Matthew 11:1-24
I think this text is extraordinarily interesting, timely, and encouraging for us. Especially in a time when we meet enormous resistance against the gospel, when the message is pushed away and the truth is not received. Christ’s aim is to encourage us precisely in such circumstances and to move us to stand firm in our faith under exactly these conditions.
UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT OF THE CONTEXT
First, notice where this chapter stands in the Gospel of Matthew. This chapter comes right after the chapter in which Jesus gives His instructions to His twelve disciples (v.1).
1 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. (Matthew 11:1)
Matthew’s Gospel is grouped around five blocks of teaching by Jesus Christ, and after each of them we have an account of Christ’s deeds that correspond to His teaching. The first of these blocks is the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1–7:29). This first block of teaching ends by underlining the authority of Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:28-29).
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. (Matthew 7:28-29)
Notice, the people were impressed by the authority of Jesus Christ in His manner of teaching. And immediately after this, in chapters 8 and 9, we see the authority of Jesus displayed in His deeds — His authority over sickness (Matthew 8:1-17), over the forces of nature (Matthew 8:23-27), over demons (Matthew 8:28-34), over death (Matthew 9:23-26), over blindness (Matthew 9:27-31), and at the very center of all of this His authority to forgive sins (Matthew 9:1-8). What follows the main teaching confirms what had been spoken. The authority of the deeds follows the authority of the words.
After the section recounting Christ’s authority displayed in His deeds comes to an end (chapters 8 and 9), in chapter 10 the next block of teaching begins — Christ’s instructions to His disciples. In these instructions He entrusts His authority to them, empowers them to drive out demons and to heal sicknesses in His name, and sends them out to preach the good news. He gathers them, gives them authority, and tells them: “Go! Preach! Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons… Freely you have received; freely give!” (Matthew 10:1-13).
1 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. 2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. 5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. 9 Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. (Matthew 10:1-13)
EXPECT OPPOSITION! (Matthew 10:14-25)
Together with these instructions for preaching and ministry, however, Jesus told them something more, namely: “Do not think that everything will go smoothly and without trouble. Expect opposition! Expect rejection! Expect persecution!” (Matthew 10:14-22).
14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. 16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (Matthew 10:14-20)
You see, in these verses Jesus warns His apostles — and through them us as well — of a great resistance: of rejection, of betrayals, of persecution, of hatred without cause, and even of death.
We see all of this worked out in practice in our chapter 11, where Christ says (Matthew 11:12):
12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. (Matthew 11:12)
The first part of this sentence, in other translations, carries the sense that God’s kingdom meets resistance: “The kingdom of heaven suffers violence.” This means that God’s kingdom meets enormous resistance.
Even in the ministry of Jesus Christ this resistance was a fact. Jesus Christ came — but did they receive Him? The Pharisees rejected Him. While He was still a baby, Herod wanted to kill Him (Matthew 2:12-18). And here we read about John the Baptist — how unjustly he was thrown into prison. All of this shows us how God’s kingdom meets resistance. And the Lord warns us of the troubles we should expect because we identify with Him (Matthew 10:21-22):
21 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Matthew 10:21-22)
So we must not be discouraged and cast down because people hate us, because they do not like us on account of the fact that we are believers. Jesus said: “If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!” Jesus Himself was called Beelzebul, because supposedly He “drove out demons by the prince of demons.” Jesus warned us that on account of His name we will be called even more than “Beelzebul” — that certainly includes “devils,” “cults,” and all sorts of other insults (Matthew 10:25).
24 The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! (Matthew 10:24-25)
DO NOT BE AFRAID! (Matthew 10:26-36)
But together with this, Jesus told them — them, and us as well — something more: “Do not be afraid!” (Matthew 10:26-31).
26 So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:26-28)
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 32 Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. (Matthew 10:29-33)
Jesus warned us that we will face rejection and persecution not only in society, but even within the family. He says in verses 34-36:
34 Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— 36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ (Matthew 10:34-36)
And we see that very soon these words of Christ are confirmed by history. Often those who came to faith were cut off from their families. They had no work, and life was very, very hard for them.
This is why, with these words, Christ prepares His disciples for the difficulties and the resistance that await them.
The Apostle Paul does the same thing. On the way back from his first missionary journey he strengthened the souls of the disciples, telling them that “we must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:21-22).
21 They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. (Acts 14:21-22)
So, on the one hand, God’s kingdom meets resistance as it comes. The good news meets trouble as it spreads; it meets opposition and rejection. On the other hand, if someone wants to enter God’s kingdom, he too must make an effort, he must “press in.” Entering God’s kingdom is not at all easy. It takes discipline, it takes persistence, it takes resolve, faith, and endurance — both on the part of those who are already in it, its heralds and its servants, and on the part of those who receive it and want to enter it.
The text of Matthew 11:2-24 could be divided into two parts. The first part can be called “Did I hear rightly?” and the second part can be called “Did I see rightly?”
DID I HEAR RIGHTLY? (Matthew 11:2-19)
2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” 7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 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. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 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.’ 11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 Whoever has ears, let them hear. (Matthew 11:2-15)
In the first part Jesus speaks about John the Baptist. Picture John. We are not talking about some small and unknown man. We are talking about John the Baptist, the one of whom Jesus said that “among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John” (Matthew 11:11).
