Matthew 11:28-30
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Matthew 11:28-30
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. KJV
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 11:28–30.
28 Δεῦτε πρός με πάντες οἱ κοπιῶντες καὶ πεφορτισμένοι, κἀγὼ ἀναπαύσω ὑμᾶς. 29 ἄρατε τὸν ζυγόν μου ἐφʼ ὑμᾶς καὶ μάθετε ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ, ὅτι πραΰς εἰμι καὶ ταπεινὸς τῇ καρδίᾳ, καὶ εὑρήσετε ἀνάπαυσιν ταῖς ψυχαῖς ὑμῶν· 30 ὁ γὰρ ζυγός μου χρηστὸς καὶ τὸ φορτίον μου ἐλαφρόν ἐστιν.
Michael W. Holmes, The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition (Lexham Press; Society of Biblical Literature, 2011–2013), Mt 11:28–30.
"We are invited to Christ as our priest, prince, and prophet; to be saved, to be ruled, to be taught." Henry
We have here an explanation of Christianity that is radically different from every other religious system in the history of the world. With such an amazing invitation, we need to understand exactly what it means to come to Jesus.
David Platt, Exalting Jesus in Matthew, ed. Daniel L. Akin, David Platt, and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2013), 151.
The Jewish people struggled under an enormous load of religious expectations and legalities that were laid on them by their false religious leaders. Jesus was saying, “Come, take on yourself the light burden of obedience under the covenant I will seal with my own blood, and I will give you the covenant reward of deep-down, peaceful rest—freedom from guilt, the power of sin, and self-striving. If you continue carrying the heavy burden of works-oriented, self-serving Pharisaism, you will never find rest. You were designed by God to carry my load, not man’s” (cf. 23:4).
Stuart K. Weber, Matthew, vol. 1, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 168–169.
Note: I am’s Of Jesus -
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jn 6:35.
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jn 8:12.
So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jn 10:7.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jn 11:25.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
“A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse.” C.S. Lewis
I. The Invitation to Come. vs. 28
vs. 28 - Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give your rest.
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will rest you. NASB
28 Δεῦτε πρός με πάντες οἱ κοπιῶντες καὶ πεφορτισμένοι, κἀγὼ ἀναπαύσω ὑμᾶς.
"Rest in verses 28 and 29 (anapausis not katapausis) would perhaps be more accurately, less misleading, translated 'relief.'' Tasker
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden and over burdened, and l will cause you to rest - I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.
The first invitation is to come. To come to the Savior.
come - δεῦτε (plur. of δεῦρο), come hither, come, hither, an exclamatory word.
Alexander Souter, A Pocket Lexicon to the Greek New Testament (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1917), 60.- adv. (serves as pl. of
) come! come on! Gingrich
A. The One Whom We are Invited to Come To.
Come unto me - KJV
Come to me - NASB
The One to whom we must come is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Cp. vs. 27.
1. The Savior.
He alone deserves the title of Savior - He alone can accomplish the work of Savior.
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people form their sins."
He is the Savior of sinners. But be it remembered, He is the Savior of sinners who come to Him.
Note: John the Baptist's assessment of Jesus - Jn 1:29
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
2. The Lord.
I realize that for the most part men today as they have throughout the years - reject His Lordship. However, that does not negate the fact of His Lordship in the least. In fact, there is coming a day when "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil. 2:10-11)
Note: It is turning from the Lordship of Satan and getting under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
B. The Ones Who Are Encouraged to Come.
"all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
"all who are weary and heavy laden," NASB
"all you who labor and are heavy-laden and over burdened." Ampl.
labor -
- "has the two different meanings (a) growing weary, (b) toiling; it is
sometimes translated to bestow labour." Vine
heavy laden - (- perfect tense).
- "to load, ... in the Passive Voice, metaphorically, in Matt. 11:28,
'heavy laden.'' Vine
The tense in the first verb of the phrase, weary and burdened, conveys the idea of continual weariness and exhaustion, without a minute of relief. The perfect tense in the second verb implies that the people were completely loaded up at some time in the past, and the load remains perpetually on them. These people needed a break! Pharisaical legalism surrounding the Mosaic Law had ground them to spiritual powder. The Lord offered himself to them
Stuart K. Weber, Matthew, vol. 1, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 169.
