matthew-11:4-15-nlt

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 11:11

Verily I say unto you ,.... What Christ had before said, he proved from a testimony of Scripture; what he was about to say depending on his word, he asseverates in the most solemn manner: among them that are born of women, there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist . The phrase, "them that are born of women", is a "periphrasis", of men born into the world by ordinary generation; see Job 14:1 and the sense is, that of all the prophets that have been in the world, since the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 11:12

And from the days of John the Baptist until now ,.... From the time that he began to preach, to the then present time, the kingdom of heaven , the Gospel, and the ministry of it, first by John, then by Christ and his apostles, suffereth violence ; or "comes with force", and power upon the souls of men: it was attended with the demonstration of the Spirit, and of power; as appeared by its being the means of quickening persons that were dead in trespasses and sins; enlightening the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 11:13

For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. These words are to be considered in connection with Matthew 11:11 and are a further proof of John's being greater than any of the prophets; because all the inspired writers and prophets, who were before him, prophesied of the Messiah as to come; and either spoke of him in obscure terms, or represented him under dark shadows and figures: whereas John spake of him as already come, and in plain terms, and directed to his very person; and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 11:14

And if ye will receive it ,.... The words carry in them some suspicion of unbelief and hardness of heart, as though they would not receive it: however, whether they would or not, it was a certain truth, that this same person, "John the Baptist", is Elias, which was for to come ; who was appointed by God to come, and was prophesied of Malachi 4:5 that he should come; and even according to the doctrine of the Scribes and Rabbins, he was expected to come before the Messiah; only they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 11:15

He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. A way of speaking used by Christ, when anything serious, and of great importance, was delivered; and which required attention, and was not easily understood: and such were the several things he had mentioned in this context; as that John was more than a prophet, more excellent than all the prophets; that the law and prophets were now at an end, and that John was Elias; which things, if rightly understood, would serve greatly to settle their judgment,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 11:4

Go and show John the things - ye do hear and see - Christ would have men to judge only of him and of others by their works. This is the only safe way of judging. A man is not to be credited because he professes to know such and such things; but because he demonstrates by his conduct that his pretensions are not vain. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 11:5

The blind receive their sight, etc. - Αναβλεπωσι , look upwards, contemplating the heavens which their Lord hath made. The lame walk - Περιπατωσι , they walk about; to give the fullest proof to the multitude that their cure was real. These miracles were not only the most convincing proofs of the supreme power of Christ, but were also emblematic of that work of salvation which he effects in the souls of men. Sinners are blind; their understanding is so darkened by sin that they see... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 11:6

Blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in me - Or, Happy is he who will not be stumbled at me; for the word σκανδαλιζεσθαι , in its root, signifies to hit against or stumble over a thing, which one may meet with in the way. The Jews, as was before remarked, expected a temporal deliverer. Many might he tempted to reject Christ, because of his mean appearance, etc., and so lose the benefit of salvation through him. To instruct and caution such, our blessed Lord spoke these words. By... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 11:7

What went ye out into the wilderness to see? - The purport of our Lord's design, in this and the following verses, is to convince the scribes and Pharisees of the inconsistency of their conduct in acknowledging John Baptist for a divinely authorized teacher, and not believing in the very Christ which he pointed out to them. He also shows, from the excellencies of John's character, that their confidence in him was not misplaced, and that this was a farther argument why they should have... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 11:8

A man clothed in soft raiment? - A second excellency in John was, his sober and mortified life. A preacher of the Gospel should have nothing about him which savours of effeminacy and worldly pomp: he is awfully mistaken who thinks to prevail on the world to hear him and receive the truth, by conforming himself to its fashions and manners. Excepting the mere color of his clothes, we can scarcely now distinguish a preacher of the Gospel, whether in the establishment of the country, or out of... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 11:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 11:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 11:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 11:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 11:15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 11:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 11:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 11:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 11:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 11:8

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