:17.-βιασταὶ, they who employ force) See Luk 13:24. There is no complaint here of hostile force, for the complaint begins at Mat 11:16. βιάζεται and ΒΙΑΣΤΑῚ are correlative.[523]-ἉΡΠΆΖΟΥΣΙΝ, seize) in order that by seizing it with swift force, all obstacles having been broken through, they may obtain the blessing which is offered them.[524] See Luk 7:29.
[522] In the original, “Johannes lamentatur; Jesus canit,”-lit. “John laments; Jesus sings.”-(I. B.)
[523] It is in this way that the work goes on briskly, and advances as successfully as one could wish.-V. g.
[524] Just as happens in the case of wares exposed for sale in public.-V. g.