Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 11:13

"For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John." — Matthew 11:13 (ASV)

In view of the preceding, “until John” means up to and including John. John the Baptist belongs to the last stage of the divine economy before the inauguration of the kingdom. The entire OT has a prophetic function, a function it maintained up until, and including, John the Baptist.

In the twin settings of Matthew’s “fulfillment” theme (5:17–20) and the role of John the Baptist (11:10), it is understood that now, after John the Baptist, that which the Prophets and Law prophesied has come to pass—the kingdom has dawned and Messiah has come. This establishes the primary function of the OT in Matthew’s gospel: it points to Jesus and the kingdom—this confirms our interpretation of 5:17–20. And from the time of the inauguration of the kingdom, the kingdom itself has been forcefully advancing.