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G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Matthew 11:1-30

This picture of John is very full of pathos-from the high triumph of inspired preaching to the solitude and loneliness of a prison. John made as direct application to Jesus as his circumstances permitted. Surely the wisest course possible. Jesus answered him not by verbal assurance, but by the deeds of the Kingdom. The credentials of Christ are ever to be found in His actual works. The fickleness and worthlessness of public opinion has striking exemplification here. In the ordinary manner of... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 11:20

‘Then he began to upbraid the cities in which most of his mighty works were done, because they did not repent.’ Note here the difference between His approach to John and His approach to these people. To the seeking heart of John He had pointed to His works with a promise of blessing (Matthew 11:5-6), but to these people whose hearts were hardened He pointed to His works with a promise of judgment. His words did, of course, still contain within them an offer of mercy. It was still not too late... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 11:20-24

Jesus Castigates His Local Towns For Their Failure To Repent In View Of The Fact That They Too Have Seen The Messianic Signs, But Without Responding (11:20-24). In this chapter Jesus has already been faced with two examples of men’s attitudes towards Him, the puzzlement of John, whose heart was right towards God, and was genuine in its search for truth, even though he could not understand His ways, and the childishness of the people, whose hearts were not right towards anyone, whose attitude... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 11:20-24

Matthew 11:20-Jeremiah : . Woe to Unbelieving Cities ( Luke 10:13-Nehemiah :; in the address to the Seventy). We should rather have expected to find this passage in Matthew 10. Some scholars regard the denunciation as the product of a later generation rather than an utterance of Jesus. The Galilean cities had been comparatively receptive of His teaching, and it is not like Him to make miracles the basis of faith. Note, too, the contrast with the gentleness of Matthew 11:29. Still the passage... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Matthew 11:20

Our Lord had hitherto spent most of his time in Galilee, and the cities belonging to that province: there both John the Baptist and himself had preached the gospel, there he had wrought many miracles, by both aiming at their repentance; but there were multitudes that did not receive him, nor would be brought to any sight of their sins, or any acknowledgment of him as the Messias. He now begins to reprove them smartly, not that they did not applaud and commend him, but because they did not... read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Matthew 11:20-24

CRITICAL NOTESMatthew 11:21. Sackcloth and ashes.—In the East, it was common for mourners to put on a black garment which resembled a sack, with holes for the arms, and to strew ashes upon the head. The symbol of mourning and of repentance (Lange).Matthew 11:23. Hell.—Hades (R.V.), denotes a far-down subterranean region and so used figuratively to express a position of the utmost abasement (Wendt). The antithesis of heaven; the lowest as contrasted with the highest position (Mansel).MAIN... read more

C.I. Scofield

Scofield's Reference Notes - Matthew 11:20

Then The kingdom of heaven announced as "at hand" by John the Baptist, by the King Himself, and by the twelve, and attested by mighty works, has been morally rejected. The places chosen for the testing of the nation, Chorazin, Bethsaida, etc. having rejected both John and Jesus, the rejected King now speaks of judgment. The final official rejection is later. Matthew 27:31-37. For Another Point of View: See Topic 301190 For Additional Factors See Topic 301199 read more

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - Matthew 11:1-30

Chapter 11Now it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of these commandments, he departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities ( Matthew 11:1 ).So He sent them out in front of them, and then He departed and was following up now, and coming into the cities. They were sort of the advance men for Him to go out in advance.Now when John had heard in prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and he said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?... read more

Joseph Sutcliffe

Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 11:1-30

Matthew 11:3 . Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another. Brevity here is connected with obscurity. John could not doubt, after seeing the glory, and hearing the voice from heaven. The main object seems to be, to transfer his disciples to the pastoral care of Christ, as well as to obtain fresh support of faith in the time of trouble. Matthew 11:4 . Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see. Unfold to him the accomplishment of all the glorious works... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Matthew 11:20-24

Matthew 11:20-24Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsatda!The damnation under the gospel more intolerable than that of SodomI.There shall be a day of judgment.II. In the day of judgement some sinners shall fare worse than others.III. In the day of judgment there will de a distribution of sinners; punishments according to the exact rules of justice.IV. In the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for Sodom than Capernaum. These two cities may be considered under a threefold... read more

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