Matthew (Written)

Friday, 4 July 2025

“But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, Matthew 11:16

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And to what I will liken this generation? It is like children in markets, sitting and addressing their companions” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus declared that he who has ears to hear should hear. That was stated in regard to John being the Elijah who was anticipated in the book of Malachi. Now, knowing that many will not heed His words, He addresses the crowd, beginning with, “And to what I will liken this generation?”

Who Jesus is speaking about in this verse and the coming verses is debated. Although getting ahead in the commentary, this must be determined at some point. Some see “this generation” of this clause as Jesus’ comparison to John and Himself. Others see it in reverse, meaning Jesus is referring to Himself and John as the children calling out.

To understand further, Jesus continues, saying, “It is like children in markets, sitting and addressing their companions.”

Here, the word agora is introduced. It signifies the town square, but the term is then extended at times to signify a market or thoroughfare. Therefore, there are children playing. These are small children in view of all who come through, where the people are gathered. As they play, they address those around them, here called “their companions.”

As for who “this generation” is referring to, seemingly convincing arguments are given for both views. For example, the Pulpit Commentary says –

(1) Many modern commentators (e.g. Meyer; Trench,’ Studies,’ p. 148) insist on the grammar and on the historical order in which the complaints are made, and believe that the Jews correspond to the pipers and the mourners, while it is John that refuses to rejoice, and our Lord that will not be sad.

(2) But the more usual interpretation is preferable. For

(a) in an illustrative saying one has chiefly to regard its general sense;

(b) in verse. 18, 19 the action of John and of our Lord in “coming” corresponds to the activity of the children;

(c) this interpretation seems much more in accordance with the context. The verses are therefore to be understood as meaning- John mourned in urging repentance, our Lord rejoiced in gospel liberty and preaching, but both alike were only ridiculed by the Jews. Markets; marketplaces (Revised Version); for there is no thought of the children helping their elders in traffic. And calling (which call, Revised Version) unto their fellows. Addressing them, but not necessarily noisily (Luke 6:13; Luke 13:12). Matthew 11:16

Vincent’s Word Studies says –

“The Rev. Donald Fraser gives the picture simply and vividly: ‘He pictured a group of little children playing at make-believe marriages and funerals. First they acted a marriage procession; some of them piping as on instruments of music, while the rest were expected to leap and dance. In a perverse mood, however, these last did not respond, but stood still and looked discontented. So the little pipers changed their game and proposed a funeral. They began to imitate the loud wailing of eastern mourners. But again they were thwarted, for their companions refused to chime in with the mournful cry and to beat their breasts….So the disappointed children complained: ‘We piped unto you and ye did not dance; we wailed, and ye did not mourn. Nothing pleases you. If you don’t want to dance, why don’t yon mourn?…It is plain that yon are in bad humor, and determined not to be pleased’” (“Metaphors in the Gospels”). The issue is between the Jews (this generation) and the children of wisdom, Matthew 11:19.”

These arguments will be considered in the coming verses. However, a simple way to determine which view is likely correct is to look at the words “this generation.” In doing so, the likely view will be revealed. They are listed (as translated by the NKJV) as, Matthew 11:16, Matthew 12:41, Matthew 12:42, Matthew 12:45, Matthew 24:34, Mark 8:12, Mark 8:38, Mark 13:30, Luke 7:31, Luke 11:29, Luke 11:30, Luke 11:32, Luke 11:50, Luke 11:51, Luke 17:25, Luke 21:32, Acts 2:40. Note: Luke 16:8 is also close in thought to these verses. Likewise, other verses, such as Luke 9:41, though not using the term “this” still refer to the same generation in the same manner.

Reading those verses will reveal which view is most likely the correct one, even before all the verses related to Jesus’ words here are completed. In fact, every other instance identifies the same particular category. If the words “this generation” here are not referring to what they are, it would be an outlier.

Life application: Although in Scripture there are times when words are used in a sense different from the more common rendering, it can generally be expected that selected words will be used in a consistent manner. In some instances, the consistency will help definitively identify what is being said or pictured.

Therefore, doing word and phrase studies is a very helpful tool when analyzing passages. Doing it from English translations may bring out false comparisons because translators often use the same word to translate different words, or they will use different words to translate the same word.

