Mateus 11
William Hendriksen · Citado em PreceptAustin
Mateus 11
Hendriksen says that "As John saw it, the gracious words that fell from the lips of the Savior and the miracles of mercy He performed did not harmonize with the manner in which He, the Baptist, had pictured Him before the public. He had presented Him as One who had come to punish and destroy (Mt. 3:7, 10; Lk 3:7, 9)....What Christ’s herald missed, however, was this: he failed to discern that this prophecy of doom would go into fulfilment not now but at Christ’s second coming. He had not seen the present and the future in true perspective." (New Testament Commentary - Page 483) Lowell
Mateus 11
Hendriksen has a good explanation on the meaning of in the spirit (pneuma) and power (dunamis) of Elijah asking "Does this mean that John was Elijah? The answer is both No and Yes. Not literally, as is clear from the fact that when John was asked, Are you Elijah? he truthfully answered, "I am not" (John 1:21+). But figuratively, so that Jesus even calls him Elijah (Mt. 11:13, 14+; cf. Mt 17:12; Mark 9:12, 13+). The solution is given here in Luke 1:17 - The spirit and power of Elijah was going to be clearly displayed in John the Baptist. Compare Elijah's boldness, "I have not troubled Israel but you [Ahab] have" (1Ki 18:18), with the Baptist's (Mt 14:4+), "It isn't right for you [Herod Antipas] to have her [your brother Philip's wife Herodias]." And see also Mt. 3:7+; Lk 3:7+, Lk 3:19+. (Borrow New Testament commentary: Exposition of the Gospel page 72) Louis Barbieri - Those leaders wanted a kingdom, but not the kind Jesus was offering. So they were resisting the message and attempting to establish their own rule. But John’s message was true, and if the nation would accept it, and consequently accept Jesus, John would fulfill the prophecies of Elijah. Only if they accepted the message would John the Baptist be the Elijah who was to come (cf. Mal. 4:5). Because the nation rejected the Messiah, Elijah’s coming is still future (cf. Mal 4:6 with Acts 3:21). (See context Bible Knowledge Commentary) Michael Andrus explains "You may recall that the prophet Elijah never died physically; he was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire. Therefore, he could conceivably return in his physical body and serve once more as a prophet in the last days. Jesus seems to say here in Matthew 11 that John the Baptizer could have served as the fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy had the Jewish people accepted Jesus as their Messiah. But since they did not, the fulfillment of that prophecy must wait. In fact, I believe Elijah may be one of the Two Witnesses mentioned in Revelation 11, who will preach and do amazing miracles during the Great Tribulation, who will be martyred by the Anti-Christ, and then will be raised from the dead by God’s power." (When God Sits on His Hands) C H Spurgeon Commentary - John was the Elijah for whom they looked. Would people believe it? Would they obey his command to repent? Then he would be to them a true Elijah, and make straight for them the way of the Lord. Even a man sent of God is to his hearer very much what that hearer chooses to make of him. No doubt, many a great boon has been missed by men failing to accept it. “If ye will receive it ,” a minister, may be the channel of salvation, or the means of spiritual edification, or of surpassing joy; but if not received it may become a weariness, or as meaningless as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. Accept (1209) dechomai = middle voice of a primary verb) means to to receive something offered or transmitted by another (Luke 2:28). To take something into one's hand and so to grasp (Luke 2:28, 22:17). To be receptive to someone (Mt 10:14, 40). To take a favorable attitude toward something (Mt 11:14). Dechomai means to accept with a deliberate and ready reception of what is offered, to receive kindly and so to take to oneself what is presented or brought by another. It means to welcome as a teacher, a friend, or a guest into one's house. The word describes accepting persons with open arms, minds, and hearts, even going beyond normally expected gracious hospitality. The term was often used of welcoming honored guests and meeting their needs with special attention and kindness. QUESTION - Why must Elijah return