---
title: "Bullinger"
description: "Jesus. App-98 .  preach = proclaim. App-121 . Continuing His mission (Matthew 4:17 ).  heard in the prison. John"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes/matthew/11"
---

**Jesus.** App-98 .
**preach** = proclaim. App-121 . Continuing His mission ([Matthew 4:17](../../../kjv/matthew/4/17) ).

**heard in the prison.** John's arrest had been mentioned in [Matthew 4:12](../../../kjv/matthew/4/12) .
**Christ** = the Messiah. See App-98 .
**he sent.** Greek. *pempo.* Sent as envoys. See notes on [Luke 7:3](../../../kjv/luke/7/3) and [Luke 7:6](../../../kjv/luke/7/6) . This is not the same mission as that in [Luke 7](../../../kjv/luke/7) .
(1) In this (the former) no number of those sent is given (see note on "two" below): in the latter there were "two" ([Luke 7:19](../../../kjv/luke/7/19) ). The antecedents and consequents are different.
(2) In the former, the Twelve had just been appointed, which may have raised questions in John's mind; in the latter, the antecedent was the raising of the widow's son, *before* the calling of the Twelve.
(3) In the former case, the Lord called them to see and note what He *was then doing,* "which ye are hearing and seeing" ([Matthew 11:4](../../../kjv/matthew/11/4) ).
(NB., the tenses are all *Present.* See [Matthew 11:5](../../../kjv/matthew/11/5) .) In the latter case, they are to te11 John "what ye have seen and heard" ([Matthew 11:22](../../../kjv/matthew/11/22) ). The consequents are *repetitions* suited to the different circumstances. See App-97 .
**two.** All the texts read *dia* = by means of ( App-104 .[Matthew 11:1](../../../kjv/matthew/11/1); [Matthew 11:1](../../../kjv/matthew/11/1) ), instead of *duo* = two, as in [Luke 7:18](../../../kjv/luke/7/18) .

**He That should come** = He Who cometh, or the corning One: i.e. He Who was expected to come. Compare [Matthew 3:11](../../../kjv/matthew/3/11) ; [Matthew 21:9](../../../kjv/matthew/21/9) ; [Matthew 23:39](../../../kjv/matthew/23/39) . [John 3:31](../../../kjv/john/3/31) .[Psalms 118:26](../../../kjv/psalms/118/26) . [Genesis 49:10](../../../kjv/genesis/49/10) . [Isaiah 35:4](../../../kjv/isaiah/35/4) .[Ezekiel 21:27](../../../kjv/ezekiel/21/27) . [Zechariah 9:9](../../../kjv/zechariah/9/9) .
**do we look for** = are we to expect.
**another** = a different [one].

**Jesus** = And Jesus. App-98 .
**answered and said.** A Hebraism. See note on [Deuteronomy 1:41](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/1/41) .
**shew** = report.
**again.** Not in the Greek. in [Matthew 11:7-8](../../../kjv/matthew/11/7-8) .

**The blind** = Blind (no Art. in this verse, because only some of each kind are meant. Not all the blind, &c.) These were the miracles foretold of Him ([Isaiah 35:5](../../../kjv/isaiah/35/5) , [Isaiah 35:6](../../../kjv/isaiah/35/6) ; [Isaiah 61:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/61/1) ). No others ( *qua,* miracles) would have sufficed as His credentials.
**the dead** = dead (persons). No Art. See App-139 .
**raised up** = raised to life.
**have the gospel preached to them.** This is one word in the Greek ( *euangelizo* ) = are told the good news or glad tidings ([Isaiah 61:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/61/1) ).

**blessed** = happy. See note on [Matthew 5:3](../../../kjv/matthew/5/3) .
**not be offended** = find nothing to stumble at.
**Me:** i.e. in My Person, My teachings, My grace, &c.; as many did. Compare [Luke 4:22](../../../kjv/luke/4/22) with [Luke 4:28](../../../kjv/luke/4/28) .

**departed** = were going forward. See note on [Matthew 11:1](../../../kjv/matthew/11/1) .
**concerning.** Greek. *peri* . App-104 .
**What . . . ?** Figure of speech *Erotesis* , and *Anaphora.* See verses: [Matthew 8:9](../../../kjv/matthew/8/9) .
**to see** = to gaze on. Greek. *theaomai.* App-133 .
**with** = by. Greek. *hupo.* App-104 .

**for to see** = to see. Greek. *eidon.* App-133 .
**soft raiment** = soft, or effeminate [raiment]. Mantles are meant, made of silk or linen, as worn by the *effendis* or gentry, in the East, to-day.
**behold.** Figure of speech *Asterismos.* App-6 .