Such inconsistencies will cause an analysis to be off a bit. Doing word studies in the original languages is rather easy, but phrase studies can be a bit more difficult. At times, there are commentaries that have already done such studies, thus saving the effort. But even then, scholars can make errors. Therefore, if possible, it is still good to verify their work.

When reading commentaries, don’t just hurriedly accept one because it sounds right. Reading those given above, the scholars have come to exactly the opposite conclusions. But if you were only provided with one of the commentaries, you might think that it sounds correct and agree.

However, with the two contrasting views, you can see that more thought and study are needed. As no commentary reviewed for this study analyzed the words “this generation,” it seemed like a logical point to check.

Expand on what you read. Consider what you come across. Think about what is being said and why the words are being provided by God in His word. Spend your time in the word wisely and check things out. It is a marvelous treasure of wonder and delight.

Lord God, help us to judiciously consider Your word, contemplating it from many angles and doing our best to determine what is right. May our conclusions be based on more than picking and choosing what we like or initially think, but on a careful analysis of what is presented. Help us in this, O God. Amen.

Thursday, 3 July 2025

He who has ears to hear, let him hear! Matthew 11:15

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“The ‘having ears to hear,’ let him hear” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus made a pronouncement that was not to be dismissed or casually heard and then forgotten. Rather, the very state of Israel, both the nation and each individual, would be affected by His words, which were, “And if you incline to receive, he, he is Elijah, the ‘being about to come.’” With that emphatic declaration made, He next says, “The ‘having ears to hear,’ let him hear.”

In other words, what I just said needs to be heard and assimilated. The reason for this was partly cited in the previous commentary. The final verse of Malachi says –

“Remember! Law Moses, My servant,
Which commanded him in Horeb upon all Israel –
Enactments and judgments.
⁵ Behold! I sending to you Elijah the prophet,
To faces coming day Yehovah –
The whopping and the fearing.
⁶ And turned heart fathers upon sons,
And heart sons upon fathers.
Lest come and strike the land – anathema.” Malachi 4:4-6

Jesus is saying that John is the fulfillment of the promised coming of Elijah. If they rejected his message by rejecting Jesus whom he proclaimed, the land would be struck with a curse.

Life application: A few points about the verses from Malachi. When the Lord proclaimed through him to remember the Law of Moses, He was not talking about obeying the law. That was something they were supposed to do already. He was telling them to remember the law that referred to the coming Redeemer.

Malachi proclaimed in verse 4:2 that a Righteousness Sun was coming. The meaning to be inferred is that the Law of Moses was not a Righteousness Sun. Rather, Paul states it was a tutor to lead us to Christ (Galatians 3:24). In remembering the law and anticipating the promise set forth in Malachi, the people would then be prepared for the coming of Christ.

Understanding this, in verse 4:6 where it speaks of turning the heart of the fathers upon sons, and heart sons upon fathers, that is not a verse describing immediate family relations, as in, “He will turn the people in the families to love one another.” Rather, it is a word concerning the Hebrew people as a whole. The fathers are the patriarchs, especially Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The children are those who had misunderstood both the promise to the patriarchs and the purpose of the law. The heart of the fathers was that of promise while trusting in the gospel of the grace of God. Paul explains this in Galatians 3 –

“And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’ ⁹ So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.”

“And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. ¹⁸ For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.” Galatians 3:8, 9, & 17, 18

The hearts of the children, the unbelievers of Israel, will have their hearts turned to the hearts of the fathers who trusted the gospel of Christ as a certain and sure promise. If they do not turn their hearts, the warning of the curse of the law stands firm.

In the last words of Malachi concerning the curse, the Old Testament ends with the word kherem, anathema. It speaks of the utter destruction or ban of something. It is a fitting end to the thirty-nine books of law.

Only with the hope of God in Christ is there life and renewed fellowship with God. Only in understanding the gospel can that state be realized. In Matthew 23:36, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.”

The nation as a whole rejected Jesus, remained under the law, and fell under the ban because of it. The second fulfillment will be for those of Israel who continue to reject Jesus during the tribulation. However, for the nation, that will eventually end. The land of Israel, symbolized by Jerusalem, was anathema because of Israel’s rejection of Jesus. This is seen in Zechariah 14:11 –

“The people shall dwell in it;
And no longer shall there be utter destruction [kherem],
But Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.”