before the end times (Malachi 4:5-6)? ANSWER - Malachi 4:5-6 offers an intriguing prophecy: “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.” To this day, Jewish Seders include an empty chair at the table in anticipation that Elijah will return to herald the Messiah in fulfillment of Malachi’s word. According to Malachi 4:6, the reason for Elijah’s return will be to “turn the hearts” of fathers and their children to each other. In other words, the goal would be reconciliation. In the New Testament, Jesus reveals that John the Baptist was the fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy: “All the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come” (Matthew 11:13-14). This fulfillment is also mentioned in Mark 1:2-4 and Luke 1:17; 7:27. Specifically related to Malachi 4:5-6 is Matthew 17:10-13: “His disciples asked Him, saying, ‘Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. . . .’ Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.” The scribes were the Jewish religious teachers, mostly Pharisees and Sadducees, who provided commentary on the Jewish Scriptures. Peter, James, and John were familiar with their teachings and asked Jesus about Elijah after seeing Jesus with Moses and Elijah at the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8). Jesus clearly stated that Elijah had already come, but, tragically, he was not recognized and had been killed. Jesus then predicted He would likewise die at the hands of His enemies (Mt 17:13). A brief look at the ministry of John the Baptist reveals many notable ways that he was “Elijah.” First, God predicted John’s work as being like that of Elijah (Luke 1:17). Second, he dressed like Elijah (2 Kings 1:8 and Matthew 3:4). Third, like Elijah, John the Baptist preached in the wilderness (Matthew 3:1). Fourth, both men preached a message of repentance. Fifth, both men withstood kings and had high-profile enemies (1 Kings 18:17 and Matthew 14:3). Some argue that John the Baptist was not the Elijah to come because John himself said that he was not Elijah. “And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not’” (John 1:21). There are two explanations for this apparent contradiction. First, because Elijah had never died (2 Kings 2:11), many first-century rabbis taught that Elijah was still alive and would reappear before the Messiah’s arrival. When John denied being Elijah, he could have been countering the idea that he was the actual Elijah who had been taken to heaven. Second, John’s words could indicate a difference between John’s view of himself and Jesus’ view of him. John may not have seen himself as the fulfillment of Malachi 4:5-6. However, Jesus did. There is no contradiction, then, simply a humble prophet giving an honest opinion of himself. John rejected the honor (cf. John 3:30), yet Jesus credited John as the fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy regarding the return of Elijah. As the metaphorical Elijah, John called people to repentance and a life of obedience, preparing the people of his generation for the coming of Jesus Christ, the One who had come “to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10) and to establish the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18). Norman Geisler - When Critics Ask MATTHEW 11:14—Didn’t Jesus say John the Baptist was Elijah reincarnated? PROBLEM: Jesus refers here to John the Baptist as “Elijah who is to come” (cf. Matt. 17:12; Mark 9:11–13). But, since Elijah had died many centuries before, John must have been a reincarnation of Elijah. SOLUTION: There are many reasons why this verse does not teach reincarnation. First, John and Elijah did not have the same being—they had the same function. Jesus was not teaching that John the Baptist was literally Elijah, but simply that he came “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17), namely, to continue his prophetic ministry. Second, Jesus’ disciples understood that He was speaking about John the Baptist, since Elijah appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt. 17:10–13). Since John had already lived and died by then, and since Elijah still had the same name and self-consciousness, Elijah had obviously not been reincarnated as John the Baptist. Third, Elijah does not fit the reincarnation model for another reason—he did not die. He was taken to heaven like Enoch, who did not “see death” (2 Kings 2:11; cf. Heb. 11:5). According to traditional reincarnation, one must first die before he can be reincarnated into another body. Fourth, if there is any doubt about this passage, it should be understood in the light of the clear teaching of Scripture opposing reincarnation. Hebrews, for example declares, “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27; cf. John 9:2). John
