Matthew 11:25-30 Encouragement for John and Reproach for cities 6 Taking Jesus’ Yoke and Becoming Disciples

11:25-30 – Take My Yoke and Become Disciples

|| Luke 10:21, 22

MT11:25 During that period Jesus gave a response: “I openly confess to You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,[1] because You hide[2] things from sophists[3] and intellectuals[4] and reveal them to babies. MT11:26 Yes, Father, because to do it this way is by your good will.[5] MT11:27 Everything has been given me[6] by my Father. No one perfectly knows[7] the Son but the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father perfectly but the Son; and whom ever the Son wishes to unveil [Him].[8] MT11:28 Come to me all those burdened by toil[9] and I will refresh you.[10] MT11:29 Pick up my yoke[11] and learn from me,[12] because I am meek and humble in heart,[13] and you will find refreshment for your souls. MT11:30 For my yoke is kind[14] and my load is light.”[15]

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Matthew 11:30: For my yoke is kind and my load is light.

[1] Lord of heaven and earth: The Father is “Lord of heaven and earth,” and thus the Lord of Jesus. Compare Psalm 110:1 KJV. The designation is only used of the Father of the Son (Luke 10:21; Acts 17:24).

[2] Hide: The Greek is EKRYPSAS.

[3] Sophists: The Greek is SOPHON and may be rendered KJV: wise; WEY: sages. Compare 1 Corinthians 1:27.

[4] Intellectuals: The Greek is SYNETON and may be rendered: IB: cunning; KJV: prudent; STR: understand, discerning (1 Corinthians 1:19 = BER: keenness of the sagacious; TAY: the most brilliant).

[5] To do it this way is by your good will: Or, KJV: so it seemed good in thy sight; WEY: for such has been Thy gracious will; BECK: for wanting it to be that way.

[6] Everything has been given me: This is explained in John 5:19-47. God could not have everything given to Him for He already possesses everything.

[7] Perfectly knows: The Greek is a heightened form of knowing, EPI-GINOSKEI – not just an intellectual understanding but a perfect relationship. Note the “holy spirit” is absent from this formula. Others render the word: RHM: fully knoweth. Compare John 1:18.

[8] And whom ever the Son wishes to unveil [Him]: The Holy Spirit is absent here. Why does the Son not include the Holy Spirit in the formula? Does the Son reveal the Father to the Holy Ghost? The word “unveil” is from the Greek APEKALYPSAS and related to the word for the Book of Revelation. Others render this: KJV: reveal; AMP: make Him known; KIT: uncovered.

[9] Burdened by toil: Or, KJV: labour and are heavy laden; WEY: toiling and burdened; PME: weary and over-burdened; NEB: those who work hard, whose load is heavy (Isaiah 55:2).

[10] I will refresh you: Or, KJV: give you rest; WMS: lead you into rest. A person who comes to the Nazarene is not further burdened but feels a sense of relief and liberation.

[11] Pick up my yoke: Some effort is required. Others render this: NEB: bend your necks to my yoke. Compare Galatians 5:1.

[12] Learn from me: Two things are required: a yoke and an effort to learn. This course of discipleship is not without a yoke, nor without effort to learn the teachings of the Master. BAS: let me be your teacher.

[13] I am meek and humble in heart: Or, TCNT: gentle and lowly-minded. Despite his credentials and authority as stated in verse 27 the Messiah is not arrogant or puffed up with self-importance. One feels the simple, poor, and lowly felt free to approach Jesus freely with their pain and problems. Though Moses is described as “the meekest of men” Jesus is clearly the meekest of all who have ever lived (Numbers 12:3).

[14] My yoke is kind: Or, KJV: easy. Though the disciple is under a yoke – indicating this is not a freedom from work – this yoke fits well and is shared with the strongest shoulders known among men. The law forbade the yoking of two animals of different strengths and yet here we have exactly that. NOR: my yoke fits so easily.

[15] Load is light: There is a load though it is described as light. Others render this: KJV: my burden light.

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Preceding

Matthew 11:1 Encouragement for John and Reproach for cities 1 Twelve Sent out to Teach

Matthew 11:2-6 Encouragement for John and Reproach for cities 2 Imprisoned Baptist Encouraged

Matthew 11:7-15 Encouragement for John and Reproach for cities 3 John the Baptist and the Kingdom Goal

Matthew 11:16-19 Encouragement for John and Reproach for cities 4 Impossibility of Pleasing Everyone

Matthew 11:20-24 Encouragement for John and Reproach for cities 5 Reproached Cities a Lesson for Judgment Day

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