A Holy Violence
Matthew 11:2-12
“Now while in prison, John heard about the works of Christ, and he sent word by his disciples, and said to him, “Are you the coming one, or are we to look for someone else?” Jesus answered and said to them “Go report to John what you hear and see: those who are blind receive sight and those who limp walk, those with leprosy are cleansed and those who are deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.” And blessed is any person who does not take offence at me.” As these disciples of John were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in Kings ‘palaces”! But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, and I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. This is one whom is written: ‘Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you’. Truly I say to you those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been treated violently and violent men take it by force.”
The larger narrative in Matthew, primarily written to Jews as an eyewitness of Jesus, declares his genealogy as a continuation of the Old Testament prophetic anticipation. Matthew refers to Jesus being from the line of David, which he fulfills as King Jesus. The eternal King. Jesus is also a descendant of Abraham, which he fulfills by being the promised seed of whom all the earth is blessed. He is the new Moses as he passes through the water in baptism and ascends to deliver the Sermon on the Mount. As well as being affirmed by the Spirit as a Son in whom the Father is pleased.
In Matthew 11:2-6, John the Baptist had heard about Jesus’ ministry, miracles, teaching, and how it lined up with the messianic prophecy. At the baptism of Jesus, he had seen it with his own eyes: the dove descends on the Son, and the Father’s voice affirming his pleasure. Yet under intense suffering, he asked, “Are you the coming one, or are we to look for someone else?” Jesus answered, “Look at the things that I have done as a claim that I AM who I say I am.” He gives John six Old Testament references. Five from Isaiah and one from Malachi–all of these concerning the coming messiah, the signs that would accompany him, and the forerunner that would come to prepare the way. A clear answer, but veiled.
Verse 3. As to the question of John “Are you the one?”
This is so powerful for us when we are tempted to doubt in times of wilderness and suffering. When we are in times of trial or refinement and intense sanctification. Not only is he who he says he is, but we are also who he says we are. We must orient and consecrate ourselves individually in our own hearts with our gifts, and corporately in worship-filled service within the body and greater community.
Verses 7 -10. Jesus then turns to the crowd and inquires, “What did you go to the wilderness to see?” These statements of John and one’s followers are of doctrinal sturdiness and moral clarity. John was not swayed by what people thought of him. He was not a man given to fine clothes and outward appearance, but led an ascetic, unindulgent lifestyle. Jesus also confirmed John's great prophetic ministry as well as being a messenger. He was a prophet with a purpose and a plan. A glowing review. All are marks of being a change of covenant from old to new. No more shadows and types but fulfillment and reality. A marker also of a change of the current power structures some put their trust in, like the religious and political powers of the day. Those who listen to them would have been familiar with their voices. Many of whom would have been living in beautiful homes and wearing fine clothes. Luke 20:46 “Beware of the teachers of the law, they like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplace.” John was so different.
Verse 11. Although John was the greatest born of woman, the least in the kingdom is greater than he. Here it seems that Jesus referred to the greatness of John’s ministry as the last great prophet in contrast to the immense benefits of those who would enter all the privileges of the new. All that Christ accomplishes.
The culmination of Matthew’s greater context, the question by John, Jesus’ answer to John’s disciples, his glowing review of the Baptist, the shadow and reality dynamic of old and new, are all a backdrop of a desire to understand the violence described in verse 12.
Verse 12. Jesus said, “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been treated violently, and violent men take it by force”
Charles Haddon Spurgeon called it “A holy violence”.
Recently, I had a couple visit the front doorstep of my home. They wanted to talk about Jesus. They began the conversation by making a false claim about Jesus regarding his humanity and deity. I explained from Scripture who Jesus was, what his nature is, how he fulfilled Old Testament prophecy about the Messiah, that he accepted worship, and personalized titles that only belong to God. There was clearly a tension present. After much discussion, I encouraged them to continue to read their bible because the Jesus they were presenting is not a Jesus that can save them. This is a type of violence that can happen to the kingdom of heaven from the outside. This type of violence, albeit subtle, and may come in various forms, is how we are presented with an unbiblical view of Jesus. This is the error in John 6:15 of the “People who wanted to make him a political King to overthrow Rome. And Jesus withdrew to the mountain from them.” This is the error of uncondoned violence when Peter cut off the ear of Malchus in the garden. Not having the right Jesus is just as deadly as the physical violence that is never condoned. Colossians 2:8 says, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophies, based on human tradition and the basic principles of man rather than on Christ.”
The Greek word used for violence in this Matthew passage is biazetai, a word to describe a hostile takeover of a city. The visitors at my door had the wrong Jesus. The crowds that were fed had the right Jesus but the wrong Kingdom. Peter had the right Jesus and the wrong motive. This is the attitude we need to guard ourselves when suffering violence from the outside.
The latter part of verse 12 is “And violent men take it by force.”
The Greek word for violent here is biastēs–a fervent, zealous, dedicated, deliberate, passion to possess, by forcing or impressing into. Jesus is encouraging us to not be cavalier in internally possessing the kingdom. It is not a neutral or vacillating position; it is a full press to make sure of what God has promised. James 1:12 “Blessed is the one who remains steadfast under trial, for he will receive the crown of life.” This is the violence that we can experience from the inside. This intense passion removes the sin that so easily entangles us, and to know the works he has accomplished and the grace he has put on public display. He has overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil. He is the good doctor who causes us to have good practice. He helps us in our weakness and frailty. 2 Tim 2:15 “Be diligent to show yourself approved to God, as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Whether we are like John, suffering violence from the outside or apathy from the inside, we can be encouraged by these words. To recognize the internal and external violence that blurs our vision of who Christ is and who we are in Him.
Christ himself has done this! He has overcome the violence that he suffered from the outside, in regard to religious leaders, political tyrants, and sin itself. He overcame them by violence on the cross. He makes peace by the violence of his blood. He overcame the pain internally by becoming sin for us and being separated from the Father. He violently and prayerfully overcame his own will to do the Father’s will. All this is done with the heart we should imitate. Gentle and lowly.