This prophecy concerns the future when Israel finally receives Jesus. Only when the hearts of the children are turned to the hearts of the fathers will this time of woe for Israel end. The day is coming, and the world is being readied for it with the return of Israel to her land. The nation has been reestablished, prophecies of the past have come to their fulfillment, and many more prophecies are set to be fulfilled.

Our trust is not to be in the Law of Moses but in the One who is spoken of there and throughout all of Scripture. It is not easy to let go and place ourselves solely under the authority of another, but we must do so.

Let us not fail to put our trust in Him. Anything else will not carry us through to the restoration that God offers to His people. Yes, let us trust solely in the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Lord God, may our faith in You grow each day as we rely solely on the grace of Jesus Christ. Help us never to put ourselves into the salvation equation except as receiving it by faith and being grateful for what He did. Thank You for Jesus our Savior! Amen.

Wednesday, 2 July 2025

And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. Matthew 11:14

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And if you incline to receive, he, he is Elijah, the ‘being about to come.’” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus said, “For all the prophets and the law, until John, they prophesied.” He next says, still speaking of John, “And if you incline to receive.”

Jesus will state a matter which is a certain truth, but He sets it forth as a proposition. Therefore, someone may accept or reject the proposition as he is so inclined. Because it is the Lord speaking, it is to be considered an act of trust as well as faith in the reliability of His word that it is so. This proposition is, “he, he is Elijah.”

One can see the emphatic nature of His words, and it is the emphasis that brings about the proper understanding of what Jesus is saying. There is a prophecy in Malachi 4 that everyone would have known about –

“Behold! I sending to you Elijah the prophet,
To faces coming day Yehovah –
The whopping and the fearing.
⁶ And turned heart fathers upon sons,
And heart sons upon fathers.
Lest come and strike the land – anathema.” Malachi 4:5, 6 (CG)

Jesus says that John the Baptist is this “Elijah” who was prophesied about. Thus, he is “the ‘being about to come.’” In other words, from the time the prophecy was given, there was the expectation that Elijah was coming. Each year, Jewish tradition taught that he would arrive at a feast, but this is most usually associated with the Passover. For this reason, it was (and still is to this day) a custom for some Jews to leave an empty chair at the seder, hoping it was to their home he would come.

However, it is clear from verses in Luke and John that John the Baptist is not Elijah –

“He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Luke 1:17

“Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’
²⁰ He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, ‘I am not the Christ.’
²¹ And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’
He said, ‘I am not.’” John 1:19-21

To understand what is going on, one must more fully grasp the words of Malachi. Malachi 3:1 said that the messenger of the Lord, who is John the Baptist, would prepare the way for the Messenger of the covenant, Jesus. Reading the New Testament, it is taken as a certainty that this was referring to John and then Jesus.

John came in the spirit and power of Elijah. Jesus, with His emphatic proclamation, is essentially saying, “John is doing the work of Elijah. You must accept this and not look for any other to avoid the curse of Malachi 4 to come upon you.”

However, God knew that Jesus would be rejected by Israel. In Malachi 4:1, it says, “For behold! The day coming…” The day referred to corresponds to what was said in Malachi 3:2 –

“But who can endure the day of His coming?
And who can stand when He appears?”

But what exactly is this day? Scholars vary in their interpretation of its meaning. Some place it at the time of Christ’s coming and the nation’s rejection of Him. Thus, the destruction of Jerusalem by fire and the exile of the people. Others see it as the day when Christ returns in fiery judgment, as in 2 Peter 3:7 –

“But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”

If this is the same day referred to in Malachi 3, one might assume the day is in Jesus’ first coming. This is what Jesus is testifying to now. However, Malachi 4:5 says that this day is when the Lord will send Elijah the prophet, a man who did not die but who was taken directly to heaven in a whirlwind, as recorded in 2 Kings 2.

The answer to the meaning of “the day” comes from understanding God’s irrevocable faithfulness to His unfaithful people, Israel. He has promised that He will bring them into the New Covenant. As a nation, that has not yet happened.

And so, the day is not one particular time, nor is it one particular event. It is a succession of events that comprises the day of the Lord’s judgment spanning the history of Israel from Christ’s first advent until His second.

John the Baptist came as the promised Elijah, and the nation did not receive Jesus. In the future, Elijah himself will return to testify once again to the nation. If Israel had heeded Jesus’ emphatic proclamation, John’s ministry would have been accepted as the coming of Elijah, they would have accepted Jesus, and they would have avoided the past two thousand years of calamity. But they didn’t.

Hence, there is a need for Elijah to return and testify to the nation in the future.

Life application: God has not forsaken Israel, and the church has not replaced Israel or become “spiritual Israel.” The Bible never hints at such a thing. Rather, the church is a separate entity, fulfilling God’s plan of redemption while Israel has languished under the punishment of the curses of the Law of Moses for having rejected Jesus.

However, despite their unfaithfulness, God has remained faithful. Were He to reject Israel, He would be just as prone to rejecting us in our state of salvation. Such will never be the case. Our unfaithfulness in no way negates God’s faithfulness. We are saved and we continue to be saved despite ourselves. Thank God for Jesus, who has made this possible.

Lord God, thank You for the glory of Jesus Christ. His shed blood is sufficient not only to save all who come to Him, but to keep them saved until the day of redemption. We have no need to fear if we could lose what You have granted to us. We are secure until the end because of Jesus and His cross. Thank You, O God, for Jesus. Amen.

Tuesday, 1 July 2025

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

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“For all the prophets and the law, until John, they prophesied” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus told those with Him, “And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of the heavens, it is forced, and forcers, they seize it.” Now, He continues, saying, “For all the prophets and the law.”

The word “for” is given to explain the previous verse. The coming of Jesus as Messiah, which signified the coming of the kingdom of the heavens, was prophesied in advance. It was the great anticipation of the people. This is so obvious from Scripture that even the Samaritans understood it –

“The woman said to Him, ‘I know that Messiah is coming’ (who is called Christ). ‘When He comes, He will tell us all things.’
²⁶ Jesus said to her, ‘I who speak to you am He.’” John 4:25, 26

With such high anticipation, when John came on the scene proclaiming that the kingdom was at hand, the people rushed towards the news, forcing themselves into the body of others desirous of obtaining the promise.

As for the term, “the prophets and the law,” it is a thought repeated eleven times in the New Testament. However, this is the only time it mentions the prophets first. The reason for the change is that Jesus is focusing on John’s prophetic ministry first and foremost.

The law anticipated the coming of the Messiah in an almost innumerable number of times in types and shadows. It also has explicit references to Him, such as the Prophet noted in Deuteronomy 18:15-22.

However, Moses was a prophet as well as the lawgiver. It is the words of the prophets, including the giving of the law, that anticipated the coming of the Messiah. That line of prophets is referred to by Jesus next, saying, “until John, they prophesied.”

Jesus is clearly stating that the role of the prophet heralding the coming of the Messiah ends with John. Prophecies continue in the New Testament, but the words pointing to Jesus’ coming find their termination with John.

In Revelation 11, it says –

“And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” Revelation 11:3

These two witnesses of the future will testify to the Messiah who has come. They will be a witness to Israel and the world at large that what is recorded about John here is the truth. His prophecies and proclamations focused on the entrance of the new dispensation that was about to be revealed.

Life application: In the book of Hebrews, the author provides minute detail concerning the effects of Jesus’ work. He is so specific and so pinpointed in his words that it is incredible that people who read the book cannot seem to grasp what is being conveyed.

For example, the Hebrew Roots Movement adherents call what Jesus did a “renewed covenant,” not a New Covenant. The implication, followed by explicit teaching by them, is that the Law of Moses is renewed and adherents must abide by it.

In Hebrews 7 (for example), the author clearly teaches against such a ridiculous thought –

“Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? ¹² For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. ¹³ For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar.
¹⁴ For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. ¹⁵ And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest ¹⁶ who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. ¹⁷ For He testifies:
‘You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.’
¹⁸ For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, ¹⁹ for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.” Hebrews 7:11-19

This is one of several examples of the clear and precise teaching by the author that completely refutes the heresy of Mosaic Law observance. The words are black ink on white paper, and their intended meaning will be evident to anyone willing to pick up the book and read it.

The law prophesied of its own termination. The prophets referred to that coming day multiple times. John called out that the time for Messiah to come had arrived. And yet, here we are, over two thousand years later, missing the mark on who Jesus is and what He accomplished! Pay heed to the word. For those who find Jesus, it is life. For those who find law observance (because they failed to heed what is said), there will be condemnation.

“You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” Galatians 5:4

Lord God, how can our world be so filled with Bibles, the most published book in all of human history, and yet be so illiterate in what it says? Help us to be willing to put in the time and effort it takes to read, study, and understand this precious gift. May we not be negligent in seeking out its glorious pages that tell us of Jesus and what He has done for us. Amen.

Monday, 30 June 2025

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

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of the heavens, it is forced, and forcers, they seize it” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus noted the greatness of John among humanity, and yet the least in the kingdom of the heavens was greater than he. He now continues with, “And from the days of John the Baptist until now.”

The “days of John the Baptist” refer to the beginning of his ministry. This was recorded in Matthew 3 –

“And in those days, comes John the Baptist, proclaiming in the desolate of Judea, ² and saying, ‘Reconsider! For it has neared – the kingdom of the heavens!’ ³ For this he is, the ‘having been spoken by Isaiah the prophet,’ saying, ‘A voice hollering in the desolate, “Prepare the Lord’s way. Make straight His paths.”’” Matthew 3:1-3

From that time, until the time of Jesus’ words while speaking to those present, He says that “the kingdom of the heavens, it is forced.”

A new verb, biazó, is seen here. It signifies to force, as in to advance forcefully. It is only found here and in Luke 16. In this verse, scholars debated whether it is in the middle or passive voice. It seems likely that it is passive.

One can think of the kingdom as a castle that is being forced upon by an advancing army. John’s words said, “Reconsider! For it has neared – the kingdom of the heavens!” With that, the people came and they were immersed by him in the Jordan.

They were, as it were, forcing their way into what was referred to. Think of a long-anticipated Hollywood movie. Without advance notice, it is sent out to all the movie theaters with a person standing outside at each and saying, “Pull out your wallets! The biggest hit movie of the century has arrived!”

Upon hearing that, the movie theater is forced as people clamor to get in. This is the sense of what is presented. Understanding this, Jesus next says, “and forcers, they seize it.”

Another new word is seen here, biastés, a forcer. It is found only here in the New Testament and is derived from the verb biazó, just used. Both words come from bios, a primary word signifying life, meaning the present state of existence.

One can see the etymological root of our modern-day words such as biosphere, biology, etc. In Jesus’ words of this clause, it is as if the movie theater is overwhelmed, and those who were able forced their way in. This is the sense of His words concerning the kingdom. John has “prepared the way of the Lord.” This was his honor, and it is what prompted Jesus to say, “not he has risen in ‘born of women’ greater than John the Baptist.”

Unlike some translations, there is nothing violent or hostile in the thought. Rather, Jesus is expressing that there is a surge of hope and anticipation as people rush to receive what John first set forth as the arrival of the kingdom.

Life application: The words of Jesus in this verse continue to be experienced in the hearts of people around the world to this day. Evangelist Ed Hinson once spoke of having preached in Africa. The crowd included a very large and intimidating person holding an AK-47.

Ed noted that this was the last person he could imagine who would be interested in what he had to say. However, he spoke of Jesus and the gospel. As he did, the man broke into tears, receiving Jesus and being added to the roles of the redeemed of heaven.

Instead of force against a military camp, his heart forced its way through the otherwise impregnable walls of heaven, finding access through the shed blood of Christ.

It is good to look back and remember the time when we heard and believed the good news. Life took on a new direction, carried a new sense of purpose, and had a new value that was never before contemplated.

When we consider the event in our own lives, we can hopefully determine to see that come about in the lives of others. Be sure to hand out tracts, speak about Jesus, and even get on the rooftops and shout out about what He has done in your life.

People need Jesus.

“For He says:
‘In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.’
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2

Lord God, how thankful we are that Jesus has come to grant access to heaven for those who are willing to believe the good news. Help us to be willing to share what we know with those who have yet to accept what You offer through Him. May we not be negligent in this wonderful honor we have in sharing the word. Amen.