John the Baptist played a key role in the transition from the old era, which was the Law and the Prophets, to the new era of the Kingdom of God.
Three times, Jesus asked the question, “What did you go out to see?” Each question has a suggested answer posed in the form of a new question.
As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind?” (Matthew 11.7).
Jesus’s listeners were familiar with the tall cane grass that grew along the shores of the Jordan River. John was not like that grass that blew, suggesting weakness or vacillation on important topics.
John also wasn’t like King Herod, who had a coin minted showing him holding a reed.
John wasn’t dressed in fine clothes, like those of the king and the visitors at his palace.
“What, then, did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces” (Matthew 11.8).
The people didn’t go out to see a king, but a prophet. In fact, he looked and sounded like the kind of prophet that Israel had not seen for generations.
“What, then, did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet” (Matthew 11.9).
Who is John?
Jesus evaluated John by identifying him as the one promised by the Scriptures (Malachi 3.1) to precede the coming of the Messiah.
This is the one about whom it is written,
‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’” (Matthew 11.10)
John is a prophet like those of the past, but more than a prophet. He is the one who fulfills the prophecy of Malachi and is at the turning point of the ages.
See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes (Malachi 4.5).
From a human point of view, no one greater than John has ever been born.
“Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist, yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (Matthew 11.11).
The last statement is not a contrast between individuals, but between eras. John has great merit, but the issue has to do not with his merit, but with the incomparable greatness of the Kingdom of God.
A Difficult Passage
I have struggled to understand Jesus’ statement in verse 12 for many years. I’m not alone. Scholars are divided about how to best interpret what Jesus had to say about the kingdom of heaven suffering violence.
“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and violent people take it by force” (Matthew 11.12).
Donald Hagner’s commentary covers the various options for understanding Jesus’ words. I appreciate his interpretation.
This statement is made in the context of John the Baptist. John is included in this passage with those of the kingdom who suffer. Later on in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus again refers to John, and he has this to say.
“I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but they did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man is about to suffer at their hands” (Matthew 17:12).
This is Hagner’s summary: For all of its greatness, the kingdom of God suffers violence, and violent humans plunder it. The kingdom of God involves suffering.
Jesus concludes His message by stating that the Old Testament writings are now brought to fulfillment in John.
“For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John came, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. Let anyone with ears listen!” (Matthew 11.13-15).
The Law and the Prophets bear witness to Jesus. John is a transition to the new and is also included with the new. The point is that a key turning point has been reached, marking off the old from the new.
John functions in the role that was ascribed to Elijah just preceding the end time.
Jesus points out the need for faith because everything he’s doing doesn’t exactly line up with the expectations of the people concerning the Messiah.
We have to have open hearts and ears to his message, both then and now.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 