Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Matthew: Chapter 11].
11:21 {Chorazin} (\Chorazein\). Mentioned only here and in Lu
10:13. Proof of "the meagreness of our knowledge of Judaism in
the time of Christ" (Plummer) and of the many things not told in
our Gospels (Joh 21:25). We know something of Bethsaida and
more about Capernaum as places of privilege. But (\pl•n\,
howbeit) neither of these cities repented, changed their conduct.
Note condition of the second class, determined as unfulfilled in
verses 21 and 23.
11:25 {At that season Jesus answered and said} (\en ekein•i t•i
kair•i apokritheis eipen\). Spoke to his Father in audible voice.
The time and place we do not know. But here we catch a glimpse of
Jesus in one of his moods of worship. "It is usual to call this
golden utterance a prayer, but it is at once prayer, praise, and
self-communing in a devout spirit" (Bruce). Critics are disturbed
because this passage from the Logia of Jesus or Q of Synoptic
criticism (Mt 11:25-30; Lu 10:21-24) is so manifestly Johannine
in spirit and very language, "the Father" (\ho pat•r\), "the son"
(\ho huios\), whereas the Fourth Gospel was not written till the
close of the first century and the Logia was written before the
Synoptic Gospels. The only satisfying explanation lies in the
fact that Jesus did have this strain of teaching that is
preserved in John's Gospel. Here he is in precisely the same mood
of elevated communion with the Father that we have reflected in
John 14 to 17. Even Harnack is disposed to accept this Logion as
a genuine saying of Jesus. The word "thank" (\homologoumai\) is
better rendered "praise" (Moffatt). Jesus praises the Father "not
that the \sophoi\ were ignorant, but that the \n•pioi\ knew"
(McNeile).
11:26 {Wellpleasing in thy sight} (\eudokia emprosthen sou\).
"For such has been thy gracious will" (Weymouth).
11:27 {All things have been delivered unto me of my Father}
(\panta moi paredoth• hupo tou patros mou\). This sublime claim
is not to be whittled down or away by explanations. It is the
timeless aorist like \edoth•\ in 28:18 and "points back to a
moment in eternity, and implies the pre-existence of the Messiah"
(Plummer). The Messianic consciousness of Christ is here as clear
as a bell. It is a moment of high fellowship. Note \epigin•skei\
twice for "fully know." Note also \boul•tai\ =wills, is willing.
The Son retains the power and the will to reveal the Father to
men.
http://www.ccel.org/r/robertson_at/wordpictures/htm/MT11.RWP.html (5 of 6) [28/08/2004 09:03:06 a.m.]