Matthew 11:20-30 study

Matthew 11:20-30

Verses 20-24

20 Then He began to reprimand the cities in which the majority of His deeds of power had been done, because they did not repent: 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you Bethsaida! Because if the deeds of power which took place in you had taken place in Tyre and Sidon, long ago they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes. 22 Nevertheless, I say to you, for Tyre and Sidon it will be more bearable on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, you will not be lifted up as far as heaven, will you? No, you will descend[1] as far as Hades. Because if the deeds of power which took place in you had taken place in Sodom, it would have remained until today. 24 Nevertheless, I say to you that for the land of Sodom it will be more bearable on the day of judgment than for you.

[1] Even though many translations prefer the passive verb “be brought ” here, the Greek is in the middle voice, which implies that this consequence is something they have brought upon themselves. By refusing to receive Jesus, they are guaranteeing their descent to Hades. Though God is certainly sovereign over this action, the focus is on the fact that they are doing this to themselves.

v. 23 may be a direct allusion to Isaiah 14:13-15. The LXX uses some of the same words and phrases.

These are strong statements about the sovereignty of God. God knows what it would take to get people to repent, and sometimes He does those things and other times He chooses not to.

Verses 25-27

25 At that time Jesus answered and said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of Heaven and of earth, because you hid these things from wise and intelligent people, and You revealed them instead to infants. 26 Yes, Father, because in this way, good pleasure was brought about[2] before You. 27 All things were handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, nor does anyone know the Father except the Son and the one to whom the Son desires to reveal Him.

[2] Or, “there was good pleasure before You.” The Greek is unclear whether God the Father is the One experiencing the good pleasure, or if the good pleasure is taking place in His presence (perhaps by angels?), brought about by the salvation of the lowly (see Luke 15:7, 10).

v. 25 may allude to Daniel 2:23.

v. 27: see Daniel 7:14.

Verses 28-30

28 Come to Me, all you who are working hard and have been forced to carry burdens, and I will cause you to rest. 29 Lift up My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, because I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke causes no discomfort and My burden is not heavy.

v. 29: rest — see Ex 33:14; Jer 6:16; 31:25; Gen 2:2-3; Heb 4:1-11.

Connecting Scripture New Testament Chapter 11

Jesus’s invitation is a mixed allusion in typological fulfillment of