Mateus 11
Hendriksen - As there are degrees of glory (1 Cor. 15:41, 42), so there are also degrees of punishment (Luke 12:47, 48). Sodom, to be sure, sinned grievously (Gen. 13:13; 19:9, 13; Isa. 3:9; Lam. 4:6; 2 Peter 2:6, 7; Jude 7); but the cities selected by the Lord Jesus Christ for receiving the very special privilege of having his personal representatives sent to them with a pleading and urgent appeal will have sinned even more grievously if they reject their golden opportunity. Therefore, in the day of the final judgment their sentence will be even more terrifying than that which will then be pronounced on Sodom. (Borrow Exposition of the Gospel of Luke) We are not sinners because we are skeptics. We are skeptics because we are sinners. -- Vance Havner More tolerable (414) anektoteros from anechomai from ana + echo - to hold oneself up against, put up with, forbear, suffer. gen. anektotérou, masc. adj., the comparative of anektós, tolerable, from anechomai = to bear) means bearable, endurable, tolerable, sufferable, easier to bear. Able to be endured. The word is used in a Christian letter of the 4th century to describe a sick lady who has gotten better: “Her condition seems to be more tolerable (anektoteron), as she can sit up” ANEKTOTEROS - 5V - Matt. 10:15; Matt. 11:22; Matt. 11:24; Lk. 10:12; Lk. 10:14 Judgment (justice, court, sentence)(2920) krisis from krino = to judge, decide) means a decision or judgment, verdict, justice, court (tribunal). The first use is by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount declaring "‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court." ("in danger of judgment") (Mt 5:21, cp also Mt 5:22) Mt 10:15, 11:22, 24 all describe Jesus' sobering warning to the Jews of a specific future and frightening "day of judgment." (cp "sentence of hell" Mt 23:33, see also 2 Peter 2:9, 11, 3:7, 1 John 4:17) In Jn 5:24 Jesus gives sinners the way of escape, the way to miss the horrible day of judgment (Heb 10:27)! In Mt 12:18 God's judgment is equated with justice, for He is the righteous and just Judge (cp Mt 12:20, 23:23, Rev 16:7). Note the striking contrast in Jn 5:29 "those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment." There is no such thing as reincarnation but only one life, one death, one judgment (Heb 9:27) Krisis - 47x/46v - court(2), judgment(38), judgments(2), justice(4), sentence(1). Matt. 5:21; Matt. 5:22; Matt. 10:15; Matt. 11:22; Matt. 11:24; Matt. 12:18; Matt. 12:20; Matt. 12:36; Matt. 12:41; Matt. 12:42; Matt. 23:23; Matt. 23:33; Lk. 10:14; Lk. 11:31; Lk. 11:32; Lk. 11:42; Jn. 3:19; Jn. 5:22; Jn. 5:24; Jn. 5:27; Jn. 5:29; Jn. 5:30; Jn. 7:24; Jn. 8:16; Jn. 12:31; Jn. 16:8; Jn. 16:11; Acts 8:33; 2 Thess. 1:5; 1 Tim. 5:24; Heb. 9:27; Heb. 10:27; Jas. 2:13; Jas. 5:12; 2 Pet. 2:4; 2 Pet. 2:9; 2 Pet. 2:11; 2 Pet. 3:7; 1 Jn. 4:17; Jude 1:6; Jude 1:9; Jude 1:15; Rev. 14:7; Rev. 16:7; Rev. 18:10; Rev. 19:2 The Rocks Of Unbelief The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. — Psalm 19:7 Today's Scripture : Matthew 11:20-24 Rocks. That’s all that’s left of the city of Chorazin. Just the rubble of a few buildings made of volcanic rock—yet this was once a thriving city on the Sea of Galilee. Not far from Chorazin is another pile of rocks—the former city of Capernaum. Same with Bethsaida. Once a bustling city where children played, men did business, and mothers ran households. Rocks. Nothing but rocks. When Jesus walked the streets of those cities, He knew this would happen. In Matthew 11:21-23, He said, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! . . . And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades.” In those cities, Jesus clearly showed Himself to be the Son of God—the One who had almighty power and could perform miracles. But the people refused to listen to His message. As a result, Chorazin, Capernaum, and Bethsaida were cursed by God and