ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Matthew 11

Matt. 11:1–12:50 Opposition to the Messiah Increases. There has been occasional resistance to Jesus’ ministry (e.g., 9:3–4). It now begins to increase significantly, as seen first in the honest questions of John the Baptist (11:2–19), then in the hostility of the Jewish religious leaders (12:1–45).

Matt. 11:1 When Jesus had finished signals the conclusion of Jesus’ instructions about the disciples’ mission (ch. 10) and provides a transition to the next section.

Matt. 11:2 John was put in prison by Herod Antipas (see 14:1–12).

Matt. 11:3–5 Are you the one who is to come? John is probably concerned because his current imprisonment does not match his understanding of the Coming One’s arrival. He thought the Messiah would bless those who repented and judge those who did not (see note on 3:11). Jesus’ ministry, however, is in line with prophetic promises about the time of salvation: the blind receive sight (Isa. 29:18; 35:5; see Matt. 9:27–31), the lame walk (Isa. 35:6; see Matt. 15:30–31), lepers are cured (Isa. 53:4; see Matt. 8:1–4), the deaf hear (Isa. 29:18–19; 35:5; see Mark 7:32–37), the dead are raised (Isa. 26:18–19; see Matt. 10:8; Luke 7:11–17; John 11:1–44), and the good news is preached to the poor (Isa. 61:1; see Matt. 5:3; Luke 14:13, 21). Jesus’ deeds gave sufficient proof of who he was and that the prophesied time of salvation had come (“the year of the Lord’s favor”; Isa. 61:1–3).

Matt. 11:6 blessed is the one who is not offended by me. Jesus’ words are a mild rebuke to John and his disciples.

Matt. 11:10 who will prepare your way. See note on 3:3.

Matt. 11:11 Jesus contrasts human birth (those born of women) with the new birth into the kingdom of heaven. greater than he. Those in the kingdom of heaven have the greater privilege because they have actually entered the kingdom and take part in the new covenant through the blood of Christ. (See notes on Rom. 10:14–15; Heb. 11:4.)

Matt. 11:12 suffered violence . . . the violent take it by force. This probably indicates opposition from the religious leaders and people like Herod Antipas, though it may be picturing forceful self-denial.

Matt. 11:13 all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. John the Baptist was the last of a long line of prophets who looked forward to Christ’s coming.

Matt. 11:14 he is Elijah who is to come. Malachi prophesied that “Elijah” would prepare the way for the Messiah (Mal. 3:1; 4:5; see note on Mal. 4:4–6). John’s earlier denial that he was Elijah (John 1:21) was probably an attempt to correct a popular belief that Elijah himself would reappear. Before John’s birth, he was designated as the one who would minister in the “spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17).

Matt. 11:16 this generation. The crowds and the religious leaders who have rejected John’s and Jesus’ ministries.

Matt. 11:17 We played the flute . . . and you did not dance. The people reject the gospel because John and Jesus do not meet their expectations.

Matt. 11:18–19 neither eating nor drinking. Some apparently accused John of demonic influence because of his appearance and simple lifestyle. Son of Man came eating and drinking. Jesus’ association with those in need of spiritual healing, and his refusal to fast according to Pharisaic expectations (see 9:14–17), was turned into an accusation of his being a glutton and a drunkard. However, God’s wisdom would be justified (proven correct) by the righteous fruit of John’s and Jesus’ lives.

Matt. 11:20–24 Chorazin was just northwest of Capernaum. For Bethsaida and Capernaum, see note on Luke 9:10. Sodom was the ultimate example of a “city of sin” (see Gen. 18:20). Yet, Jesus says, even Sodom would have repented if it had witnessed his miracles and the reality of the kingdom which they revealed.

Matt. 11:25–26 these things. The message and activities of the kingdom of heaven, which require faith and humility to grasp. wise and understanding. Those who are wise in the world’s eyes but who stubbornly refuse to accept the gospel. little children. Those who receive the gospel in simple faith (see 18:1–5).

Matt. 11:27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father. This reveals Jesus’ understanding of who he is. It also shows the supreme authority of God the Father within the Trinity. “All things” probably refers to everything needed to carry out Christ’s ministry of redemption. This includes salvation for those to whom he chooses to reveal the Father. no one knows the Son except the Father. Only God fully understands Jesus.

Matt. 11:28 All who labor and are heavy laden refers in the first instance to those oppressed by the religious legalism imposed on people by the scribes and Pharisees.

Matt. 11:29 yoke. The wooden frame joining two animals (usually oxen) for pulling heavy loads. It was a metaphor for one person’s relationship to another, and also a common metaphor for the law. The Pharisees’ interpretation of the law, with its extensive list of rules, had become a crushing burden (see 23:4). Jesus’ yoke of discipleship, on the other hand, brings rest through simple and wholehearted commitment to him (see 1 John 5:3).