Sun 12 Dec 2010 Year A Third Sunday in Advent
Matthew 11:2-11
Mat 11:2 He sent two of his disciples - Not because he doubted himself; but to confirm their faith. Luk_7:18.
Mat 11:3 He that is to come - The Messiah.
Mat 11:4 Go and tell John the things that ye hear and see - Which are a stronger proof of my being the Messiah, than any bare assertion can be.
Mat 11:5 The poor have the Gospel preached to them - The greatest mercy of all. Isa_29:18; Isa_35:5.
Mat 11:6 Happy is he who shall not be offended at me - Notwithstanding all these proofs that I am the Messiah.
Mat 11:7 As they departed, he said concerning John - Of whom probably he would not have said so much when they were present. A reed shaken by the wind? - No; nothing could ever shake John in the testimony he gave to the truth. The expression is proverbial.
Mat 11:8 A man clothed in soft, delicate raiment - An effeminate courtier, accustomed to fawning and flattery? You may expect to find persons of such a character in palaces; not in a wilderness.
Mat 11:9 More than a prophet - For the prophets only pointed me out afar off; but John was my immediate forerunner.
Mat 11:11 But he that is least in the kingdom of heaven, is greater than he - Which an ancient author explains thus: - "One perfect in the law, as John was, is inferior to one who is baptized into the death of Christ. For this is the kingdom of heaven, even to be buried with Christ, and to be raised up together with him. John was greater than all who had been then born of women, but he was cut off before the kingdom of heaven was given." [He seems to mean, that righteousness, peace, and joy, which constitute the present inward kingdom of heaven.] "He was blameless as to that righteousness which is by the law; but he fell short of those who are perfected by the spirit of life which is in Christ. Whosoever, therefore, is least in the kingdom of heaven, by Christian regeneration, is greater than any who has attained only the righteousness of the law, because the law maketh nothing perfect." It may farther mean, the least true Christian believer has a more perfect knowledge of Jesus Christ, of his redemption and kingdom, than John the Baptist had, who died before the full manifestation of the Gospel.