1. Those who labor.
all ye that labour
labor - κοπιάω, (a) I grow weary, Mr. 11:28, John 4:6, Rev. 2:3; (b) I toil, work with effort (of bodily and mental labour alike).
Alexander Souter, A Pocket Lexicon to the Greek New Testament (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1917), 137.- "has the two different meanings (a) growing weary, (b) toiling; it is
sometimes translated to bestow labor." Vine
The ones who are often the most receptive to the Gospel message are those who as a result of sin have become weary and tired. And yet both sinner and saint alike have times of weariness - times of tiredness. To these the Savior calls -
"Come unto Me."
2. Those who are heavy laden.
Or those who are loaded down. How many there are who have upon their shoulders (unknown to others perhaps) such a load, such a burden. It is to these individuals our Lord says, "Come unto Me."
heavy laden - καὶ πεφορτισμένοι
φορτίζω (phortizō), vb. load; burden.- "to load" Vine
This is Christianity explained: we give Him the full weight of all our sin. These people were so burdened because they had failed over and over again to keep the law, and as leaders poured on more laws, the people felt more guilty. The weight of their sin became heavier, and they could not stand up under it.
David Platt, Exalting Jesus in Matthew, ed. Daniel L. Akin, David Platt, and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2013), 152.
We give Him the full weight of all our sin, and He gives us full pardon for all our sin. We are counted righteous in Christ because He has obeyed the very law we could not obey. Therefore, when we come to Him, we rest with peace before God
David Platt, Exalting Jesus in Matthew, ed. Daniel L. Akin, David Platt, and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2013), 153.
Note: The example of the prodigal and publican.
C. The Results of Coming to Christ.
"and I will give you rest."
κἀγὼ ἀναπαύσω ὑμᾶς
"I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls." Amplified
ἀναπαύω (anapauō), vb. revive; rest; remain quiet. fut.act. ἀναπαύσω;
Lit., "I will rest you." Morgan rest -
- "in the Active Voice, signifies to give intermission from labour,
to give rest, to refresh, Mt. 11:28;" Vine
1. Intermission from labor.
Whether it be laboring in sin, or laboring for the Lord - Jesus is able to give intermission from that labor.
2. Rest and refreshing.
The reason why so many are unrested and unrefreshed is due to the fact that they are not taking His offer.
"Thou hast made us for Thyself, O God, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in thee." - Augustine
Note: The call to John the Baptist; the age; the cities; the babes. - Morgan
II. The Invitation to Take. vv. 29,30
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
29 ἄρατε τὸν ζυγόν μου ἐφʼ ὑμᾶς καὶ μάθετε ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ, ὅτι πραΰς εἰμι καὶ ταπεινὸς τῇ καρδίᾳ, καὶ εὑρήσετε ἀνάπαυσιν ταῖς ψυχαῖς ὑμῶν· 30 ὁ γὰρ ζυγός μου χρηστὸς καὶ τὸ φορτίον μου ἐλαφρόν ἐστιν.
Take my yoke upon you, ..
ἄρατε τὸν ζυγόν μου ἐφʼ ὑμᾶς
take - αἴρω (airō), vb. take away; take up; pick up.For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
ζυγός, a yoke; hence met. (a Jewish idea) of a heavy burden, comparable to the heavy yokes resting on the bullocks’ necks.
Alexander Souter, A Pocket Lexicon to the Greek New Testament (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1917), 105.
Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good) - not harsh, hard, sharp or pressing, but comfortable, gracious and pleasant; and My burden is light and easy to be borne. - Ampl.
"By these things [Taking His Yoke/Learning of Him] we find our rest, a twofold rest some commentators say, but probably they are two manifestations of the same rest - the rest of finding the Father; the rest of obeying the Father." Morgan
"A Jewish metaphor for discipline and discipleship. 'Put your neck under the yoke, and let your soul receive instruction' (Sir 51:26)." WBC, Kent
The yoke was the wooden collar that ran across the shoulders of a pair of oxen and enabled them jointly to pull enormous weights.
