THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
John asks about Jesus: Mt 11,2-6
John is in prison, his arrest was told in 4,12 and the story of his execution will be in chapter 14.
The traditional expectations of the Messiah could have been a political or military leader, someone powerful much as John expected in 3,11-12. The question here therefore is aksed by John in verse 3. Is Jesus really the Messiah and if so what sort of Messiah is he.
Typically, Jesus does not give an answer. Instead he points to the evidence. Unlike Luke (Lk 7,20-21), Matthew has already carefully assembled the evidence in chapters 8 and 9:
- blind: 9,27-31
- lame: 9,1-8
- lepers: 8,1-4
- deaf: 9,32-33
- dead: 9,18.25
"Preaching good news to the poor" is covered within the bracket we have seen formed by 4,23 and 9,35.
The quotations from Isaiah all anticipate these deeds done by by Jesus.
The Beatitude in Verse 6 is an appeal to John and anyone else for whom Jesus does not come up to expectations as Messiah, that he may find: "Does not find me a cause for stumbling" (RNJB). The Greek word here is the same as the English "scandalise", literally, a stumbling block. It's a favourite word for Matthew, used about seventeen times in the Gospel.
Now return so as to read what Jesus has to say about John.
Jesus speaks about John: Mt 11,7-15
In verse 7, Jesus is now speaking to the crowds. The crowds in chapter 3 were responding to a call to repentance (3,1-5) but Jesus calls them in verses 7 to 9 to look deeper.
Three times Jesus asks the crowd "what did you go out to see?" The first two answers are a contrast between a weak reed and a courtier. The real answer in verse 9 is a prophet and prophets are strong and independent.
Verse 10 then supplies the quotation from Mk 1,1 but not found in chapter 3. It ccombines Exodus 23,20 and Malachi 3,1.
Verse 11 opens with Jesus' solemn saying "Amen, I say to you". John's position is great but he goes before Jesus. Disciples of Jesus will be those who inherit the kingdom of heaven.
The violence of verse 12 refers to the violence of earthly powers rejecting God's messengers from the prophets of the Old Testament through John and Jesus to the Christian martyrs.
Jesus then makes clear the link between Elijah and John the Baptist in verse 14. This will be seen again in 17,13.
Verse 15 concludes with a summary and a call to open ears. Rejection comes from those who refuse to hear. Both Isaiah and Jeremiah make the point about the people's refusal to hear (Is 6,9); "you foolish and senseless people" (Jer 5,21).
Now return to continue our reading.