Jesus has been training his followers for their upcoming ministry.
Matt 11:1-6
After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
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?"
Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 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. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."
Matt 11:7-15, John's role described
As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 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.
As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 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.
"Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: "`I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'
"I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. He who has ears, let him hear.
Jesus defends John, despite John's doubts and questions, for John was the very human "Elijah" who came right before the Messiah.
The quote in verse 10 is from Malachi 3:1.
Matt 11:16-19
"To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: `We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, `He has a demon.' 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 actions."
"To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: `We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, `He has a demon.' 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 actions."
John did not meet the expectations of the people; indeed, no one can. We humans vacillate between legalism and debauchery, wanting all rules and none.
Matt 11:20-24
Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. "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. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."
Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. "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. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."
The people, attracted by Jesus's miraculous works, begin to turn away when he does not meet their expectations.
The phrase "down to the depth" in verse 23 is literally "down to Hades."
Matt 11:25-30
At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.
At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.
"All things have been committed to me by my Father. 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.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
The Messiah's yoke is not legalistic, but offers a freedom that no one else can!
In the next chapter, Jesus's conflict with the religious leaders deepens, as he challenges their view of the Sabbath.
I am troubled a bit by the judgement of whole cities. I can almost understand the punishment meted out here on earth to whole cities or nations (for example, when Habakkuk talks about the Chaldeans being used by God to punish Israel), but Jesus is talking here about the day of judgment. This reminds me of the fascinating back-and-forth Abraham had with God "if there are 50 righteous men....25....10". Is Jesus really indicating here that all of Capernaum will go down to the depths because of their rejection (or lukewarm-ness) to the miracles?
ReplyDeleteYeah, this bothers me too. Is it just hyperbole, emphasizing that the "modern" first-century Jewish religious arrogance (which Jesus is often confronting) is no better than that ancient attitude of Sodom and Gomorrah? Or is Jesus really talking about entire communities being condemned?
ReplyDeleteCities do suffer for the actions of a few (see modern Damascus in Assad's reign) but I am certainly uncomfortable viewing that as a direct act of God. And I find it much easier to justify some type temporary earthly suffering than justifying an eternal condemnation based on some cultural sin.