Matthew 11: Study

For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each passage has a four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Matthew 11:1-6

A. Find Out:

1. Where did Jesus next go? v.1

After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.

2. Who sent who to ask what? v.2,3

When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”

3. What was Jesus general response? v.4

Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:

4. What six things did he specifically mention? v.5

The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

5. What did he conclude by saying? v.6

Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”

B. Think:

1. Why do you think John sent his followers to Jesus?
2. What did Jesus use to verify who he was?
3. How was his closing comment supposed to encourage John?

C. Comment:

John’s disciples come with a question for Jesus. Why had John sent them? Perhaps to get them to start going to follow Jesus rather than him? Perhaps, but Jesus sends them back to John with words that indicate encouragement, so it is more likely that John in prison is feeling low and needs confirmation of his ministry.

First of all Jesus tells them to simply report all that is happening. These things clearly indicate that God is with him and that he is the one John had been preaching about. At the end of it Jesus makes a comment that can only apply to John in his discouraged state in prison, perhaps knowing that death awaits him. What Jesus says is, may you not be disappointed by me so that you doubt and fall away in your distressing circumstances. It is as if he is saying, here you are, I’m giving you sufficient things to help you believe, be encouraged and be restored from your doubting position.

If our understanding of John’s position is correct, it should in no way make us think any the less of him. Jesus is about to go on and praise him, and if John is feeling low, he has every human cause to feel so. It is very human and natural to feel low when your ministry has been cut short and your life restricted. Perhaps it was God’s will for his ministry to end, but Jesus simply goes on to praise him for it.

D. Application:

1. Trying circumstances ARE trying and difficult.
2. Jesus seeks to encourage us in them. We’re still in his purposes.

Passage: Matthew 11:7-10

A. Find Out:

1. Who did Jesus then turn to speak to? v.7a

As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John

2. What question did he ask them? v.7b

“What did you go out into the desert to see?

3. What supposed answer did he put forward? v.7c

A reed swayed by the wind?

4. What second supposed answer did he put forward? v.8

If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces

5. What third answer did he put forward? v.9

Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

6. How did he finally identify John? v.10

This is the one about whom it is written: ” `I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’

B. Think:

1. What was Jesus making the crowd do here?
2. Why do you think Jesus offered the suggestion of the reed?
3. Why do you think he used the picture of a wealthy man?

C. Comment:

The crowd had no doubt over-heard the talk with John’s disciples and so Jesus takes the opportunity to challenge them on what they thought. He does it by asking three times what it was they went out in the desert to see, and puts up supposed answers.

His first answer is of a reed bending in the wind. Reeds were very common on the Jordan banks so, says Jesus, was John just something very ordinary. No, you were attracted to him in large numbers. A swaying reed was also used as a picture of an unsure person who easily changed their mind. Was this like John? No, everything about him was more like a sturdy oak!

His second suggestion was of a finely clad rich person. He does this for stark comparison that points out even more strongly just what John was like. No John appeared poor and only wore the most basic of clothing. And they went to see this sort of person???

Finally, he suggests a prophet. More than just a prophet, says Jesus. This man had the most important prophetic job in history: to clear the way for the Coming One.

Do we think about who or what we have seen that God has sent. Do we realize their significance in God’s economy?

D. Application:

1. Prophetic rawness is attractive. People come to hear God speak.
2. Our message is still to prepare the way for Jesus to come.

Passage: Matthew 11:11-15

A. Find Out:

1. How did Jesus exalt John the Baptist? v.11a

I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist

2. Yet what did he say about a citizen of the kingdom? v.11b

yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

3. What had been happening in respect of the kingdom? v.12

From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.

4. What had gone on up until John? v.13

For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.

