Matthew 11
WesleyMatthew 11:1
The particular providence of God is another reason for your not fearing man. For this extends to the very smallest things. And if he has such care over the most inconsiderable creatures, how much more will he take care of you, (provided you confess him before men, before powerful enemies of the truth,) and that not only in this life, but in the other also? Luke 12:7.
Matthew 11:3
Whosoever shall confess me - Publicly acknowledge me for the promised Messiah. But this confession implies the receiving his whole doctrine, Mark 8:38, and obeying all his commandments. Luke 9:26.
Matthew 11:4
Whosoever shall deny me before men - To which ye will be strongly tempted. For Think not that I am come - That is, think not that universal peace will be the immediate consequence of my coming. Just the contrary. Both public and private divisions will follow, wheresoever my Gospel comes with power. Ye - this is not the design, though it be the event of his coming, through the opposition of devils and men. Luke 12:51.
Matthew 11:5
Whosoever shall deny me before men - To which ye will be strongly tempted. For Think not that I am come - That is, think not that universal peace will be the immediate consequence of my coming. Just the contrary. Both public and private divisions will follow, wheresoever my Gospel comes with power. Ye - this is not the design, though it be the event of his coming, through the opposition of devils and men. Luke 12:51.
Matthew 11:7
And the foes of a man - That loves and follows me. Micah 7:6.
Matthew 11:8
He that loveth father or mother more than me - He that is not ready to give up all these, when they stand in competition with his duty.
Matthew 11:9
He that taketh not his cross - That is, whatever pain or inconvenience cannot be avoided, but by doing some evil, or omitting some good. Matthew 16:24; Luke 14:27.
Matthew 11:10
He that findeth his life shall lose it - He that saves his life by denying me, shall lose it eternally; and he that loseth his life by confessing me, shall save it eternally. And as you shall be thus rewarded, so in proportion shall they who entertain you for my sake. Matthew 16:25; John 12:25.
Matthew 11:11
Matthew 18:5; Luke 10:16; John 13:20.
Matthew 11:12
He that entertaineth a prophet - That is, a preacher of the Gospel: In the name of a prophet - That is, because he is such, shall share in his reward.
Matthew 11:13
One of these little ones - The very least Christian. Mark 9:41.
Matthew 11:15
In their cities - The other cities of Israel.
Matthew 11:16
He sent two of his disciples - Not because he doubted himself; but to confirm their faith. Luke 7:18.
Matthew 11:17
He that is to come - The Messiah.
Matthew 11:18
Go and tell John the things that ye hear and see - Which are a stronger proof of my being the Messiah, than any bare assertion can be.
Matthew 11:19
The poor have the Gospel preached to them - The greatest mercy of all. Isaiah 29:18; 35:5.
Matthew 11:20
Happy is he who shall not be offended at me - Notwithstanding all these proofs that I am the Messiah.
Matthew 11:21
As they departed, he said concerning John - Of whom probably he would not have said so much when they were present. A reed shaken by the wind? - No; nothing could ever shake John in the testimony he gave to the truth. The expression is proverbial.
Matthew 11:22
A man clothed in soft, delicate raiment - An effeminate courtier, accustomed to fawning and flattery? You may expect to find persons of such a character in palaces; not in a wilderness.
Matthew 11:23
More than a prophet - For the prophets only pointed me out afar off; but John was my immediate forerunner.
Matthew 11:24
Matthew 11:25
But he that is least in the kingdom of heaven, is greater than he - Which an ancient author explains thus: - “One perfect in the law, as John was, is inferior to one who is baptized into the death of Christ. For this is the kingdom of heaven, even to be buried with Christ, and to be raised up together with him. John was greater than all who had been then born of women, but he was cut off before the kingdom of heaven was given.” [He seems to mean, that righteousness, peace, and joy, which constitute the present inward kingdom of heaven.] “He was blameless as to that righteousness which is by the law; but he fell short of those who are perfected by the spirit of life which is in Christ. Whosoever, therefore, is least in the kingdom of heaven, by Christian regeneration, is greater than any who has attained only the righteousness of the law, because the law maketh nothing perfect.” It may farther mean, the least true Christian believer has a more perfect knowledge of Jesus Christ, of his redemption and kingdom, than John the Baptist had, who died before the full manifestation of the Gospel.
Matthew 11:26
And from the days of John - That is, from the time that John had fulfilled his ministry, men rush into my kingdom with a violence like that of those who are taking a city by storm.
Matthew 11:27
For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John - For all that is written in the law and the prophets only foretold as distant what is now fulfilled. In John the old dispensation expired, and the new began. Luke 16:16.
Matthew 11:28
Matthew 11:29
He that hath ears to hear, let him hear - A kind of proverbial expression; requiring the deepest attention to what is spoken.
Matthew 11:30
This generation - That is, the men of this age. They are like those froward children of whom their fellows complain, that they will be pleased no way.