**prophet.** See App-49 .
**more than** = far more than.

**of** = concerning. Greek. *peri* , as in [Matthew 11:7](../../../kjv/matthew/11/7) .
**it is written** = it standeth written.
**I send, &c.** Quoted from [Malachi 3:1](../../../kjv/malachi/3/1) . See App-107 and App-117 . Compare [Mark 1:2](../../../kjv/mark/1/2) .[Luke 1:17](../../../kjv/luke/1/17) , [Luke 1:76](../../../kjv/luke/1/76) ; [Luke 7:27](../../../kjv/luke/7/27) .
**messenger** = angel. Greek. *angelos.*

**Verily.** See note on [Matthew 5:18](../../../kjv/matthew/5/18) .
**Among.** Greek. *en* with plural
**born of women** = brought forth by women (see note on [Matthew 1:2](../../../kjv/matthew/1/2) , [Matthew 1:16](../../../kjv/matthew/1/16) , [Matthew 1:18](../../../kjv/matthew/1/18) ). A Hebraism ( *yelud 'ishshah)* . See [Job 14:1](../../../kjv/job/14/1) ; [Job 15:14](../../../kjv/job/15/14) ; [Job 25:4](../../../kjv/job/25/4) .
**least** = less: i.e. younger, meaning Himself.
**the kingdom.** John was only proclaiming it (but not "in" it). The kingdom was rejected both as announced by John ([Matthew 3:2](../../../kjv/matthew/3/2) ), by Christ ([Matthew 4:17](../../../kjv/matthew/4/17) ), and by Peter ([Acts 2:38](../../../kjv/acts/2/38) ; [Acts 3:19-26](../../../kjv/acts/3/19-26) ); and, since its final rejection in [Acts 28:25](../../../kjv/acts/28/25) , [Acts 28:26](../../../kjv/acts/28/26) , is postponed, and is now in abeyance. See [Hebrews 2:8](../../../kjv/hebrews/2/8) ("not yet"). The possessor is greater than the proclaimer.
**the kingdom of heaven.** See App-114 .
**heaven** = the heavens (plural)
**he:** i.e. John.

**And** = But.
**suffereth violence** = forceth itself upon men's attention. Greek. *biazomai.* Occurs only here and [Luke 16:16](../../../kjv/luke/16/16) . Supposed to be only passive (as rendered here), but this agrees neither with the facts nor with the context. Deissmann ( *Bib. Stud.,* p. 258) tells of the discovery of an inscription of Xanthus the Lycian, found near Sunium (E. Attica), containing the regulations as to approaching the healing divinity of the sanctuary of *Men Tyrannos:* "If any one *forces himself in,* his offering was not acceptable. "Those who fulfilled the conditions had the founder's good wishes. This last clause is conclusive and agrees with [Luke 16:16](../../../kjv/luke/16/16) .
**the violent** = forceful ones. No Art. Greek. *biastes.* Occurs only here.
**take it by force** = lay hold of it.

**all the prophets.** See [Acts 3:21](../../../kjv/acts/3/21) .
**the law.** See note on [Matthew 5:17](../../../kjv/matthew/5/17) .
**until John.** And all would have been fulfilled then had the nation repented.

**if, &c.** Assuming it as a fact. See App-118 ., as in verses: [Matthew 11:21](../../../kjv/matthew/11/21) , [Matthew 11:23](../../../kjv/matthew/11/23) .
**will** = are willing. Greek. *thelo.*
**receive** = to receive. Compare [Acts 2:41](../../../kjv/acts/2/41) .
**this is** = he represents. Had the nation repented, John would have been reckoned as Elijah.
**is** = represents. Figure of speech *Metaphor.* App-6 .
**Elias** = Elijah.
**was for to come** = is about to come. See [Malachi 4:5](../../../kjv/malachi/4/5) , and [Luke 1:17](../../../kjv/luke/1/17) .

**He that hath ears to hear.** A Hebraism. Figure of speech *Polyptoton.* App-6 . Used only by the Lord, and marking a dispensational crisis (as this was) on fourteen different occasions. See App-142 .

**this generation?** A significant expression, occurring sixteen times ([Matthew 11:16](../../../kjv/matthew/11/16) ; [Matthew 12:41](../../../kjv/matthew/12/41) , [Matthew 12:42](../../../kjv/matthew/12/42) ; [Matthew 23:36](../../../kjv/matthew/23/36) ; [Matthew 24:34](../../../kjv/matthew/24/34) .[Mark 8:12](../../../kjv/mark/8/12) , [Mark 8:12](../../../kjv/mark/8/12) ; [Mark 13:30](../../../kjv/mark/13/30) . [Luke 7:31](../../../kjv/luke/7/31) ; [Luke 11:30](../../../kjv/luke/11/30) , [Luke 11:31](../../../kjv/luke/11/31) , [Luke 11:32](../../../kjv/luke/11/32) , [Luke 11:50](../../../kjv/luke/11/50) , [Luke 11:51](../../../kjv/luke/11/51) ; [Luke 17:25](../../../kjv/luke/17/25) ; [Luke 21:32](../../../kjv/luke/21/32) ). Characterized by other epithets, "evil" and "adulterous" ([Matthew 12:39](../../../kjv/matthew/12/39) , [Matthew 12:45](../../../kjv/matthew/12/45) ; [Matthew 16:4](../../../kjv/matthew/16/4) .[Mark 8:38](../../../kjv/mark/8/38) . [Luke 11:29](../../../kjv/luke/11/29) ); "faithless and perverse" ([Matthew 17:17](../../../kjv/matthew/17/17) . [Mark 9:19](../../../kjv/mark/9/19) . [Luke 9:41](../../../kjv/luke/9/41) ); "untoward" ([Acts 2:40](../../../kjv/acts/2/40) ). All this because it was the particular generation that rejected the Messiah.
**children** = little children. Dim. of *pais* . App-108 .
**fellows** = companions. Greek. *hetairos.* Some of the texts read "others" (i.e. *heteros* for *hetairos)* . Occurs only here; [Matthew 20:13](../../../kjv/matthew/20/13) ; [Matthew 22:12](../../../kjv/matthew/22/12) ; and [Matthew 26:50](../../../kjv/matthew/26/50) ("friend").

