Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Matthew
Book: Matthew
Chapter: 11
Overview:
Christ's preaching.
(1) Christ's answer to
John's disciples.
(2-6) Christ's
Testimony to
John the Baptist.
(7-15) The
perverseness of the Jews.
(16-24) The
Gospel revealed to the
simple. The heavy-laden invited.
(25-30)
1 Our Divine
Redeemer never was weary of his labour of
Love;
and we should not be weary of
Well-doing, for in due season we
shall reap, if we faint not.
2-6 Some think that
John sent this inquiry for his own
satisfaction. Where there is true
Faith, yet there may be a
mixture of unbelief. The remaining unbelief of good men may
sometimes, in an
Hour of
Temptation,
Call in question the most
important truths. But we
Hope that
John's
Faith did not fail in
this matter, and that he only desired to have it strengthened
and confirmed. Others think that
John sent his disciples to
Christ for their satisfaction.
Christ points them to what they
heard and saw.
Christ's gracious condescensions and compassions
to the
Poor, show that it was he that should bring to the world
the tender mercies of our
God. Those things which men see and
hear, if compared with the Scriptures, direct in what way
Salvation is to be found. It is difficult to conquer prejudices,
and dangerous not to conquer them; but those who believe in
Christ, their
Faith will be found
So much the more to praise,
and honour, and
Glory.
7-15 What
Christ said concerning
John, was not only for his
praise, but for the people's profit. Those who attend
On the
Word will be called to give an account of their improvements. Do
we think when the sermon is done, the care is over?
No, then the
greatest of the care begins.
John was a self-denying
Man, dead
to all the pomp of the world and the pleasures of sense. It
becomes people, in all their appearances, to be consistent with
their character and their situation.
John was a great and good
Man, yet not perfect; therefore he came short of glorified
saints. The least in
Heaven knows more, loves more, and does
more in praising
God, and receives more from him, than the
greatest in this world. But
By the kingdom of
Heaven here, is
rather to be understood the kingdom of
Grace, the
Gospel
Dispensation in its power and purity. What reason we have to be
thankful that our
Lot is cast in the days of the kingdom of
Heaven, under such advantages of
Light and
Love! Multitudes were
wrought upon
By the ministry of
John, and became his disciples.
And those strove for a place in this kingdom, that one would
think had
No right nor title to it, and
So seemed to be
intruders. It shows us what fervency and zeal are required of
all. Self must be denied; the bent, the frame and temper of the
mind must be altered. Those who will have an interest in the
great
Salvation, will have it upon any terms, and not think them
hard, nor quit their
Hold without a blessing. The things of
God
are of great and common concern.
God requires
No more from us
than the right use of the faculties he has given us. People are
ignorant, because they will not learn.
16-24 Christ reflects
On the
Scribes and
Pharisees, who had a
proud conceit of themselves. He likens their behaviour to
children's play, who being out of temper without reason, quarrel
with all the attempts of their fellows to please them, or to get
them to join in the plays for which they used to assemble. The
cavils of worldly men are often very trifling and show great
malice. Something they have to urge against every one, however
excellent and holy.
Christ, who was undefiled, and separate from
sinners, is here represented as in
League with them, and
polluted
By them. The most unspotted innocence will not always
be a defence against reproach.
Christ knew that the hearts of
the Jews were more
Bitter and hardened against his miracles and
doctrines, than those of
Tyre and
Sidon would have been;
therefore their condemnation would be the greater. The
Lord
exercises his almighty power, yet he punishes none more than
they deserve, and never withholds the knowledge of the
Truth
from those who long after it.
25-30 It becomes children to be grateful. When we come to
God
as a
Father, we must remember that he is
Lord of
Heaven and
Earth, which obliges us to come to him with reverence as to the
sovereign
Lord of all; yet with confidence, as one able to
defend us from evil, and to supply us with all good. Our blessed
Lord added a remarkable declaration, that the
Father had
delivered into his hands all power, authority, and
Judgment. We
are indebted to
Christ for all the
Revelation we have of
God the
Father's will and
Love, ever since
Adam sinned. Our
Saviour has
invited all that labour and are heavy-laden, to come unto him.
In some senses all men are
So. Worldly men
Burden themselves
with fruitless cares for wealth and honours; the gay and the
sensual labour in pursuit of pleasures; the
Slave of
Satan and
his own lusts, is the merest drudge
On Earth. Those who labour
to establish their own
Righteousness also labour in vain. The
convinced sinner is heavy-laden with guilt and terror; and the
tempted and afflicted believer has labours and burdens.
Christ
invites all to come to him for
Rest to their souls. He alone
gives this invitation; men come to him, when, feeling their
guilt and misery, and believing his
Love and power to help, they
seek him in fervent
Prayer. Thus it is the duty and interest of
weary and heavy-laden sinners, to come to
Jesus Christ. This is
the
Gospel Call; Whoever will, let him come. All who thus come
will receive
Rest as
Christ's
Gift, and obtain peace and comfort
in their hearts. But in coming to him they must take his
Yoke,
and submit to his authority. They must learn of him all things,
as to their comfort and obedience. He accepts the willing
servant, however imperfect the services. Here we may find
Rest
for our souls, and here only. Nor need we fear his
Yoke. His
Commandments are holy, just, and good. It requires self-denial,
and exposes to difficulties, but this is abundantly repaid, even
in this world,
By inward peace and joy. It is a
Yoke that is
lined with
Love.
So powerful are the assistances he gives us,
So
suitable the encouragements, and
So strong the consolations to
be found in the way of duty, that we may truly say, it is a
Yoke
of pleasantness. The way of duty is the way of
Rest. The truths
Christ teaches are such as we may venture our souls upon. Such
is the
Redeemer's
Mercy; and why should the labouring and
burdened sinner seek for
Rest from any other quarter? Let us
come to him daily, for deliverance from wrath and guilt, from
Sin and
Satan, from all our cares, fears, and sorrows. But
forced obedience, far from being easy and
Light, is a heavy
Burden. In vain do we draw near to
Jesus with our lips, while
the
Heart is far from him. Then come to
Jesus to find
Rest for
your souls.