Matthew 11:1 - Exposition

Matthew only. And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end. The same formula recurs in Matthew 7:28 ; Matthew 13:53 ; Matthew 19:1 ; Matthew 26:1 . In all five cases it marks the end of important speeches.

Of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence. Whence? We have no knowledge. Perhaps the place had been named in the original context, from which the discourse was derived. Matthew 9:35 suggests that it was some place on his journey (cf. Alford), hut our verse in itself implies rather some fixed centre of work, e.g. Capernaum. To teach and to preach in their cities . If he ceases to speak at length, it is that he may begin more aggressive work (cf. Matthew 7:28 , Matthew 7:29 ; Matthew 13:53 , Matthew 13:54 ). Their. It is hardly by accident that the word recurs, with the same reference, as it seems, to the Jews generally, in the passages just quoted (cf. Matthew 12:9 , note).