Michael Green, The Message of Matthew: The Kingdom of Heaven, The Bible Speaks Today (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2001), 143.
The imagery in this passage is of a “yoke” (v. 29), a heavy wooden bar that fits over the neck of an ox so that it can pull a cart or a plow. The yoke could be put on one animal or it could be shared between two animals. In a shared yoke, one of the oxen would often be much stronger than the other. The stronger ox was more schooled in the commands of the master, and so it would guide the other according to the master’s commands. By coming into the yoke with the stronger ox, the weaker ox could learn to obey the master’s voice.
David Platt, Exalting Jesus in Matthew, ed. Daniel L. Akin, David Platt, and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2013), 151–152.
A. It is a Yoke of Submission. vs. 29 - "Take my yoke upon you."
yoke -
- "a yoke, serving to couple two things together, is used (I)
metaphorically (a) of submission to authority, Mt. 11:29,30, of Christ's yoke, not
simply imparted by Him but shared with Him," Vine
"In the literal sense, a bar of wood so constructed as to unite two animals, usually oxen, enabling them to work in the fields.
Drawing loads and pulling instruments
used in farming, such as the plow, were the two chief works the yoke made possible. Archeological studies have shown that the yoke was variously constructed in different periods of history. It was commonly used all over the ancient world." Tenney - ZPBD
1. Submitting to the authority of Jesus Christ.
When we wear His yoke we are saying that we are under His authority.
Eph. 2:2 - Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.
We were under a different yoke.
"As Christ's willingness to empty Himself to the uttermost of His Father's requirements was the spring of ineffable repose to His own Spirit, so in the same track does He invite all to follow Him, with the assurance of the same experience." JFB
2. Submitting to one another.
When we ignore or try to usurp the power of His authority it will lead to our growing weary and being burdened down with cares and anxieties that will ensue.
B. It is a Yoke of Sharing. vs. 30
For my yoke is easy, and by burden is light.
ὁ γὰρ ζυγός μου χρηστὸς καὶ τὸ φορτίον μου ἐλαφρόν ἐστιν.
Note: “My yoke” - τὸν ζυγόν μου
"not simply imparted by Him but shared with Him." Vine
Our Savior tells us to take a yoke - but Himself shares it with us.
Note: The yoke of the devil is neither easy nor light.
For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good) - not harsh, hard, sharp or pressing, but comfortable, gracious and pleasant; and My burden is light and easy to be borne.
Jesus’ yoke is easy (suitable, good, reasonable), and his burden is light (easy to bear, insignificant).
Stuart K. Weber, Matthew, vol. 1, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 169.
1. An easy yoke.
Easy (χρηστὸς). Not a satisfactory rendering. Christ’s yoke is not easy in the ordinary sense of that word. The word means originally, good, serviceable. The kindred noun, χρηστότης, occurring only in Paul’s writings, is rendered kindness in 2 Cor. 6:6; Tit. 3:4; Gal. 5:22; Eph. 2:7 (Rev.), and goodness, Rom. 2:4 (Rev.). At Luke 5:39, it is used of old wine, where the true reading, instead of better, is good (χρηστός), mellowed with age. Plato (“Republic,” 424) applies the word to education. “Good nurture and education (τροφὴ γὰρ καὶ παίδευσις χρηστὴ), implant good (ἀγαθὰς) constitutions; and these good (χρησταὶ) constitutions improve more and more;” thus evidently using χρηστός and ἀγαθός as synonymous. The three meanings combine in the word, though it is impossible to find an English word which combines them all. Christ’s yoke is wholesome, serviceable, kindly. “Christ’s yoke is like feathers to a bird; not loads, but helps to motion” (Jeremy Taylor).
Marvin Richardson Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, vol. 1 (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887), 70.
easy - χρηστός, good; hence comfortable, kindly, not pressing, Mt. 11:30: often has the idea of kind
Alexander Souter, A Pocket Lexicon to the Greek New Testament (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1917), 284.
