Matthew 11:12 · Clearspring

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Other translations

WEBBE

From the days of John the Baptiser until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

BSB

From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence, and the violent lay claim to 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.

ASV

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

BBE

And from the days of John the Baptist till now, the kingdom of heaven is forcing its way in, and men of force take it.

Original Greek

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ἀπὸ apo From G575 δὲ de then G1161 τῶν tōn the G3588 ἡμερῶν hēmerōn days G2250 Ἰωάννου Iōannou of John G2491 τοῦ tou the G3588 βαπτιστοῦ baptistou Baptist G910 ἕως he'ōs until G2193 ἄρτι arti now G737 ἡ hē the G3588 βασιλεία basileia kingdom G932 τῶν tōn of the G3588 οὐρανῶν ouranōn heavens G3772 βιάζεται biazetai is taken by violence G971 καὶ kai and [the] G2532 βιασταὶ biastai violent G973 ἁρπάζουσιν harpazousin claim G726 αὐτήν autēn it G846

The early church

Otherwise; The Lord bade His Apostles go to the lost sheep of Israel, but all their preaching conveyed profit to the publicans and sinners. Therefore the kingdom suffers violence, and the violent take it by force, for the glory of Israel, due to the Fathers, foretold by the Prophets, offered by Christ, is entered and held by force by the might of the Gentiles.

Hilary of Poitiers · d. 367Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)

"And from the days of John the Baptist," saith He, "until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." And what sort of connexion may this have with what was said before? Much, assuredly, and in full accordance therewith. Yea, by this topic also He proceeds to urge and press them into the faith of Himself; and at the same time likewise, He is speaking in agreement with what had been before said by John. "For if all things are fulfilled even down to John, I am He that should come." "For all the prophets," saith He, "and the law prophesied until John." For the prophets would not have ceased, unless I were come. Expect therefore nothing further, neither wait for any one else. For that I am He is manifest both from the prophets ceasing, and from those that every day "take by force" the faith that is in me. For so manifest is it and certain, that many even take it by force. Why, who hath so taken it? tell me. All who approach it with earnestness of mind.

John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Matthew

Because John the Baptist was the first who preached repentance to the people, saying, Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand: rightly therefore from that day forth it may be said, that the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. For great indeed is the violence, when we who are born of earth, seek an abode in heaven, and obtain by excellence what we have not by nature.

Jerome · d. 420Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)

(Hom. in Ev. xx. 14.) By the kingdom of heaven is meant the heavenly throne, whither when sinners defiled with any evil deed return in penitence, and amend themselves, they enter as sinners into the place of another, and take by violence the kingdom of heaven.

Gregory the Dialogist · d. 604Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)

(non occ.) That what He had last said should not lead any to suppose that John was an alien from the kingdom of heaven, He corrects this by adding, From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

Glossa Ordinaria · d. 1274Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 7–15

What Christ said concerning John, was not only for his praise, but for the people's profit. Those who attend on the word will be called to give an account of their improvements. Do we think when the sermon is done, the care is over? No, then the greatest of the care begins. John was a self-denying man, dead to all the pomps of the world and the pleasures of sense. It becomes people, in all their appearances, to be consistent with their character and their situation. John was a great and good man, yet not perfect; therefore he came short of glorified saints. The least in heaven knows more, loves more, and does more in praising God, and receives more from him, than the greatest in this world. But by the kingdom of heaven here, is rather to be understood the kingdom of grace, the gospel dispensation in its power and purity. What reason we have to be thankful that our lot is cast in the days of the kingdom of heaven, under such advantages of light and love! Multitudes were wrought upon by the ministry of John, and became his disciples. And those strove for a place in this kingdom, that one would think had no right nor title to it, and so seemed to be intruders. It shows us what fervency and zeal are required of all. Self must be denied; the bent, the frame and temper of the mind must be altered. Those who will have an interest in the great salvation, will have it upon any terms, and not think them hard, nor quit their hold without a blessing. The things of God are of great and common concern. God requires no more from us than the right use of the faculties he has given us. People are ignorant, because they will not learn.

Read Matthew Henry on Matthew 11 →

Parallel passages

1

The same words or events elsewhere.

Luke 16:16

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8

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John