reduced to heaps of rocks—monuments to unbelief. Help me, Lord, be on my guard Lest unbelief of heart Should cause my feet to go astray, And from your truth depart. —DJD To ignore the Bible is to invite disaster. Matthew 11:23 “And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will descend to Hades; for if the miracles had occurred in Sodom which occurred in you, it would have remained to this day. BGT Matthew 11:23 καὶ σύ, Καφαρναούμ, μὴ ἕως οὐρανοῦ ὑψωθήσῃ; ἕως ᾅδου καταβήσῃ· ὅτι εἰ ἐν Σοδόμοις ἐγενήθησαν αἱ δυνάμεις αἱ γενόμεναι ἐν σοί, ἔμεινεν ἂν μέχρι τῆς σήμερον. KJV Matthew 11:23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. NET Matthew 11:23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be thrown down to Hades! For if the miracles done among you had been done in Sodom, it would have continued to this day. CSB Matthew 11:23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until today. ESV Matthew 11:23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. NIV Matthew 11:23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. NLT Matthew 11:23 "And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead. For if the miracles I did for you had been done in wicked Sodom, it would still be here today. NRS Matthew 11:23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. NJB Matthew 11:23 And as for you, Capernaum, did you want to be raised as high as heaven? You shall be flung down to hell. For if the miracles done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have been standing yet. NAB Matthew 11:23 And as for you, Capernaum: 'Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld.' For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. YLT Matthew 11:23 'And thou, Capernaum, which unto the heaven wast exalted, unto hades shalt be brought down, because if in Sodom had been done the mighty works that were done in thee, it had remained unto this day; GWN Matthew 11:23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to heaven? No, you will go down to hell! If the miracles that had been worked in you had been worked in Sodom, it would still be there today. Capernaum - Mt 4:13 Mt 8:5 Mt 17:24 Lu 4:23 Joh 4:46-54 which - Isa 14:13-15 La 2:1 Eze 28:12-19 31:16,17 Ob 1:4 Lu 14:11 2Pe 2:4-9 in Sodom - Ge 13:13 19:24,25 Eze 16:48-50 Jude 1:7 Rev 11:8 Matthew 11 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 4:13+ and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. Ruins of Synagogue at Capernaum THE SAD PROPHESIED PLIGHT OF CAPERNAUM And you, Capernaum ("Nahum's village"), will not be exalted (hupsoo) to heaven, will you? - The Greek expects a negative answer! Capernaum would not ascend to Heaven but tragically would descend to Hades. Brian Bell reminds that "5 out of 10 miracles in ch’s 8 & 9 were performed in Capernaum (including raising of Jairus’ daughter). [the brighter the light the greater the responsibility] You will descend to Hades (hades); for (hoti) if the miracles (dunamis) had occurred in Sodom which occurred in you, it would have remained (meno) to this day - Jesus asks, then answers, and then explains why Capernaum would be judged more severely than abominable Sodom. Imagine the reaction of the original hearers of Jesus' words in effect making Capernaum lower than Sodom! One is surprised they did not attempt to stone Him! What is so sad is that Capernaum was Jesus' headquarters and had as much light as any city in the history of the world. And yet most of the city rejected His light. The Lord was making the point that there is accountability in opportunity. --Rod Mattoon Phil Newton - "Miracles" is a technical term in the Gospels that refers to the displays of divine power for the purpose of attesting Christ as Son of God and Redeemer of sinners. These were not miracles for the sake of miracles but demonstrations of the power of God - the same power that could raise sinners from the dead to real life. While the theme of judgment runs strongly in this text, there is clearly the companion reality. "God never announces judgement [sic] until He has first given us a full opportunity," explains Martyn Lloyd-Jones [borrow The Heart of the Gospel, 99]. Before the woes came opportunities to repent of sins and follow Christ. And they had grand opportunities indeed, for Christ walked among them. (The Face of the Non-repentant)