Notes on Matthew 10:24-11:25

A disciple is not greater than his teacher - Matthew 10:24

A disciple is not greater than his teacher. A theme throughout this teaching block (Matt. 10:1-42) is that suffering will come through being faithful witnesses for God (cf. Matt. 5:10-12). This was true of Jesus so the disciples should not be surprised that it will also be true for them (and all subsequent disciples; 2 Tim. 3:12) who are following his ways and becoming like him.

Beelzebub - Matthew 10:25

Beelzebub. This was a name given to the prince of demons, which the Pharisees accuse Jesus of being (Matt. 9:34; 12:24-27). Its origins are probably from the Hebrew expression for "lord of the flies/dung" or "prince Baal."

Your Father - Matthew 10:29

Without your Father's knowledge. Jesus regularly taught that his disciples have a familial/father-child relationship with God (Matt. 5:45, 48; 6:9; 23:9). This is the basis for confidence in his care in even the direst of situations of persecution and need (cf. Matt. 6:25-34).

Not peace, but a sword - Matthew 10:34

I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. Jesus was not saying he was contentious or promoting war (see Matt. 5:3-9; 11:28-30). The "sword" that he brought is one that splits the world into two parts — those who believe and those who do not.

Are you the one? - Matthew 11:3

Are you the one who is coming? The Jewish people of this day were hoping that God would finally send the Messiah to rescue them from oppression and restore the kingdom of God on earth. John the Baptist recognized that Jesus was sent from God (Matt. 3:13-15) but Jesus' ministry was not what John expected from the Messiah. Instead of immediately bringing in the kingdom of God, Jesus was welcoming Gentiles and John was suffering in prison. Jesus did not condemn John but encouraged him to continue to believe (Matt. 11:6).

The Blind - Matthew 11:5

Blind people are receiving sight … This verse comes from a collection of various prophecies in Isaiah about the Messianic age when the kingdom comes and God restores his people. It also serves as a perfect summary of the stories of Jesus' power that Matthew collected together in chapters 8–9.

The Greatness of John the Baptist and the Greater Son of Man - Matthew 11:7-19

Jesus gave John the Baptist the highest praise possible as the last and greatest prophet sent by God before the kingdom of God comes through the Messiah (Matt. 11:11). At the same time, Jesus teaches that in the new age of the kingdom there is something even greater — anyone identified with Jesus is in the greatest position in the world because he is the greatest. See WLC 141.

Woe on Unrepentant Cities - Matthew 11:20-24

Because Jesus is God's herald and agent of the kingdom of heaven and because he performed many clear signs, Jesus said that anyone who did not repent (Matt. 3:2; 4:17) was worse than the Gentile cities of Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom (cf. Matt. 10:15). See WCF 3.2; WLC 151; BC 37; CD 1.IX.

Lord of heaven and earth – Matthew 11:25

Father, Lord of heaven and earth. Jesus affirmed that his Father is the true God and Lord of all creation.

Concealed from the wise – Matthew 11:25

You concealed these things from the wise and understanding. Religious position or education does not put anyone in greater standing with God. Apart from God revealing himself to people, no one can understand him (1 Cor. 2:1-16). See BC 27.

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