John the Baptist’s misleading response to Jesus Ministry.
We begin a section where there is misunderstanding of who Jesus is and the motives for His Ministry. After speaking of the confusing response of John the Baptist Matthew goes on to tell of unrepentant cities and outright opposition of the Pharisees. Here we find wilful misunderstanding and a rising tide of open opposition to Jesus. The question of John was,”Are you the Coming One or do we wait for another?” v.3. Truly He is the Saviour of those who are burdened and heavy laden.
Mat 11:1 When Jesus had concluded His instructions to His twelve disciples, He left in order to teach and to proclaim His Message in the neighbouring towns.
Mat 11:2 Now John had heard in prison about the Christ's doings, and he sent some of his disciples to inquire:
Mat 11:3 "Are you the Coming One, or is it a different person that we are to expect?"
Mat 11:4 "Go and report to John what you see and hear," replied Jesus;
Mat 11:5 "blind eyes receive sight, and cripples walk; lepers are cleansed, and deaf ears hear; the dead are raised to life, and the poor have the Good News proclaimed to them;
Mat 11:6 and blessed is every one who does not stumble and fall because of my claims."
Mat 11:7 When the messengers had taken their leave, Jesus proceeded to say to the multitude concerning John, "What did you go out into the Desert to gaze at? A reed waving in the wind?
Mat 11:8 But what did you go out to see? A man luxuriously dressed? Those who wear luxurious clothes are to be found in kings' palaces.
Mat 11:9 But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet.
Mat 11:10 This is he of whom it is written, "'SEE I AM SENDING MY MESSENGER BEFORE THY FACE, AND HE WILL MAKE THY ROAD READY BEFORE THEE.'
Mat 11:11 "I solemnly tell you that among all of woman born no greater has ever been raised up than John the Baptist; yet one who is of lower rank in the Kingdom of the Heavens is greater than he.
Mat 11:12 But from the time of John the Baptist till now, the Kingdom of the Heavens has been suffering violent assault, and the violent have been seizing it by force.
Mat 11:13 For all the Prophets and the Law taught until John.
Mat 11:14 And (if you are willing to receive it) he is the Elijah who was to come.
Mat 11:15 Listen, everyone who has ears!
Mat 11:16 "But to what shall I compare the present generation? It is like children sitting in the open places, who call to their playmates.
Mat 11:17 "'We have played the flute to you,' they say, 'and you have not danced: we have sung dirges, and you have not beaten your breasts.'
Mat 11:18 "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'
Mat 11:19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they exclaim, 'See this man! --given to gluttony and tippling, and a friend of tax-gatherers and notorious sinners!' And yet Wisdom is vindicated by her actions."
Mat 11:1 When Jesus had concluded His instructions to His twelve disciples, He left in order to teach and to proclaim His Message in the neighbouring towns.
Notes
When Jesus had concluded His instructions to His twelve disciples,
Remember that chapter 10 has been a description of Jesus preparing the Twelve for their first Mission. Now He continues His main ministry of Teaching and Preaching (or Proclaiming the Good News). Jesus now was Visiting the Neighbouring towns with the Message of the Kingdom of God.
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| John the Baptist in Prison |
Mat 11:2 Now John had heard in prison about the Christ's doings, and he sent some of his disciples to inquire:
Notes
John had been arrested by Herod in the “fortress of Machaerus, east of the Dead Sea” according to Josephus. Ant.18.119 according to L. Morris.
John seems to be doubting that Jesus was the Coming One or the Jewish MESSIAH.
heard in prison about the Christ's doings, His Ministry of Preaching and Healing the sick with signs and wonders had reached John even in this prison. So he sent disciples, Luke says ‘Two disciples” Lk 7: 18
Mat 11:3 "Are you the Coming One, or is it a different person that we are to expect?"
Notes
John’s Question
That is, Are you the Messiah, or the Christ? The Jews expected a Saviour. His coming had been long foretold, Gen_49:10; Isa_9:1-6; Isa_11:1-5; Isa_35:4-6; Isa_53:1-12; Dan_9:24-27. See also Joh_6:14. Compare Deu_18:18-19. In common language, therefore, he was familiarly described as “he that was to come.” Luke adds here Luk_7:21, that at the time when the messengers came to him, Jesus “cured many of their infirmities, and plagues, and of evil spirits.” An answer was therefore ready to the inquiries of John. Barnes
John had been reluctant to Baptize Jesus. Now he seems to doubt who He really is.
Perhaps his languishing in prison had warped his mind and his understanding of the purposes of God. John had not been used in a miraculous ministry but one fo calling people to repentance.
Mat 11:4 "Go and report to John what you see and hear," replied Jesus;
He told the messengers from John to go and report what you see and hear. Jesus’ teaching and healing ministry.
Mat 11:5 "blind eyes receive sight, and cripples walk; lepers are cleansed, and deaf ears hear; the dead are raised to life, and the poor have the Good News proclaimed to them;
“blind eyes receive sight,” Leon Morris adds that no miracle of opening of blind eyes had ever been recorded in the Old Testament. But is a very frequent miracle performed by Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus is the Opener of Blind Eyes. Receive their sight is a present tense verb meaning a continual operation is taking place. The Blind are being healed continually.
“Lame men walk” see Matt 21:14
Mat 21:14 And the blind and the lame came to Him in the Temple, and He cured them.
Mat 15:30 Soon great crowds came to Him, bringing with them those who were crippled in feet or hands, blind or dumb, and many besides, and they hastened to lay them at His feet. And He cured them,
Mat 15:31 so that the people were amazed to see the dumb speaking, the maimed with their hands perfect, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they gave the glory to the God of Israel.
“Lepers are cleansed” : This terrible wasting disease of the fingers toes and facial features was rarely cured. But Jesus cleansed the Lepers. See Matt 8:2
The deaf people hear and the dead are raised.
Mat 11:6 and blessed is every one who does not stumble and fall because of my claims."
Notes
Blessed: The happiness that comes from the Approval and Presence of God.L.M.p.277
That happiness is for those who are not tripped up in their understanding of who I am. It is the person who really trusts Him who is blessed. John don’t be tripped up by preconceived ideas of what the Messiah should be.
Application
Maybe you are like my neighbour who has his own twisted idea of who Jesus really is. He
refuses to research the Historical facts of the Bible or even outside the Bible
I was intrigued as I read the Life story of Josh McDowell Undaunted who was challenged by a group of young believers at Kellogg College to disprove that Jesus rose from the dead. He
researched in the Libraries of the USA then went to the British Museum and The Libraries of the UK. Eventually he had to admit that Jesus Historically rose from the dead and that He was who He claimed to be the Son of God and Lord over Creation.
Are you willing to do the research or will you remain IGNORANT and bound by your preconceived Ideas which are false.
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