11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. (Matthew 11:11)
John the Baptist was very close to God. He was a prophet. He was filled with the Spirit even from his conception, for it was said of him that “he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born” (Luke 1:15). He was a Nazirite; he fasted and clothed himself in rough garments — “John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey” (Matthew 3:4). John the Baptist had separated himself from the world. He lived in the wilderness. No strong drink passed his lips. He was utterly set apart for God. And picture this man… He baptized Jesus Christ. What an honor that is — to baptize the Son of God. John said: I am not worthy to untie the straps of His sandals; I need to be baptized by You, and not You by me (see Luke 3:16). And when John saw Christ, he recognized Him and pointed Him out to his disciples, saying: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). John said: “He is the Messiah!” And when his disciples went after Jesus, he did not grow angry and did not say, “Why is He taking my disciples from me?” But he said: “He must become greater; I must become less!” (John 3:30). And: I rejoice over Him, as the friend of the bridegroom rejoices at the bridegroom’s voice (see John 3:29). When they asked him, “Who are you?” he answered: “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’” (John 1:23)
And now picture this man — who was so great, so spiritual, who was so close to God — at one moment, when he was in prison, sending his disciples to ask Jesus: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” He began to doubt. And why did he doubt? Because he was in prison. He had expected that when the King came, He would set right the injustices of this world… and yet it turned out that he himself was suffering unjustly.
So it is in our own lives. And this ought to encourage us. For a moment may come when difficulties and trials flood into our lives. A time may arrive when we cannot explain why things are happening this way, given that we believe in God. If doubts came to John, they will come to us as well. Questions will come, uncertainty will come, over whether the good news we have heard is true. And this is written for us — so that we would not doubt, because the Christian life is hard. Even where there is no persecution, Satan manages by other means to draw us away from God. Look, John asked: “Did I hear rightly from God? He told me that the One on whom I saw the Holy Spirit descend in the form of a dove is the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit (see John 1:33). But are You the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” And what did Jesus tell him? (Matthew 11:4-5)
4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. (Matthew 11:4-5)
These were the marks of God’s kingdom. For in Isaiah 35:5-6 it is said what will happen when the Messiah comes.
5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. 6 Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. (Isaiah 35:5-6)
And Jesus told John’s disciples: “Look, this is happening: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. And blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” And it says that they went away.
And I want to ask you: Have you heard the voice of the Holy Spirit? Has God spoken to you? And if He has, then why do you doubt that what you have heard is true? Do not give in to the difficulties! Do not lose heart because of the resistance! Do not despair! On the contrary, take courage! God’s kingdom is among us. Even if it cannot be seen, it is here!
THERE IS NO PLEASING THEM! (Matthew 11:16-19)
If we try to please people, we will certainly fail. Because they will always be dissatisfied. They were dissatisfied not only with John the Baptist; they were dissatisfied with the very Son of God.
16 To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 17 ‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds. (Matthew 11:16-19)
So then, if the Son of Man could not please people, who are we that we should succeed? This is why we must strive to please not people, but God (Galatians 1:10). And we must not despair over the fact that people are always dissatisfied with us.
10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10)
DID I SEE RIGHTLY? (Matthew 11:20-24)
After this He began to rebuke the towns in which most of His great deeds had been done, because they did not repent.
20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For 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. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” (Matthew 11:20-24)
We must not give up our ministry because people do not receive our good news. If they receive it — glory to God! But if they reject us, we still must not despair over it. For Jesus Christ Himself was rejected. And here we are not talking about some preacher or village pastor like me. Some will say: “Well, you do not perform signs and wonders.” Very well, I do not — but did Jesus? He did. He is the Son of God. Can anyone preach better than Jesus? No one can preach better than He. He preached perfectly. He is the most perfect Preacher. He is the most perfect Evangelist. He is the most perfect Herald of the good news. The most perfect Healer. The most perfect worker of miracles. But did the towns He served — Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum — repent? No. So if even under Jesus and His ministry the people did not repent, what shall we say? Should we despair? Should we give up? Should we stop? No! Because we have a duty to preach the good news. As the prophet said: You must warn them! If they reject you, that is on their own account. People will always be dissatisfied with us. Why, they were not even satisfied with Jesus Christ. Of Him they said He was a drunkard and a sinner. But still, wisdom is proved right by her deeds. Despite the opposition and rejection, Jesus went on preaching God’s word and doing miracles. So with these words Jesus also encouraged us, that we should not be surprised when people do not receive us, when they do not like us, when they do not accept the words of the good news. We are obliged to tell them. This is why Jesus said to them that whoever does not receive you does not receive Me (Matthew 10:14-15; John 13:20).
20 Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me. (John 13:20)
People will be judged for not having believed the good news. But if we have preached it to them, we are free from responsibility. Have they heard it? They have. From there on, everything depends on their decision and on God’s working in their hearts.
So then, we must expect difficulties, we must expect resistance and opposition. We must expect that we cannot please people. We must expect both inward doubts (“Did I hear the voice of God rightly?”) and outward ones (“Did I see the miracles of God rightly?”). For thoughts may come to you of this kind: “Well, that was not really a miracle.” Like those in Capernaum and Bethsaida, who saw the miracles but perhaps said to themselves: “Well, it just happened on its own.” Have you seen even one miracle in your life? If God has worked miracles in our lives, we ought to be certain that Jesus is the Son of God. And that everything that has been preached to us is true. Even when the questions come, the doubts, the attacks, the depression… we must not give up the faith, but we must remain firm. Because this is part of discipleship.