Matthew 11:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.

NIV: From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it.

NASB: And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been treated violently, and violent men take it by force.

CSB: From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been suffering violence, and the violent have been seizing it by force.

NLT: And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it.

KJV: And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

NKJV: And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

Not all phrases are easy to translate into other languages. This verse represents a difficult concept to understand, and commentators offer several possible explanations of what Jesus meant. He has just said that John is the greatest person ever born, but that the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is (Matthew 11:11).

The key phrase here, in the original Greek, is hē basileia tōn ouranōn biazetai, kai biastai harpazousin autēn. Most English translations follow the pattern of the ESV: "the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force." Other translations, such as the NLT, render this as "the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it." The NASB adds some subtlety by noting, in footnotes, that these phrases can also be translated "is forcibly entered," and "seize it for themselves," respectively.

Jesus' reference to the days of John the Baptist likely means the time of John's ministry before he was imprisoned (Matthew 4:12). "Now," in this context, would then mean that moment in Jesus' ministry of introducing the kingdom of heaven.

The most direct meaning of these words seems to be that when Jesus began His public ministry, the kingdom of heaven was beginning on earth in the form of Jesus and His followers. But great opposition has risen up against heaven's kingdom in the form of men like Herod—who imprisoned John the Baptist—and the Jewish religious leaders.

Another possible meaning is that Jesus is speaking about the perversion of truth committed by His critics and opponents. In other words, a right understanding of the kingdom had been attacked. People had the wrong idea about what the kingdom of heaven really was. That's why John the Baptist asked if Jesus was really the Messiah. In that sense, then, Jesus would be saying that violent men are insisting the kingdom must be a political kingdom that begins by overthrowing the Romans. Jesus did not come to earth to do that.

Matthew 11:1–19 deals with John the Baptist, who is in prison at this point (Matthew 4:12). John sends his own disciples to ask if Jesus is really the Messiah. Jesus gives them an answer and then upholds John to the crowds. He reminds them of John's strength and affirms that John was the prophet who fulfilled the prophecy about the one who would prepare the way for the Messiah. This generation, though, rejected John's message of repentance, saying that John had a demon and that Jesus was a glutton and a drunkard. Jesus insists He and John will be proved right in the end.

John the Baptist sends his disciples to ask if Jesus is really the Messiah. Jesus gives them a specific answer to use to reassure John and then upholds John to the crowds. John fulfills the prophecy about the one who would prepare the people for the Messiah. This generation, though, refused to hear John or Jesus, deciding John had a demon and Jesus was a glutton and drunkard. Jesus condemns the cities that refuse to repent and thanks the Father for revealing the truth to little children. He offers rest for those who are weary and burdened.

Matthew 11 follows Jesus' instructions to the apostles about taking His message and miracles to the towns of Israel with His own continued ministry of teaching (Matthew 10). Jesus answers a question from John the Baptist's followers, and upholds John's ministry. Jesus condemns several cities in Galilee for rejecting His teaching, despite obvious signs. He thanks His Father for hiding the truth from those who arrogantly think they are wise. He offers rest for those who will take His yoke. This leads to further confrontations with critics, recorded in chapter 12.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.