Here’s how the study works: Read the chapter mentioned in the heading several times during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for a chapter creates the opportunity to reread it several times and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
v.3 “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
John the Baptist was having doubts about Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah. Understandable when you are sitting in prison. However Jesus encouraged him to listen to the disciples’ reports of “what you hear and see”. Jesus did not correct John’s concept of the kingdom, it was just the things John was expecting (Jesus to be instigated as king) were for a future time.
v.3 “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
John the Baptist was having doubts about Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah. Understandable when you are sitting in prison. However Jesus encouraged him to listen to the disciples’ reports of “what you hear and see”. Jesus did not correct John’s concept of the kingdom, it was just the things John was expecting (Jesus to be instigated as king) were for a future time.
v.12 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.
As soon as John began preaching he met opposition. The Jewish religious leaders now opposed Jesus and wanted to bring in the kingdom on their terms – by strictly observing all the laws and rituals. By rejecting Jesus they prevented people from entering the kingdom.
v.12 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.
As soon as John began preaching he met opposition. The Jewish religious leaders now opposed Jesus and wanted to bring in the kingdom on their terms – by strictly observing all the laws and rituals. By rejecting Jesus they prevented people from entering the kingdom.
v.14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.
(From Constable’s commentary) "There is scarcely a passage in Scripture which shows more
clearly that the kingdom was being offered to Israel at this time."
v.14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.
(From Constable’s commentary) "There is scarcely a passage in Scripture which shows more
clearly that the kingdom was being offered to Israel at this time."
v.25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
God shows mercy by revealing truth to little children – the dependant and helpless. But it is also mercy to hide truth from the wise and learned – the proud since God will judge people based on their response to the truth they have been given.
v.25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
God shows mercy by revealing truth to little children – the dependant and helpless. But it is also mercy to hide truth from the wise and learned – the proud since God will judge people based on their response to the truth they have been given.
v.28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
“Come” – it requires humility to come. “Give you rest” – requires trust to accept God’s rest.
“Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.” MSG
v.28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
“Come” – it requires humility to come. “Give you rest” – requires trust to accept God’s rest.
“Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.” MSG
v.21-22 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
God is a just God and will take into consideration the opportunity people have had.
(From Constable’s commentary) "This passage vividly illustrates the simple truth that the greater the revelation, the greater the accountability."
v.21-22 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
God is a just God and will take into consideration the opportunity people have had.
(From Constable’s commentary) "This passage vividly illustrates the simple truth that the greater the revelation, the greater the accountability."