Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 11:30

"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." — Matthew 11:30 (ASV)

My yoke is easy, etc. That is, the services that I will require are easily rendered. They are not burdensome, like all other systems of religion. So the Christian always finds them. In coming to Him, there is a peace which surpasses all understanding; in believing in Him, joy; in following Him through evil and good report, a comfort which the world does not give; in bearing trials, and in persecution, the hope of glory; and in keeping His commandments, great reward.

REMARKS ON MATTHEW CHAPTER 11

1. Anxiety about the person and works of Christ is particularly proper (Matthew 11:2–3). John was concerned to ascertain His true character; and nothing is of more importance for all people than to understand His true character and will. On Him depends all the hope that humanity has of happiness beyond the grave. He saves, or people must perish. He will save, or we must die forever. With what earnestness, therefore, should the old and the young inquire into His character and will! Our eternal well-being demands it; and while this is delayed, we are endangering our everlasting happiness.

2. Clear proof has been provided that Jesus is the Christ and can save us (Matthew 11:4–5). If His miracles did not prove that He came from God, nothing can prove it. If He could open the eyes of the blind, then He can enlighten the sinner; if He could unstop the ears of the deaf, then He can cause us to hear and live; if He could heal the sick and make the lame walk, then He can heal our spiritual ailments and make us walk in the way of life; if He could raise the dead, then He can raise those dead in sin and breathe into us the breath of eternal life. If He was willing to do all this for the body, which is soon to die, then He will be much more willing to do it for the soul, that never dies. Then the poor lost sinner may come and live.

3. We see, in this chapter, Christ's manner of praising or complimenting people (Matthew 11:7–15). He gave, in no uncertain terms, His exalted opinion of John; gave him praise that had been bestowed on no other mortal; ranked him far above the purest and most sublime of the prophets. But this was not done in the presence of John, nor was it done in the presence of those who would inform John of it. It was when the disciples of John had "departed," and His commendation of John was spoken to "the multitude" (Matthew 11:7). He waited until His disciples were gone, doubtless perceiving that they would be likely to report what He said in praise of their master, and then expressed His high opinion of his character. The practice of the world is to praise others to their faces, or in the presence of those who will be sure to inform them of it, and to speak evil of them when absent. Jesus delivered His unfavorable opinions of others to the people themselves; He took pains to commend their excellences where they would not be likely to hear of them. He did good to both, and in both cases, He prevented the existence of pride.

4. The wicked take great pains, and are often fickle and inconsistent, for the sake of abusing and slandering religious people (Matthew 11:18–19). They found much fault with our Savior for doing the very same thing for which they blamed John for not doing. So it is commonly with those who slander professors of religion. They risk their own characters to prove that others are hypocrites or sinners. The object is not truth, but calumny and opposition to religion; and to this day, no means have been too despicable or too wicked to pour contempt on the followers of Christ.

5. The purest characters may expect the attacks of calumny and malice, and often in proportion to their purity (Matthew 11:19). Even the Savior of the world was accused of being intemperate and a glutton. If the only perfectly pure Being that ever walked the earth was thus accused, let His followers not think that anything strange has happened to them if they are falsely accused.

6. Judgments will overtake guilty people, cities, and nations (Matthew 11:21–22). They fell on Sodom, Tyre, Sidon, and Capernaum. They may be long delayed; but in due time the hand of God will fall on the wicked, and they will die, die forever.

7. The wicked will suffer in proportion to their privileges (Matthew 11:23–24). So it was with Capernaum. And if those of ancient days suffered thus—if more tremendous judgments fell on them than even on guilty Sodom—what will be the doom of those who go down to hell from this day of light? The Savior was indeed there a few days; He worked a few miracles. But they did not have, as we have, all His instructions; they did not have Sabbath schools and Bible classes and the regular preaching of the gospel; nor was the world blessed then as it is now with extensive and powerful revivals of religion. How awful must be the doom of those who are educated in the ways of religion, who are instructed from Sabbath to Sabbath, who grow up amidst the means of grace, and then are lost!

8. The poor and needy, the weary and heavy-laden, the soul sick of sin and the world, conscious of guilt, and afraid to die, may come to Jesus Christ and live (Matthew 11:28–30). The invitation is as wide as the world. The child and the old man may seek and find salvation at the feet of the same Savior. No age is too young; no sinner is too old. Christ is full of mercy, and all who come will find peace. Oh, how should we, in this sinful and miserable world, weighed down with sin and exposed each moment to death—how should we come and find the peace which He has promised to all, and take the yoke which all have found to be light!