Matthew 11:12
What does Matthew 11:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 11:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 11:12 means
Jesus observed that from the time of John the Baptist until the present, the Kingdom of Heaven has been experiencing intense engagement, almost as if it is being forcefully advanced or seized. The phrase "suffereth violence, and men of violence take it by force" suggests an urgent, perhaps even aggressive, spiritual pursuit of the kingdom, or it could describe the fervent opposition and forceful resistance it faced. This reflects the powerful impact of John's ministry and the immediate, sometimes confrontational, nature of Jesus' own message.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and men of violence take it by force.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and men of violence take it by force.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And from the days of John the Baptist till now, the kingdom of heaven is forcing its way in, and men of force take it.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`And, from the days of John the Baptist till now, the reign of the heavens doth suffer violence, and violent men do take it by force,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent bear it away.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But from the days of John the baptist until now, the kingdom of the heavens is taken by violence, and [the] violent seize on it.
Context
This verse immediately follows Jesus' pronouncements on John's greatness and the contrasting greatness within the Kingdom of Heaven. It describes the active, dynamic, and perhaps turbulent, nature of the Kingdom's arrival since John's ministry began. This observation helps explain the urgency and spiritual warfare inherent in the transition from the old covenant order to the new, setting up the understanding of John's role as a transition figure.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 6:27
Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him the Father, even God, hath sealed.
- Luke 16:16
The law and the prophets were until John: from that time the gospel of the kingdom of God is preached, and every man entereth violently into it.
- Philippians 2:12
So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
- Matthew 21:23
And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?
- Luke 7:29
And all the people when they heard, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
- Ephesians 6:11
Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
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