Matthew 11:20-30
Summary for Matt 11:20-24: 11:20-24 a The miracles Jesus performed confirmed him as Messiah (11:5-6 b) and demanded repentance (11:20 c). Rejecting the Messiah would result in terrible judgment because the evidence of Jesus’ identity was clear.Summary for Matt 11:21-24: 11:21-24 d As Jesus moved through the villages of Galilee—from Korazin to Bethsaida to Capernaum—he gave the people a greater revelation of himself, with a correspondingly more severe judgment when they refused to listen. The severity is indicated by comparison with the pagan cities of Tyre (Isa 23 e; Ezek 26:1–28:19 f), Sidon (Ezek 28:20-23 g), and Sodom (Gen 18:22–19:29 h).
11:23 i the place of the dead: Greek Hades, which corresponds to the Hebrew term Sheol (see study note on Ps 6:5).
Summary for Matt 11:25-30: 11:25-30 j This passage focuses on the remnant who, despite the present generation’s overall rejection of the Messiah, willingly embrace him and follow his teachings. 11:25 k those who think themselves wise and clever: The Pharisees and teachers of religious law thought their access to God was guaranteed through their knowledge and practice of the law. Jesus’ disciples were more childlike (see 21:15-16 l).
11:27 m Jesus was revealing his intimate relationship to the Father. Everything he said and did was rooted in this Father–Son unity (see John 10:14-15 n; 14:6-7 o; 15:23-24 p; 16:15 q; 17:25-26 r).
11:28 s The heavy burdens were likely caused by the legal requirements of the teachers of religious law and Pharisees (see 23:4 t).
• rest: Spiritual refreshment in either a present or a future sense (cp. 1:21 u; Heb 4:8-11 v).
Summary for Matt 11:29-30: 11:29-30 w A yoke, which forms a harness between two animals, is a metaphor for the demands of discipleship. In contrast to the “yoke” of the religious leaders, Jesus’ yoke is easy and light, not because it is less demanding (see 7:13-14 x), but because the power of the Messiah (by the Holy Spirit) makes it possible (see Acts 15:10 y; 1 Jn 5:3 z). The religious demands of Israel’s spiritual leaders (Matt 23:4 aa; Acts 15:10 ab) included 613 Old Testament commands and their expansion through tradition. Jesus urged those who were suffering from the burdens of the Pharisees’ stipulations to come to him (Matt 11:28 ac) in order to find the salvation their hearts desired. It is a call to salvation involving a life of obedience to Jesus’ new teachings. People are invited to enter a relationship with a humble and gentle teacher.
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