A.T. Robertson Commentary Matthew 11
A.T. Robertson Commentary
Matthew 11
A.T. Robertson Commentary
Matthew 11
"And it came to pass when Jesus had finished commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and preach in their cities." — Matthew 11:1 (ASV)
He departed thence to teach and preach (μετεβη εκειθεν του διδασκειν κα κηρυσσειν). In five instances (7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1) after great discourses by Jesus "the transition to what follows is made with the formula, 'And it came to pass when Jesus had ended'" (McNeile). This is a wrong chapter division, for 11:1 belongs with the preceding section. "
Commanding " (διατασσων, complementary participle with ετελεσεν), means giving orders in detail (δια-) for each of them. Note both "teach and preach" as in 4:23. Where did Jesus go? Did he follow behind the twelve as he did with the seventy "whither he himself was about to come" (Luke 10:1)? Bruce holds with Chrysostom that Jesus avoided the places where they were, giving them room and time to do their work. But, if Jesus himself went to the chief cities of Galilee on this tour, he would be compelled to touch many of the same points. Jesus would naturally follow behind at some distance. At the end of the tour the apostles come together in Capernaum and tell Jesus all that they had done and that they had taught . Matthew follows the general outline of Mark, but the events are not grouped in chronological order here.
"Now when John heard in the prison the works of the Christ, he sent by his disciples" — Matthew 11:2 (ASV)
John heard in the prison (ο δε Ιωανης ακουσας εν τω δεσμωτηριω). Probably (Luke 7:18) the raising of the son of the widow of Nain. The word for prison here is the place where one was kept bound (Acts 5:21,23; 16:26). See Mt 4:12. It was in Machaerus east of the Dead Sea which at this time belonged to the rule of Herod Antipas (Jos. Ant. XVIII. v.2). John's disciples had access to him. So he sent word by (δια, not δυο as in Lu 7:19) them to Jesus.
"and said unto him, Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another?" — Matthew 11:3 (ASV)
He that cometh (ο ερχομενος). This phrase refers to the Messiah (Luke 13:35; Luke 19:38; Hebrews 10:37; Psalms 118:26; Daniel 7:13). Some rabbis applied the phrase to some forerunner of the kingdom (McNeile). Was there to be "another" (ετερον) after Jesus? John had been in prison "long enough to develop a prison mood" (Bruce). It was once clear enough to him, but his environment was depressing and Jesus had done nothing to get him out of Machaerus (see chapter IX in my John the Loyal). John longed for reassurance.
"And Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and tell John the things which ye hear and see:" — Matthew 11:4 (ASV)
The things which ye do hear and see (α ακουετε κα βλεπετε). This symbolical message was for John to interpret, not for them.
"the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good tidings preached to them." — Matthew 11:5 (ASV)
And the dead are raised up (κα νεκρο εγειροντα). Like that of the son of the widow of Nain. Did he raise the dead also on this occasion? "Tell John your story over again and remind him of these prophetic texts, Isaiah 35:5; 61:1 " (Bruce). The items were convincing enough and clearer than mere eschatological symbolism. "The poor" in particular have the gospel, a climax.
Jump to: