Frameworks:
Matthew's Gospel, chapter 11
(The
objective of these ‘Frameworks' is to provide an easy-to-read
layout of the text in order then to use these individual verses
for verse-by-verse study or meditation. To focus each
verse we have also added in italic a description of what is happening)
FRAMEWORKS:
Matthew, chapter 11
v.1-19
Jesus and John the Baptist
v.20-24
Woe on Unrepentant Towns
v.25-30
The Father Revealed in the Son
v.1-19
Jesus and John the Baptist
v.1
(Jesus goes
on a teaching-preaching tour) After
Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on
from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
v.2,3
(John the Baptist
sends his disciples to enquire of Jesus) When
John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah,
he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come,
or should we expect someone else?”
v.4
(Jesus says,
report to John the evidence) Jesus
replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:
v.
5 (all the signs
of the kingdom) The
blind receive sight, the lame walk, those wo have leprosy are
cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news
is proclaimed to the poor.
v.6
(so be blessed,
don't stumble in your wondering) Blessed
is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
v.7
(Jesus asks
the crowd about John) 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?
v.8
(so why did
they do out to see him) 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.
v.9
(he's not just
any prophet) Then
what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more
than a prophet.
v.10
(he's the prophesied
messenger) This
is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger
ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' [Mal.
3:1]
v.11
(he's the greatest,
yet any in the revealed kingdom are greater) 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.
v.12
(since John
came there has been argument over the kingdom) From
the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven
has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding
it.
v.13 (the
prophets all spoke of it) For
all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.
v.14
(but if you
can believe, John is the prophesied ‘Elijah' – Mal 4:5) And
if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.
v.
15 (hear
what I'm saying) Whoever
has ears, let them hear.
v.16
(this has been
an unbelieving generation) “To
what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting
in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
v.17
(they reject
all options) “‘We
played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we
sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.'
v.18
(they denounced
John) For
John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a
demon.'
v.19
(now they denounce
me) 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.”
v.20-24
Woe on Unrepentant Towns
v.20
(so Jesus denounced
the unbelieving cities) Then
Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles
had been performed, because they did not repent.
v.21
(you are shown
up in history) “Woe
to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For 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.
v.22
(so your turn
for judgment is coming) But
I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the
day of judgment than for you.
v.23
(even Capernaum
will be judged for its unbelief over my miracles) And
you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will
go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you
had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.
v.24
(even Sodom
that was judged will be better on in the long term than you)
But
I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day
of judgment than for you.”
v.25-30
The Father Revealed in the Son
v.25,26
(Jesus prays
that the truth is revealed to the childlike) 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 is what you were pleased to do.
v.27
(no one knows
Jesus or the Father without revelation) “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.
v.28
(if you are
burdened, come and be rested) “Come
to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you
rest.
v.29
(be yoked to
me and learn a new way) 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.
v.30
(my life and
service is easy and light) For
my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”