Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Matthew 11

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Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Matthew 11


Verse Commentaries:



Chapter Level Commentary:
Matthew 11

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

UBS4 NKJV NRSV TEV NJB
The Messengers of John the Baptist John the Baptist Sends Messengers Narratives Illustrate the Authority Claimed by Jesus The Messengers from John the Baptist (Mat_10:40 -Mat_11:1) (Matt. 11:2-15:50) Mat_11:1-19 Mat_11:1 Mat_11:1 The Baptist's Question; Jesus Commands him Mat_11:2-15 Mat_11:2-6 Mat_11:2-3 Mat_11:2-6 Mat_11:4-6 Mat_11:7-15 Mat_11:7-15 Mat_11:7-10

(Mat_11:10 b) Mat_11:11-15 Jesus Condemns his Contemporaries Mat_11:16-19 Mat_11:16-19 Mat_11:16-19 Mat_11:16-19

(Mat_11:17) Woes to Unrepentant Cities Woes to the Impenitent Cities The Unbelieving Towns Lament Over the Lake-Towns Mat_11:20-24 Mat_11:20-24 Mat_11:20-24 Mat_11:20-24 Mat_11:20 Mat_11:21-24 Come to Me and Rest Jesus Gives True Rest Come to Me and Rest The Good News Revealed to the Simple. The Father and the Son Mat_11:25-30 Mat_11:25-30 Mat_11:25-27 Mat_11:25-26 Mat_11:25-27 Mat_11:27 The Gentle Mastery of Christ Mat_11:28-30 Mat_11:28-30 Mat_11:28-30

READING CYCLE THREE (from "hyperlink")

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph

2. Second paragraph

3. Third paragraph

4. Etc.



BACKGROUND TO MATTHEW Mat_11:1-30

A. This chapter has often been described as unrelated stories, but the unifying factor seems to be the answer to the question, "Why was Jesus' ministry not more outwardly successful?"



B. John the Baptist is a central character in this chapter (cf. Joh_1:6-8; Joh_1:19-36). He was the last of the Old Testament prophets (cf. Mat_11:9).



C. Isaiah lists several actions by which the Jews could recognize the Messiah, of whom John the Baptist was forerunner (i.e., Isa_40:3; Mal_3:1; Mal_4:5 b). These are the very actions of Jesus recorded in Matthew 8, 9.



DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.

1. Why did John the Baptist doubt that Jesus was the promised coming Messiah?

2. Why did Jesus say that John the Baptist was not in the new kingdom of God?

3. How does Mat_11:17 apply to Jesus and John the Baptist?

4. Will there be degrees of punishment?

5. Does Jesus invite all men to come unto Him or just certain chosen ones?

6. Define the terms "burden" and "yoke" in their cultural/religious setting.