The Violence of the Kingdom and the Friend of Sinners

Does the Kingdom of Heaven “suffer violence” or “violently push forward”? Or is this verse (Matt. 11:12) reflecting a later Jewish midrash on Micah 2? Was John the Baptist the actual person of Elijah, come down from heaven (Elijah redivivus)? In what way do Christ’s opponents link him to the rebellious son of Deuteronomy 21 who should be stoned? Why is “friend of sinners” the best insult that could be leveled against our Lord? Finally, what Reformation themes emerge in Matthew 11:12-19? In this week’s video on Reading the Gospels through Hebrew Eyes, Chad Bird leads us through this rich section of Matthew.
Here is the video on John 8: • The Truth Will Set You...

[@susanlynnl]

This is so eye-opening for me.

[@brunet42]

Thank you Chad I pray for us as the promise brings us peace.

[@abuaissa55]

I always appreciate your exegesis of scripture, and your expertise however in this case, I agree with the third interpretation which was put forth by Dr. Robert Lindsey and Dr. David Flusser, as put forwardin a book by David Biven, "Understandingthe Difficult Sayings of Jesus." To me, it makes a much more consistent interpretation of thus scripture in light of the overall teaching of Jesus and his gospel of the kingdom.

[@aureliafox2924]

🙏 “Friend of sinners” 🙏🙌🙌🥰

[@timothylawson1151]

You really have to think that Jesus had in mind Wisdom 7:25 which the writer of Hebrews alluded to: Wisdom 7:25 For she is a breath of the power of God and an emanation of the pure glory of the Almighty; therefore nothing defiled gains entrance into her. 26 For she is a reflection of eternal light and a spotless mirror of the activity of God and an image of his goodness. 27 Although she is one, she can do all things, and while remaining in herself, she renews all things, and in every generation she passes into holy souls and makes them friends of God and prophets; -NETS

[@timothylawson1151]

In your preferred reading of Matt 11:12 the context of John being seized by enemies of the kingdom as telegraphing the underlying idea behind ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν βιάζεται καὶ βιασταὶ ἁρπάζουσιν αὐτήν is attractive to me. The difficulty I have with it however is that ἁρπάζουσιν is in the present form and semantically seems to have a resultative sense rather than the conative required for the idea of attack by reaching out to seize it. If it was in the aorist the the conative could be possible but the present tense militates against it. The present tense could be used for vividness though having a telic sense.

[@timothylawson1151]

Would we say that ἁρπάζουσιν is an achievement or a semelfactive?

[@yahwehforchristians]

Shalom Man of Yah. Please explain how Jesus had authority to read Torah in the Synagogue. Thanks much. שלם

[@chadbird1517]

It was common for Jewish teachers to be invited to read the Torah or Haftarah in synagogues. Paul too was invited to address the synagogues on his travels.

[@yahwehforchristians]

@@chadbird1517 Todah for the education. This is what I’ll share with my followers. שלם