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From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
Verse Takeaways
1
A Call for Holy Zeal
Most commentators (including Barnes, Calvin, and Spurgeon) understand this 'violence' as a positive, passionate eagerness. Since John the Baptist began preaching, the kingdom of heaven has become so desirable that people are forcefully and earnestly pressing into it. This isn't a hostile act, but a picture of holy zeal, showing the intensity with which believers should pursue God and His salvation, leaving spiritual apathy behind.
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Matthew
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11
18th Century
Presbyterian
And from the days of John, etc. That is, from the days when John began to preach. It is not known how long this was, but it was probably n…
Suffereth violence (βιαζετα). This verb occurs only here and in Lu 16:16 in the N.T. It seems to be middle in Luke and Deissmann (…
19th Century
Anglican
The kingdom of heaven suffers violence—The Greek verb may be in either the middle voice, “forces its way violently,” or the passive voice,…
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Baptist
John had aroused an unusual earnestness which had not died out. Men were eager for the glories of “the kingdom of heaven.” Though they misinterpret…
This enigmatic saying has called forth a host of interpretations. The following interpretation does justice both to the context and to the language…
16th Century
Protestant
Since the days of John, I have no doubt that Christ speaks honorably of the majesty of the Gospel because many sought it with warm affecti…
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17th Century
Reformed Baptist
And from the days of John the Baptist until now From the time that he began to preach, to the then present time,
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 ac…
13th Century
Catholic
After saying these things, the Lord passed from there to teach and preach, and this was for three reasons.