Matthew 11:12 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 11:7-19

John and Jesus: children in the market-place. After dismissing the messengers of John, there appeared to our Lord urgent need of indicating with precision the merits and defects of the Baptist's work, so that the people might understand hew it was the Baptist was disappointed in the Messiah he had so enthusiastically heralded, and what were the relations mutually held by the Baptist, the Messiah, and the people. In doing so our Lord touches on— I. THE GREATNESS OF JOHN AND HIS... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 11:12

It is curious that in St. Luke's account of this speech of our Lord's he should omit our verses 12-14 (on verse 15, see note there), thus leaving out all Christ's plainer and more direct teaching about the relation of John to himself. St. Luke places ( Luke 16:16 ) our verses 12 and 13 in what appears to be merely a cento of sayings. Possibly the original occasion has been recorded by neither evangelist, but in Matthew the passage certainly brings out the thought upon which our Lord was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 11:12

Violent entrance into the kingdom. "The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." It is difficult to accept restfully any of the explanations offered of this very bold figure. We cannot think who had been showing such "violence" in pushing into Christ's new kingdom. Evidently our Lord is dealing with John's mistake. He was filled with doubts because Christ's ways were so gentle. If Jesus meant to establish the Messianic kingdom, John felt that he would have... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 11:12

And from the days of John ... - That is, from the days when John began to preach. It is not known how long this was, but it was not probably more than a year. Our Saviour here simply states a fact. He says there was a great rush or a crowd pressing to hear John. Multitudes went out to hear him, as if they were about to take the kingdom of heaven by force. See Matthew 3:5. So, he says, it has continued. Since “the kingdom of heaven,” or “the gospel,” has been preached, there has been a “rush” to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 11:12

Matthew 11:12. And from the days of John the Baptist That is, from the time he had borne his public testimony to the approach of the Messiah, or from the time when he had fulfilled his ministry, the kingdom of heaven The dispensation which admits all persons equally, upon their repentance and faith, suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force The spirits of men are so excited and animated by a desire after this kingdom, that it is, as it were, attacked like a besieged city, men... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 11:1-19

49. Messengers from John the Baptist (Matthew 11:1-19; Luke 7:18-35)Shut up in prison, John the Baptist received only irregular and possibly inaccurate reports of Jesus’ ministry. These reports must have caused him to wonder whether Jesus really was the Messiah he foretold. Jesus sent back the message that he was carrying out a ministry of relief to the oppressed, which was the sort of ministry foretold of the Messiah in the Old Testament (Matthew 11:1-5; cf. Isaiah 35:5-6; Isaiah 61:1). Many... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 11:12

And = But. suffereth violence = forceth itself upon men's attention. Greek. biazomai. Occurs only here and Luke 16:16 . Supposed to be only passive (as rendered here), but this agrees neither with the facts nor with the context. Deissmann ( Bib. Stud., p. 258) tells of the discovery of an inscription of Xanthus the Lycian, found near Sunium (E. Attica), containing the regulations as to approaching the healing divinity of the sanctuary of Men Tyrannos: "If any one forces himself in, his... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 11:12

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and men of violence take it by force.Admitted to be one of the difficult passages of the New Testament, this verse in all probability was accurately understood and expounded by McGarvey who wrote:Jesus here pictures the kingdom of heaven as a besieged city. The city is shut up, but the enemies which surround it storm its walls and try to force an entrance ... The gates of Christ's kingdom were not opened... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 11:12-13

Matthew 11:12-13. The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence— Is violently invaded. Dr. Heylin reads it, The kingdom of heaven is entered by force, and they who strive with all their might take it, as by violence. The kingdom of heaven was indeed the inheritance both of Jews and Gentiles; but the Jews esteemed all those who knew not the law accursed. However, they neglected to accept the gracious terms of the Gospel, while the publicans and sinners, complying with these terms, entered into that... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 11:2-19

1. Questions from the King’s forerunner 11:2-19This sections illustrates how deeply seated Israel’s disenchantment with Jesus was. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 11:7-19

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 11:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 11:12

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 11:12

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 11:12

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 11:1-19

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 11:12

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 11:12

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 11:12-13

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 11:2-19

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