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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat_11:7-15
7As these men were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings'palaces! 9But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. 10This is the one about whom it is written,
Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You,
Who will prepare Your way before You.'
11Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than Hebrews 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force. 13For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John 14 And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
Mat_11:7 "A reed shaken by the wind" Notice the threefold parallelism, "what did you go out to see?" John was like Elijah; he fulfilled the predictions fo Mal_3:1 and Isa_40:3 (cf. Mar_1:2-3).
This may relate to (1) John's doubt which had just been expressed publicly in his question (i.e., Mat_11:3) or (2) John's steadfast character and moral courage in denouncing sin (i.e., the Pharisees'and Herod's).
Mat_11:9 "and one who is more than a prophet" John was not the first gospel preacher, but the last OT prophet predicted by Isaiah and Malachi. It is difficult to compare OT prophets with NT prophets. OT prophets wrote Scripture, but not NT prophets. Some of the Apostles, like Paul, claimed to be a prophet, but not all. What then is the purpose of the NT gift? See Special Topic below.
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Mat_11:10 "this is the one about whom it is written" This is a quote from Mal_3:1. It was a reference to a royal visit and the feverous preparation which preceded it. Mar_1:2-3 is a composite quote from Mal_3:1 and Isa_40:3. This same concept is found in Isa_57:14; Isa_62:10.
Matthew collects the life and teachings of Jesus to convince Jews that He is the Messiah (the Coming One). This is done by quoting many OT texts. They are introduced in a variety of ways.
1. a prophet is unnamed or alluded to
a. the prophet, Mat_1:22 (unnamed, Isa_7:14)
b. the prophet, Mat_2:5 (unnamed, Mic_5:2
c. the prophet, Mat_13:35 (unnamed, Psa_78:2)
d. the prophet, Mat_21:4 (unnamed, Isa_62:11)
2. a prophet is named
a. Isaiah -- Mat_3:3; Mat_4:14; Mat_12:17; Mat_13:14; Mat_15:7
b. Jeremiah -- Mat_2:18; Mat_27:9
3. it is written (perfect passive), Mat_4:6; Mat_4:10; Mat_11:10; Mat_21:13; Mat_26:24; Mat_26:31
4. God said, Mat_15:4; Mat_22:31
5. have you not read, Mat_19:4; Mat_21:16; Mat_21:42
6. Moses said, Mat_22:24
7. David in the Spirit, Mat_22:43
Jesus' birth, life, death, resurrection, and return were fulfillments of OT prophecy (cf. Mat_26:54-56).
Mat_11:11 "Truly" This is literally "amen," the Hebrew word for faith (cf. Hab_2:4). Its original etymology meant "to be firm" or "to be sure." It was often used initially by Jesus to introduce a significant statement. See Special Topic at Mat_5:18.
▣ "among those born of women" This verse is not a put down of John the Baptist, but an affirmation that he was the last of the OT prophets (cf. Mat_13:16-17). In a sense this was Jesus' way of affirming the significance of the new age (New Covenant, Jer_31:31-34; Eze_36:22-38), inaugurated by Himself.
Mat_11:12
NASB, NKJV,
NRSV " the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force"
TEV " the Kingdom of heaven has suffered violent attacks, and violent men try to seize it"
NJB "The Kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence and the violent are taking it by storm"
There has been much discussion about what this verse meant and how it should be translated. The first phrase can (1) in a positive sense, indicate that the kingdom of heaven is vigorously pressing forward, or (2) in a negative sense, refer to the violent reaction of the Jewish leaders to both John and Jesus' preaching.
The second phrase seems to be a play on the word " vigorous" and was used of sinners eagerly grasping, or responding to, the gospel (cf. Luk_16:16). The Septuagint uses this verb in the sense of a "strong invitation" (cf. Gen_33:11; Jdg_19:7). See Special Topic: The Kingdom of God at Mat_4:17.
Mat_11:13 "for all the prophets and Law" The Hebrew canon was divided into three sections, "the Law," " the Prophets," and "the Writings." This was the NT way of indicating the entire OT (cf. Luk_24:44). The OT pointed toward Jesus and the gospel.
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Mat_11:13 "until John" This seems to imply that the old covenant comes to an end (cf. Galatians 3 and the book of Hebrews) with the preaching of John the Baptist, who was the last old covenant prophet. Something radically new has come in Jesus. John is His forerunner! The new age of the Spirit; the new covenant; the promise of Gen_3:15; Gen_12:3 has come!
Mat_11:14 "if" This is a first class conditional sentence which is assumed to be true from the author's perspective or for his literary purposes.
▣ "John himself is Elijah who was to come" This is implied in Luk_1:17. In Joh_1:20-25, John denied that he was Elijah, but this was in the context of the specific questioning by the Pharisees. John was denying that he was Elijah reborn. Jesus asserted that John fulfilled the prophecy of the return of Elijah before the Messiah from Mal_3:1; Mal_4:5, (cf. Mat_11:10).
Mat_11:15 "He who has ears to hear, let him hear" This idiom (present participle and present imperative) refers to the fact that unless the Holy Spirit aids believers'insight they cannot understand spiritual truth (cf. Isa_6:9-10; Isa_50:5; Mat_13:9; Mat_13:43; Mar_4:9; Mar_4:23; Luk_8:8; Luk_14:35; very similar to Rev_2:7; Rev_2:11; Rev_2:17; Rev_2:29; Rev_3:6; Rev_3:13; Rev_3:22; Rev_13:9). However, it also implies that the willingness of the individual to hear and respond is also necessary. Revelation involves a divine sender and a human hearer/responder (i.e., covenant).