5. Who does Jesus say John was? v.14

And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come

B. Think:

1. Why do you think John was greater than any before him?
2. Why do you think we are greater than John?
3. Read Mal 4:5,6

C. Comment:

As Jesus continues to speak about John the Baptist, he seeks to give us a clear perspective on John. There had been no one like John before: he had been filled with the Spirit from the womb (Lk 1:15 ,41) and had a task from God of preparing the way for the Son of God himself. He was indeed great! But now look, says Jesus, any one of you who submit to God’s rule here today through me, are greater than John. John hadn’t experienced the power of God moving as it was now; John hadn’t known the depth of relationship with God that was now about to come as a result of the Cross. Yes indeed, our position is so much greater than even John’s was!

Yes, says Jesus, my kingdom has been coming ever since the start of my ministry which follows John’s. It’s been advancing forcibly, pushing back the powers of darkness and releasing the captives. It has been taken hold of by forcible men, those who realise their state and eagerly reach forward to take hold of the wonders of the kingdom. As one commentator has said, “the kingdom is not for waverers, weaklings or compromisers”. No it is for those who grab hold of it out of desperation, sure of their need, sure of the wonder of what is being offered. Yes, says Jesus, if you have the faith to receive it, John is the “Elijah” who God said would come to prepare the way. He’s come!

D. Application:

1. The privilege of our position outshines all who came before.
2. The kingdom is for the determined. Are you?

Passage: Matthew 11:16-19

A. Find Out:

1. To what did Jesus compare the present generation? v.16

To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:

2. What did he say they were saying? v.17

`We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

3. What had John not been doing? v.18a

For John came neither eating nor drinking

4. What did they say of him? v.18b

and they say, `He has a demon.’

5. What had Jesus been doing? v.19a

The Son of Man came eating and drinking

6. What did they say of him? v.19b

and they say, `Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”

B. Think:

1. What was Jesus’ main point about the people in summary?
2. How did he illustrate the truth of this?
3. How do we sometimes do the same thing?

C. Comment:

Jesus concludes his comments about John the Baptist by highlighting the response of some to him. “This generation” probably refers to the religious Jews, including the Scribes and Pharisees and religious leaders. Jesus’ comments about them basically says they are never happy with anything or anyone who does not fit their ideas exactly. May we not be that rigid in our thinking!

He says they are like children who complain that others didn’t play in the way they wanted them to. John came, says Jesus, and was austere and the religious people objected to him. I came in a way that was completely the opposite and they objected to me as well. They are never satisfied.

 The truth we need to face here, that Jesus is high lighting, is that the hearts of some people are never satisfied, they are always critical. It won’t matter what you do to try to please them, they will still criticize. Now people like this don’t need appeasing, they need confronting like Jesus is doing here. However, Jesus finally declares that the actions (ministries) of both himself and John will be proved right; they will be vindicated and seen as wisdom by the eventual fruits of their respective ministries, and the others will be shown to be false.

D. Application:

1. Is criticism our natural response to something new?
2. A wrong heart and lack of understanding will produce criticism.

Passage: Matthew 11:20-24

A. Find Out:

1. Who did Jesus denounce and why? v.20

Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.

2. Who did he compare with whom? v.21

“Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

3. So what was his conclusion to that? v.22

But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.

4. Who next did he rebuke? v.23a

And you, Capernaum , will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths

5. Who did he compare them with? v.23b

If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom , it would have remained to this day.

6. So what was his conclusion to that? v.24

But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”

B. Think:

1. How does Jesus exhibit divine knowledge here?
2. Why do you think Jesus the cities he does for comparison?
3. What is the main lesson from these verses?

C. Comment:

Having moved on from talking about John the Baptist to talking generally about the way people had received or not received him, Jesus now specifically speaks against those towns where he had performed such amazing miracles and yet there had not been a great turning to God in faith by them.

Korazin and Bethsaida were probably close to Capernaum and had been the scene of some of the dramatic healings by Jesus. He compares them to Gentile, ungodly towns but says those towns would have repented if they had seen what these towns had seen.