- "primarily signifies fit for use, able to be used (akin to chraomai, to
use), hence, good, virtuous,
mild, pleasant (in contrast to what is hard, harsh,
sharp, bitter), of the yoke of Christ, Matt. 11:30, 'easy' (a suitable rendering would be 'kindly);" Vine
The yoke of the world is often hard, harsh, sharp and bitter. Not so the yoke of Christ.
"To call those who are weary and heavy laden to take a yoke upon them looks like adding affliction to the afflicted; but the pertinency of it lies in the word My.
"You are under a yoke which makes you weary, shake that off and try mine, which will make you easy."
2. A light burden.
φορτίον, (a) a burden; (b) a cargo, Ac. 27:10
Alexander Souter, A Pocket Lexicon to the Greek New Testament (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1917), 277.Note: The Christian life is not without burdens.
"and my burden is light"
"and My burden is light and easy to be borne" Ampl.
If your burdens seem to be too heavy - they are not God given burdens. burden -
- "lit., something carried (from phero, to bear), is always used
metaphorically (except in Acts 27:10, of lading of a ship); of that which, though
'light,' is involved in discipleship of Christ, Matt. 11:30; of tasks imposed by the Scribes, Pharisees and lawyers, Matt. 23:4; Luke 11:46, of that which will be the result, at the Judgment-Seat of Christ, of each believer's work, Gal. 6:5.
Note:
The difference between phortion and baros is that phortion is simply something to be borne, without reference to its weight, but baros always suggests what is heavy or burdensome.
Thus Christ speaks of His burden (phortion) as
light, here baros would be inappropriate; but the burden of a transgressor is
'heavy.' Vine
light - ἐλαφρός -́ς, ἡ; (elaphros), adj. light; insignificant.
Adjective Usage
1. light† — of comparatively little physical weight or density. Sense Antonym: heavy (weight). Related Topic: Light.- "light is weight, easy to bear, is used of the burden imparted by
Christ." Vine
Ps. 55:22 - Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
"What burden did He carry? There was only one, the burden of doing God's will, the burden of obedience to the Divine command. ‘I do always the things that are pleasing to Him.' ‘My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to accomplish His work.’’' Morgan
FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints. Other times there were one set of footprints. This bothered me because I noticed that during the Low periods of my life When I was suffering from anguish, sorrow, or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints. So I said to the Lord,
"You promised me, Lord, That if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I noticed that during the most trying periods of my life There have only been one set of prints in the sand. Why, When I have needed you most, You have not been there for me?" The Lord replied, "The times when you have seen only one set of footprints Is when I carried you."
Written in 1936 by Mary Stevenson (Born 11/8/22 Died 1/6/99)
III. The Invitation to Learn. vs. 29
vs. 29 - and learn of me: for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto yours souls.
καὶ μάθετε ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ, ὅτι πραΰς εἰμι καὶ ταπεινὸς τῇ καρδίᾳ, καὶ εὑρήσετε ἀνάπαυσιν ταῖς ψυχαῖς ὑμῶν·
"and learn of Me, for I am gently (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest - relief, ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet - for your souls. [Jer. 6:16]
A. Learning of Christ.
The Christian life is a life of learning - learning of Jesus Christ. This is especially illustrated in the training of the twelve.
Note: the word learn (
) is akin to the word disciple (mathetes).
learn - μανθάνω, I learn; with adjectives or nouns, I learn to be so and so, 1 Tim. 5:13; with acc. of person who is the object of knowledge, Eph. 4:20; aor. sometimes to ascertain, Ac. 23:27, Gal. 3:2.
Alexander Souter, A Pocket Lexicon to the Greek New Testament (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1917), 151.- "denotes (a) to learn (akin to mathetes, a disciple), to increase
one's knowledge, or be increased in knowledge, frequently to learn by inquiry, or observation." Vine
That word “learn” is important—it’s similar to the word that is translated “make disciples” in the Great Commission later in Matthew (28:19). Jesus is essentially saying, “Learn what it means to be My disciple, and you will find rest for your soul.”
David Platt, Exalting Jesus in Matthew, ed. Daniel L. Akin, David Platt, and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2013), 153.
