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
The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 11:14
In Matthew only. And if ye will receive it . Our Lord gives the information plainly, but doubts if it will be of any use to them. Will ( θέλετε ). For the reception of a truth depends upon the attitude of the will In this case to acknowledge John as Elijah would mean to accept the present consequences of that reformation which Elijah was to bring about ( Malachi 4:6 ). But "the human will has a natural disinclination to cultivate and sharpen the conscience in combination with the... read more