Matthew 11:1-19 New
International Version
Jesus and John the Baptist
11 After Jesus had finished instructing his
twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.[a]
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[b]
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.’[c]
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,[d]
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.
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.”
When Faith Meets Questions
Matthew 11:1-19
John the Baptist was a very disciplined man and well known. John the Babtist did many great things and attracted much attention. He was taken from the desert and his followers and put into prison.
John the Baptist had proclaimed that Jesus was the Messiah.
Matthew 3:11-12 ESV
[11] “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. [12] His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
Still John needed to examine who Jesus was, so John sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He was the one.
Matthew 11:2-3 ESV
[2] Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples [3] and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”
Jesus responds with evidence of what He was doing rather than a direct answer.
Matthew 11:4-6 ESV
[4] And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: [5] the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. [6] And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
John would have to examine his understanding of who the messiah was. Jesus was doing something very radical. Jesus came to bring the Good News and He did great things such as healing people. John and his disciples were probably hoping Jesus would say that He was the Messiah. Yet, Jesus gave evidence to show the signs that He was the Messiah.
The Kingdom of God is revealed through actions and transformations. However, those actions are not great miracles, political movements or punishing unjust people and systems. The Kingdom of God is about restoration and healing what is broken.
Jesus gives praise to John the Baptist but added something very humbling.
Matthew 11:11 ESV
[11] Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Jesus then goes onto show the spiritually corrupt generation with a children playing a game.
Matthew 11:16-19 ESV
[16] “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates, [17] “‘We played the flute 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, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”
Here is an attitude problem with people. John the Baptist who was very disciplined, was criticized about his austere life. Whereas with Jesus, who celebrated openly, people criticized His behavior and His company. The people did not have the heart to see God truly. The people put their expectations first and refused to respond.
The real issues was not that God hadn't spoken or hadn’t shown himself; the real issue was the people had chosen not to respond.
If you love God, you will have questions. You might be in a type of prison. Waiting to be released from suffering while praying for change. You might see the signs of the Kingdom of God, but finding excuses not to believe this is the Kingdom of God.
The Gospel is being preached to the poor, the sick are being healed and the disabled made able. Jesus is still working and we need to respond to Jesus.