     For Israel this was a time of special grace when the very Son of God was in their midst performing the most amazing miracles to help them believe. Yet mostly they refused to believe. Jesus’ words are completely condemning of the Jews, declaring them unbelievers without excuse. We may wish, out of generosity, to excuse them, but Jesus strongly denounces them for their hardness of heart and says the Gentiles would not have responded in the same way. This is not to excuse Gentile sinners but is simply to highlight the particular sin of the Jews.

D. Application:

1. Those of us who have had greater revelation, also have greater responsibility in respect of our response.
2. Judgement will come upon unbelief, whatever the excuse.

Passage: Matthew 11:25-27

A. Find Out:

1. What did Jesus then do? v.25a

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,

2. From whom had God hidden what? v.25b

you have hidden these things from the wise and learned

3. Yet to whom had He revealed them? v.25c

and revealed them to little children.

4. What had the Father done in respect of Jesus? v.27a

All things have been committed to me by my Father.

5. Who only know the Father? v.27b

No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

B. Think:

1. What was the significance of the way Jesus described God here?
2. Why do you think the Father chose to reveal truth to “children”?
3. Why did he not reveal it to “the wise and learned”?

C. Comment:

Jesus has just finished speaking about how both he and John the Baptist had been received, having just rebuked the local towns for their poor response to him. Now he turns to his Father in prayer and thanks Him for the way he had revealed the wonder of what was happening. It was those with child-like response, child-like faith, who openly received Jesus, while those who purported to be wise and learned struggled to cope with who Jesus was. Those of great intellect often tend to be self centred and can easily be proud and like to have everything neatly worked out in their own minds. Yet when Jesus comes, he is disturbing and unpredictable, and they have a problem with him. Yes, it was Father’s will to receive the simple in faith!

Yes, says Jesus as he continues, revelation of the Father only comes to those the Son reveals it to. Only the Son knows the Father and only those who truly know the Son will know the Father.

This little passage is all about revelation. We would like everyone to know the truth about Jesus, yet Jesus shows us that there are certain criteria that must be fulfilled. First there must be child-like faith to receive Jesus on our side, and second there must be the willingness of Jesus to reveal the Father on his side. That he will not do to the unbelieving and unrepentant. Those are the conditions!

D. Application:

1. Child-like faith is essential. Do we have it?
2. Only through Jesus comes revelation of the Father.

Passage: Matthew 11:28-30

A. Find Out:

1. Who did Jesus say should come to him? v.28a

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,

2. What did he promise he would give them? v.28b

I will give you rest.

3. What 2 things did he say they should do? v.29a

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me

4. Why? v.29b

for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

5. What further did he say about it? v.30

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

B. Think:

1. To whom is Jesus speaking?
2. How does that apply to us?
3. What is his remedy?

C. Comment:

Having rebuked unbelief and having said that it is the child-like in faith who will receive from him, Jesus simply opens his arms to all who are tired, jaded and worn down by the affairs of life. Come to me, he says, and I will give you rest.

So how do we receive that rest? By becoming like him! When he says “Take my yoke on you”, he is using the picture of a yoke that held two oxen together when they were ploughing. To take on his yoke means to be joined to him, to go at his pace, to act like him, to become like him, to learn to be like him.

So what was he like? Gentle and humble. In today’s world those words seem out of place; perhaps that is why we need them so much. They indicate a life that is not pushy, a life that does not look to itself all the time. Gentle? Meek is another word used by some versions. It means not stressed in seeking our own will, being a peaceful peacemaker, being a restful sort of person. No wonder we will find rest if we become like Jesus! Humble? Not striving for self-glory, not getting upset because my will is thwarted, simply resting in His will. Yes, when you take on Jesus’ yoke you suddenly find that it is not heavy, it is not difficult; to the contrary, it is easy and light and releases you from the burdens of modern-day life.

D. Application:

1. Life today IS stressful.
2. Becoming like Jesus is the answer.