**have not** = did not. danced . . . lamented. Figure of speech *Paronomasia* ( App-6 ) in the Greek *orchesasthe . . . ekopsasthe* ; but Figure of speech *Parechesis,* also in Ararnaic = *rakkedton . . . arkkedton.* In Eng. "ye did not leap . . . did not weep"; or "stept not . . . wept not". A common custom to this day; such response on the part of the audience being greatly appreciated.

**came.** In the Greek this is the Figure of speech *Hyperbaton* (put out of its place by commencing the verse), causing the Figure of speech *Anaphora* ( App-6 ).
**eating nor drinking.** Supply the *Ellipsis* , eating nor drinking [with others].
**devil** = demon.

**The Son of Man.** See App-98 .
**winebibber** = drinking to excess.
**publicans and sinners.** See notes on [Matthew 5:46](../../../kjv/matthew/5/46) ; [Matthew 9:10](../../../kjv/matthew/9/10) .
**But** = And: i.e. And [for all that] Wisdom was [in each case] vindicated by her children; so with Messiah (the Wisdom of God. [1 Corinthians 1:24](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/1/24) , [1 Corinthians 1:30](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/1/30) . Compare [Matthew 23:34](../../../kjv/matthew/23/34) with [Luke 11:49](../../../kjv/luke/11/49) ).
**of** = by. Greek. *apo.* App-104 .
**children.** App-108 . Tr. reads "work".

**Then.** Marking another stage of His rejection. Figure of speech *Chronographia.*
**cities.** Put by Figure of speech *Metonymy* (of Subject) for their inhabitants. App-6 .
**wherein** = in which. Greek. *en* , as in [Matthew 11:1](../../../kjv/matthew/11/1) .
**mighty works.** Greek plural of *dunamis* ( App-172 .) See note on [John 2:18](../../../kjv/john/2/18) .
**were done** = had taken place.
**repented.** Greek. *metanoeo.* App-111 .

**Woe, &c.** Figure of speech *Maledictio.* App-6 . A testimony as to His rejection.
**Chorazin.** Not named elsewhere, and no miracles recorded as performed there, or at Bethsaida. See App-169 .
**been done** = taken place.
**Tyre and Sidon.** No mention of the Lord's having been there.
**Tyre.** Now *es Sur.*
**Sidon.** The Zidon of the O.T.; now *Saida,* twenty-five miles south of *Beirout.*

**at** = in, as in [Matthew 11:1](../../../kjv/matthew/11/1) .
**the day, &c.** Now drawing near. See note on [Matthew 16:23](../../../kjv/matthew/16/23) .

**Capernaum.** See note on [Matthew 4:13](../../../kjv/matthew/4/13) , and App-169 .
**art** = wast.
**heaven** = the heaven. Sing, because in contrast with the earth. See note on [Matthew 6:9](../../../kjv/matthew/6/9) , [Matthew 6:10](../../../kjv/matthew/6/10) .
**hell.** Gr *. Hades.* See App-131 .

**that time.** Of His rejection. Figure of speech *Chronographia* ( App-6 ), emphasizing the lesson.
**time** = season.
**answered and said** = prayed and said. A Hebraism. See note on [Deuteronomy 1:41](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/1/41) .
**I thank Thee** = I openly confess to Thee.
**Father.** See App-98 .
**earth** = the earth. App-129 .
**hast hid** = didst hide.
**the wise** = wise ones (no Art.)
**prudent** = prudent ones: i.e. in their own eyes.

**seemed good** = became well-pleasing. Occurs with *ginomai,* only here and [Luke 10:21](../../../kjv/luke/10/21) .

**are delivered** = were [at some definite time] delivered.
**of** = by. Greek. *hupo.*
**No man** = no one. Greek. *odes,* or compound of. App-105 .
**knoweth** = fully knoweth.
**will reveal** = intendeth (Greek. *boulomai)* to reveal.
**reveal** = unveil. Greek. *apokalupto.*

**Come, &c.** Here Christ refers, not to sins, but to service; not to guilt, but to labour; not to the conscience, but to the heart; not to repentance, but to learning; not to finding forgiveness, but to finding rest.
**all.** Here limited to those seeking "rest".
**labour** = toil.
**heavy laden** = burdened.
**give.** His rest is *given.* Ours must be found in His gift. We have none to give.

**your souls** = your own selves (emph.)

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