Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Matthew 11

Mat 11:2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

John had heard in the prison

Mat 4:12; 14:3.

Mat 11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

blind

Mat 9:27.

receive their sight

Isa 53:4.

gospel

Gospel. Mat 24:14. (Gen 12:1-3; Rev 14:6.)

Mat 11:6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

blessed

In prison, the King rejected, John's faith wavers; the Lord exhorts and encourages His servant. Cf. Jhn 15:20; Isa 42:3.

be offended

find cause of offence.

Mat 11:7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

What went ye out into the wilderness to see?

Luk 7:24-30.

Mat 11:10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

I send my messenger

Isa 40:3; Mal 3:1.

Mat 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

he that is least

Eph 3:4-10; Heb 11:40; 1Pe 1:10-12.

kingdom of heaven

Scofield Matthew 3:2, note.

is greater

Positionally greater, not morally. John the Baptist was as great morally, as any man "born of woman," but as to the kingdom he but announced it at hand. The kingdom did not then come, but was rejected, and John was martyred, and the King presently crucified. The least in the kingdom when it is set up in glory (see "Kingdom (N.T.)," Luk 1:31-33; 1Co 15:24) will be in the fullness of power and glory. It is not heaven which is in question, but Messiah's kingdom. (See Scofield Matthew 3:2, note; Matthew 6:33, note.)

Mat 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

violence

It has been much disputed whether the "violence" here is external, as against the kingdom in the persons of John the Baptist and Jesus; or that, considering the opposition of the scribes and Pharisees, only the violently resolute would press into it. Both things are true. The King and His herald suffered violence, and this is the primary and greater meaning, but also, some were resolutely becoming disciples. (Cf. Luk 16:16.)

the violent take it by force

Luk 5:19, 20; 16:16.

Mat 11:13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

prophesied

Inspiration. Mat 12:3-5, 40. (Exo 4:15; Rev 22:19.)

Mat 11:14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.

this is Elias

Scofield Matthew 17:10, note. Mat 17:12; Mal 4:5.

Mat 11:18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.

devil

demon. See Scofield Matthew 7:22, note.

Mat 11:19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

Son of man

See Scofield Matthew 8:20, note.

eating and drinking

Luk 5:29-32; 7:36; Jhn 2:1-11.

sinners

Sin. Scofield Romans 3:23, note.

Mat 11:20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:

to upbraid the cities

The kingdom of heaven announced as "at hand" by John the Baptist, by the King Himself, and by the twelve, and attested by mighty works, has been morally rejected. The places chosen for the testing of the nation, Chorazin, Bethsaida, etc. having rejected both John and Jesus, the rejected King now speaks of judgment. The final official rejection is later (Mat 27:31-37).

repented

Repentance. Mat 11:20, 21; Mat 12:41. (Mat 3:2; Act 17:30.)

Mat 11:22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.

day of judgment

Day of Judgment. Mat 12:35, 41, 42. (Mat 10:15; Rev 20:11).

Mat 11:23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

hell

Scofield Luke 16:23, note.

Mat 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

Bible prayers (N.T.). Mat 15:22. (Mat 6:9; Rev 22:20.)

from the wise and prudent…unto babes

Psa 8:2; 1Co 1:19-21, 27-31.

Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Come unto me

The new message of Jesus. The rejected King now turns from the rejecting nation and offers, not the kingdom, but rest and service to such in the nation as are conscious of the need. It is a pivotal point in the ministry of Jesus.

Kingdom (N.T.). Scofield Matthew 12:3, note. (Luk 1:31-33; 1Co 15:28).

Jhn 1:38-39; 6:35, 37.

Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

I am meek and lowly

Phl 2:5-8; 1Co 3:18; 1Jo 3:2.