Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 11:30

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

The “yoke” (GK 2433), put on animals for pulling heavy loads, is a metaphor for the discipline of discipleship. If Jesus is not offering the yoke of the law, neither is he offering freedom from all constraints. The “yoke” is Jesus’ yoke; discipleship must be to him. In view of v.27, the expression “learn from me” must mean “learn from the revelation that I alone impart.” The marvelous feature of this invitation is that out of his overwhelming authority (v.27) Jesus encourages the burdened to come to him because he is “gentle [GK 4558] and humble [GK 5424] in heart.” Matthew stresses Jesus’ gentleness (18:1–10; 19:13–15). Apparently the theme is connected with the messianic servant language (Isaiah 42:2–3; Isaiah 53:1–2) that recurs in 12:15–21. Authoritative teacher that he is, Jesus approaches us with a true servant’s gentleness.

The words “and you will find rest for your souls” (cf. v.28) are directly quoted from Jer 6:16. The entire verse is steeped in OT language; most likely this is a fulfillment passage, where Jesus is saying that “the ancient paths” and “the good way” of Jer 6:16 lie in taking on his yoke, because he is the one to whom the OT Scriptures point. The “rest” he promises is not only for the world to come but for this one as well. There is also irony here: Jesus offers real rest, while his opponents cannot do more than impose misguided standards of Sabbath rest (12:1ff.).