1. Learning meekness or gentleness.
πραΰς -έως, τό; (praus), adj. gentle; meek; humble. Hebrew equivalent: עָנָו (8), עָנִי (2), נחת (1), עֳנִי (1).
Adjective Usage
1. meek† — characterized by being humble, gentle, and mild.
Mt 11:29 ὅτι πραΰς εἰμι καὶ ταπεινὸς τῇ καρδίᾳ,meek - πραΰς (praus), πραεῖα (praeia), πραΰ (prau): adj.; ≡ Str 4239; TDNT 6.645—LN 88.60 gentle, meek, mild (Mt 5:5; 11:29; 21:5; 1Pe 3:4+)
James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997).- "denotes gentle, mild, meek; for its significant se the
corresponding noun"
- "It is an inwrought grace of the soul; and the exercises of
it are chiefly towards God, It is that temper of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting;"
"This meekness, however, being first of all a meekness before God, is also such in the face of men, even of evil men, out of a sense that these, with the insults
and injuries which they may inflict, are permitted and employed by Him for the chastening and purifying of His elect."
Trench - from Vine
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
2. Learning humility. Phil 2:4-11
lowly -
- "humble in spirit" Vine
"We are to learn of Christ and also to learn Christ. He is both teacher and lesson." Spurgeon
B. Learning of Christ Results in Rest.
We need to realize that meekness and humbleness lead to rest. Asserting our rights and being filled with pride lead to unrest.
"and ye shall find rest for your souls." rest -
- "cessation, refreshment, rest (ana, up, pauo, to make to
cease), the constant word in the Sept. for the Sabbath rest, is used in Matt.
11:29; here the contrast seems to be to the burdens imposed by the Pharisees.
Christ's rest is not a rest from work, but in work, 'not the rest of inactivity but of the harmonious working of all the faculties and affections - of will, heart, imagination, conscience - because each has found in God the ideal sphere for its satisfaction and development (J. Patrick, in Hastings' Bib. Dic.)."' Vine
Jesus’ quote in 11:29 from Jeremiah 6:16 (“you will find rest for your souls”) further connects this blessing to a right covenant relationship with God. In Jeremiah 6, Jerusalem was experiencing disaster as a result of its disobedience. History was about to repeat itself. Here is the immediate context of Jesus’ quote: “This is what the Lord says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it [comparable to Jesus’ “light burden”], and you will find rest for your souls [Jesus’ covenant promise]. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it’ … Hear, O earth, I am bringing disaster on this people” (Jer. 6:16–20).
Stuart K. Weber, Matthew, vol. 1, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 169.
ἀνάπαυσις -εως, ἡ; (anapausis), n. rest; relief; cessation. Hebrew equivalent: שַׁבָּתוֹן (9), מְנוּחָה (5). LTW ἀνάπαυσις (Rest).
Noun Usage
1. restful relief† — a ceasing from activity that results in a feeling of refreshing tranquility and an absence of tension or worry. Related Topics: Ease; Rest; Quietness; Resting Place; Refresh.
ἀνάπαυσις -εως, ἡ; (anapausis), n. rest; relief; cessation. Hebrew equivalent: שַׁבָּתוֹן (9), מְנוּחָה (5). LTW ἀνάπαυσις (Rest).
Noun Usage
1. restful relief† — a ceasing from activity that results in a feeling of refreshing tranquility and an absence of tension or worry.
1. Meekness leads to rest.
2. Humility leads to rest.
"It is addressed in the first instance to those upon whose backs the Pharisees were laying heavy burdens by demanding meticulous obedience not only to the law itself but to their own intricate elaborations of it." Tasker
"First, we rest by faith in Jesus, and next we rest through obedience to him."
Spurgeon
"It was His call to John when John was in difficulty about His method - Come to Me, and I will rest your perplexed spirit. It was His call to the unreasonable and unsatisfied age, to come to Him and be satisfied, by faith, and wait for the dawning light for full explanation. It was His call to the cities, rejecting, and rejected - Come to Me, and I will come back to you with healing and with blessing. It was His call to the babes - Come to Me, be obedient, and gain the light that leads you into the places of God's own wisdom." Morgan