Jesus, Wisdom, & The Riddle of Violence

#riddles #parables #wisdom

Matthew 11:12 ESV “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.”

NLT “And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it.”

1984 NIV “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.”

There are few sayings of Jesus over which such a flood of explanations has been poured in various combinations and whose understanding still remains so uncertain.

Is this saying about violence and the kingdom of heaven a wisdom teacher’s riddle? If so, does that help to explain why this saying of Jesus has proven so difficult to interpret?

In this study we will seek to answer these questions and explain one of the New Testament’s greatest interpretive riddles.

Select Sources

Carson, D. A. “Matthew,” in EBC, vol. 8. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1984

Davies, W. D. and Dale C. Allison, Jr. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel according to St. Matthew. Vols II & III. (ICC). Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1991-97.

Keener, Craig S. The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009.

Luz, Ulrich. Matthew. 3 vols. (Hermeneia). Minneapolis: Fortress, 2001-7

Marshall, I. Howard. The Gospel of Luke (NIGTC). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1978.

Osborne, Grant R. Matthew (ZECNT). Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010

Ridderbos, Herman N. Matthew. Bible Student’s Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1987