Matthew Henry Commentary Matthew 11
Matthew Henry Commentary
Matthew 11
Matthew Henry 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)
Our Divine Redeemer never was weary of His labor of love; and we should not be weary of well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
"Now when John heard in the prison the works of the Christ, he sent by his disciples and said unto him, Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and tell John the things which ye hear and see: 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. And blessed is he, whosoever shall find no occasion of stumbling in me." — Matthew 11:2-6 (ASV)
Some think that John sent this inquiry for his own satisfaction. Where there is true faith, there may yet be a mixture of unbelief. The remaining unbelief in good people may sometimes, in an hour of temptation, call into question the most important truths. But we hope that John's faith did not fail in this matter, and that he only desired to have it strengthened and confirmed.
Others think that John sent his disciples to Christ for their satisfaction. Christ pointed them to what they heard and saw. Christ's gracious condescensions and compassions to the poor show that he was the one who would bring to the world the tender mercies of our God.
The things that people see and hear, if compared with the Scriptures, show the way salvation is to be found. It is difficult to conquer prejudices, and dangerous not to conquer them; but for those who believe in Christ, their faith will be found to lead all the more to praise, honour, and glory.
"And as these went their way, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? a reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in soft [raiment]? Behold, they that wear soft [raiment] are in king`s houses. But wherefore went ye out? to see a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who shall prepare thy way before thee. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not arisen a greater than John the Baptist: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and men of violence take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye are willing to receive [it,] this is Elijah, that is to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." — Matthew 11:7-15 (ASV)
What Christ said concerning John was not only for his praise but for the people's profit. Those who attend to the word will be called to give an account of their spiritual growth. Do we think that when the sermon is done, our responsibility is over? No, for then the greatest part of our responsibility begins. John was a self-denying man, dead to all the pomps of the world and the pleasures of sense.
It is fitting for people, in all their conduct, to be consistent with their character and their situation. John was a great and good man, yet not perfect; therefore, he fell short of glorified saints. The least in heaven knows more, loves more, and does more in praising God, and receives more from him, than the greatest in this world. But "the kingdom of heaven" here should rather be understood as the kingdom of grace, the gospel dispensation in its power and purity.
What reason we have to be thankful that our lot is cast in the days of the kingdom of heaven, under such advantages of light and love! Multitudes were powerfully affected by the ministry of John and became his disciples. And those people strove for a place in this kingdom whom one might think had no right or title to it, and so they seemed to be intruders. This shows us what fervency and zeal are required of all.
Self must be denied; the inclination, the very makeup, and the disposition of the mind must be altered. Those who are determined to have a share in the great salvation will accept it on any terms, not considering them difficult, nor will they relinquish their hold without a blessing. The things of God are of great and universal concern. God requires no more from us than the right use of the faculties he has given us.
People are ignorant because they are unwilling to learn.
"But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the marketplaces, who call unto their fellows and say, We piped unto you, and ye did not dance; we wailed, and ye did not mourn. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a demon. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold, a gluttonous man and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! And wisdom is justified by her works. Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not. Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be exalted unto heaven? thou shalt go down unto Hades: for if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in thee, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee." — Matthew 11:16-24 (ASV)
Christ reflects on the scribes and Pharisees, who had an arrogant opinion of themselves. He likens their behavior to children's play: children who, being ill-tempered without reason, quarrel with all the attempts of their companions to please them or to get them to join in the games for which they used to gather. The quibbles of worldly people are often very petty and show great malice.
They find something to criticize in everyone, no matter how excellent and holy. Christ, who was undefiled and separate from sinners, is represented here as being in league with them and polluted by them. The most unblemished innocence will not always be a defense against reproach.
Christ knew that the hearts of the Jews were more bitter and hardened against His miracles and doctrines than the hearts of the people of Tyre and Sidon would have been; therefore, their condemnation would be greater. The Lord exercises His almighty power, yet He punishes no one more than they deserve and never withholds the knowledge of the truth from those who long for it.
"At that season Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes: yea, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in thy sight. All things have been delivered unto me of my Father: and no one knoweth the Son, save the Father; neither doth any know the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal [him.] Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." — Matthew 11:25-30 (ASV)
It is fitting for children to be grateful. When we come to God as a Father, we must remember that he is Lord of heaven and earth, which obliges us to come to him with reverence as the sovereign Lord of all; yet with confidence, as one able to defend us from evil and to supply us with all good. Our blessed Lord added a remarkable declaration, that the Father had delivered into his hands all power, authority, and judgment. We are indebted to Christ for all the revelation we have of God the Father's will and love, ever since Adam sinned.
Our Saviour has invited all who labour and are heavy-laden to come to him. In some senses, all men are so. Worldly men burden themselves with fruitless cares for wealth and honours; the pleasure-seeking and the sensual labour in pursuit of pleasures; the slave of Satan and his own lusts is nothing more than a drudge on earth. Those who labour to establish their own righteousness also labour in vain. The convinced sinner is heavy-laden with guilt and terror; and the tempted and afflicted believer has labours and burdens.
Christ invites all to come to him for rest for their souls. He alone gives this invitation; men come to him, when, feeling their guilt and misery, and believing his love and power to help, they seek him in fervent prayer. Thus it is the duty and benefit of weary and heavy-laden sinners to come to Jesus Christ. This is the gospel call: Whoever will, let him come. All who come in this way will receive rest as Christ's gift and obtain peace and comfort in their hearts.
But in coming to him, they must take his yoke and submit to his authority. They must learn from him all things regarding their comfort and obedience. He accepts the willing servant, however imperfect the services. Here we may find rest for our souls, and here only. Nor do we need to fear his yoke.
His commandments are holy, just, and good. It requires self-denial and exposes us to difficulties, but this is abundantly repaid, even in this world, by inward peace and joy. It is a yoke that is lined with love. So powerful are the assistances he gives us, so suitable are the encouragements, and so strong are the consolations to be found in the way of duty, that we may truly say it is a yoke of pleasantness. The way of duty is the way of rest. The truths Christ teaches are such that we may entrust our souls to them.
Such is the Redeemer's mercy; and why should the labouring and burdened sinner seek for rest from any other source? Let us come to him daily for deliverance from wrath and guilt, from sin and Satan, from all our cares, fears, and sorrows. But forced obedience, far from being easy and light, is a heavy burden. In vain do we draw near to Jesus with our lips while the heart is far from him.
Then come to Jesus to find rest for your souls.
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