John Gill Commentary Matthew 11:13

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

For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John .
These words are to be considered in connection with (Matthew 11:11) and are a further proof of John's being greater than any of the prophets; because all the inspired writers and prophets, who were before him, prophesied of the Messiah as to come; and either spoke of him in obscure terms, or represented him under dark shadows and figures: whereas John spoke of him as already come, and in plain terms, and directed to his very person;

and since his time, there has been no prophecies concerning the Messiah and his kingdom; vision and prophecy are now sealed up; all which are acknowledged by the Jews themselves, who ^F2 say, (xyvmh twmyl ala wabntn al zlwk Myaybnh lk) , "all the prophets did not prophesy but to, or of the days of the Messiah". This was the subject, and these the limits of their prophecies; for they own ^F3 , that "from the day that the temple was destroyed, (yaybnh Nm) (hawbn hlyjb) , prophecy was taken away from the prophets." Since that time, they confess they have had no prophet ^F4 , and that they are not able to observe their signs.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F2: T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 34. 2. Sabbat, fol. 63. 1. Sanhedrim, fol. 99. 1.
• F3: T. Bava Bathra, fol. 12. 1.
• F4: Abarbinel in Dan. fol. 63. 4.