Matthew 11

John the Baptist being in prison, sends two Disciples to Christ, 1 To whom Christ proves by his doctrine and works, that he is the promised Messiah, 4. Gives a glorious testimony to the people concerning Johns person and office, 7. Upbraids the Jews under a certain similitude for thheir impenitency, 16 and therefore threatenes the Cities of Chorazin, and Bethsaida, and Capernaum, which very heavy judgments, 20. Opposeth thereunto the good pleasure of his Father, in instructing the little ones, 25 Invites all wearied sinners unto him, and promiseth them refreshment, 28.

1. And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of giving commands [Nameky, which are related in the former Chapter] to his twelve Disciples, in their Cities.[namely, of Galilee, whence his Disciples were. see Acts 2:7.]

2. And John having heard in the prison [see of the cause and the end of this imprisonment of John the Baptist, Matth. 14. and Mark 6.] the works of Christ [that is, wonderful signs or miracles] sent two his Disciples.

3. And said unto him [That is, caused it to be said unto him] Art thou be that should come [that is, the Messiah promised by the Prophets. This John causeth to be asked, not that he doubted thereof himself; for he had long time before testified it openly, John 1 verse 29.but from the answer of Christ to take occassion afterwards more largely to instruct his Disciples hereof, who as yet somewhat doubted thereof] or do we look for another?

4. And Jesus answered and said unto them, Go your ways and tell John again that which ye doe heare and see.

5. The blind are made to see, and the cripple walk, the leper are clensed, and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up, and the poor [namely, as wel in states as in Spirit, Matth 5.3. like as it is also taken, Isaiah 61:1. to which Christ here alludes] is the Gospel preached.

6. And blessed is he that shall not be offended at me, [That is to say, that taketh no scandal by my means, condition, or doctrine, not to believe in me. See Mark 6 verse 3. John 6:41. 52,66]

7. Now as these went (their way) Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? A reed that is moved to and fro by the wind? [That is to say, an unsteddy Teacher , which is driven with all manner of winds of doctrine, Ephesians 4:14.]

8. But what ye out to see? A man clothed with soft raiment? [That is, costly and curious] Behold, they that wear soft (clothing) are in the Kings Houses.

9. But what went ye unto see? A Prophet? yea, i say unto you, and much more then a prophet?

10. For this is he of whom it is written: Behold i send mine Angel before thy face, [That is, Ambassadour or Messenger] which shall prepare thy way before thee. [In the Prophhet Malachi, chapter 3.1. it is before me, because Christ himself there speakes: and here Christ brings in the Father, speaking to his son; forasmuch as John was sent aswel by the Father as by the Son, Luke 3:2. John 1:6.]

11. Verily i say unto you, Amongst those that are born of women, there is none risen [Gr. raised up] greater [or, one greater] then John the Baptist: But he that is least in the Kingdome of Heavens, [Gr. the lesser; namely, amongst the Teacher of the Gospel: forasmuch as they do shew Christ yet more clearly, as having now perfectly accomplished whatsoevr was required to our slavation, and publish this not only to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles] is greater than he.

12. And from the days of John the Baptist until now, there is violence offered to the Kingdome of the Heavens, [That is, it is received of great multitudes, and with great zeal] and the violence [that is, those that with great earnistness and zeal seek afterf salvation, like those tha will draw any thing to them by force, Phil 3. verse 8.12.] take it by force.

13. For all the Prophesied until John. [That is, foretold and prefigured the coming of the Messia; which John pointed at now present, and being come.]

14. And if ye will receive it, he is Elias, which should come: [Not Elias the Thisbite in prison, John 1:21. but he tha was to come in the spirit and power of Elias, Luke 1:17]

15. He that hat ears to hear, let him hear. [That is to say, He that hath received the Spirit of understanding of God, let him take notice hereof with attention, 2 Cor. 3.5.]

16. But whereunto shall i liken this generation? [By this similitude Christ teacheth, that he had sought by all means, aswel gentle as harshh, to bring them to repentance] It is like unto little children which sit on the markets, and call their fellows.

17. And say,we have played on the pipe to you; and ye have not dances. We have sung mournful songs unto you, and ye have lamented. [Gr. Not smitten on the breast: that is, shewed no taken of sorrow.]

18. For John came neither eating nor drinking, [namely, after the common manner of other men] and they say he hath the Devil.

19. The son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Lo there, a man (that is) a glatton, and a wine – bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified [That is, Christ, who is called the wisdome of the Father, Prov.8. verse 12, &c. 1 Cor . 1.24. or his doctrine was acknowledged and received for good and right, of its true Disciples] of her children.

20. Then began he to upbraid [To reprove then to their shame, and to eaten woe unto them] the Cities in the which most of his mighty works were done, because they had not repented.

21. Woe to the Chorazin , woe to thee Bethsaida: For if the mighty (works) were come to pass in Tyreand Sidoa [Thse were two Cities of the Gentiles lying the Midland Sea in Phoenia, wich in former times lived in great voluptuousness, pride, and wahtonners. See Isa 23. and Ezek. ch. 26,27.] which are come to pass inyou, they would have repented long ago [namley, while they were yet in their slourishing and proserous estate, before they were taken by force and laid waste by Alexander the great] have repented, in sackcloth and ashes. [By such signs they shewed repentance in former times, see Isaiah 58:5. Lament 2.10. Daniel 9:3. and John 3:6.]

22. But i say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of Judgment, then for you.

23. And thou Capernaum which art exalted unt Heaven, [Aswel in respect of thy prosperity, as by the inhabitanting, doctrine, and miracles of Chhrist] thou shalt be thrust down into Hell. For if those migghhty (works) had happened in thee, it would have remained this very day

24. But i say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for te land of Sodom in te day of Judgment, then for thee.

25. At thhe same time Jesus answered and said, [This seems here respect thhe relation which thhe seventy Disciples hhad made unto him, of the issue of their journey, as may be gathered out of Luke 10:17.] i thank thee, O Father, [Gr. confess, i.e. thank or praise] Lord of Hheaven and Earth; that thou hhast hid these thinggs from the wise and understanding [namely, according to the fleshh, or of this world. See 1 Cor. 1. 20.26.] and hhast revealed the same unto Babes. [thhat is, whichh are children in understanding, or who are little esteemed. see 1 Cor 1. 27. and 14.20]

26. Yea Father, for so it was well – pleasing before thee. [that is, thy good pleasure: of which good pleasure, see; Luke 2:14. and 12.32. Ephh. 1.5.]

27. All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son but the Father, neither knoweth any man the Father but the Son; and be to whom the Son will reveal it [Namley by his Word and Spirit, 1 Cor. 2. verse 11,12.]

28. Come hither to me all that are wearied [or, labour unto weariness] and burdened, [Namely, with the burden of sins, or else of the Law and humane or ordinances] and i will give you rest.

29. Take my yoak upon you, [That is, my doctrine consisting aswel in commands as promises] and learn of me, that i am meek and lowly of heart; and you shall find rest for your souls.

30. For my yoak is soft, [Thhat is, easire, or well to be born] and my burden is light. [It is so called, because Christ by his merits and the power of his Spirit, amkes the same light. See Rom. 8. verse 26. and 1 John 5. verse 3,4. which is opposed to the importable yoak of the Law, Acts 15:10. and of humane ordinances, Matth. 23.4.]