11:2 John Refers to John the Baptist, who had been imprisoned by Herod Antipas (see 14:1–12).

11:3 the one who is to come Refers to the Messiah (see 3:11). John knew who Jesus was, but he wants to be sure He is the Messiah (compare 3:7–12).

11:4 what you hear and see Jesus’ response in vv. 5–6 underscores His fulfillment of prophetic expectations for the Messiah. His answer points to recent events from His ministry (e.g., 4:23–24; 5:3; 8:2; 9:18–33) while alluding to passages in Isaiah (Isa 8:14–15; 26:19; 29:18; 35:5–6; 42:18; 61:1; compare Luke 4:17–21).

Jesus’ Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy Table

11:5 lepers are cleansed There is no clear ot prophecy about lepers being cleansed (compare Matt 8:2; 10:8), but this probably alludes to the general prophecy of the oppressed being set free in Isa 61:1–2, quoted in Luke 4:18.

11:6 whoever is not offended by me Jesus likely is alluding to Isa 8:14–15. Compare Matt 11:20–24.

11:8 A man dressed in soft clothing Such clothing was more suitable for royalty than prophets in the wilderness. John’s clothing was made of camel’s hair (3:4).

11:9 even more than a prophet As the forerunner of the Messiah, John was not merely a prophet. Compare note on v. 14.

11:10 I am sending my messenger This citation is from Mal 3:1. John the Baptist played a critical role in salvation history by preparing the way for Jesus the Messiah (see Matt 3:3; Isa 40:3).

Jesus’ Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy Table

11:11 among those born of women Jesus indicates that John was the most important person who had lived until that point. The last part of the verse provides Jesus’ reason for this statement: The lowliest member of the kingdom of heaven—the most humble and God-serving—is greater than the greatest man who ever lived. Jesus is not making a moral distinction between His disciples and John; He is contrasting heavenly and earthly conceptions of greatness.

11:12 the violent claim it The kingdom of heaven and its workers have suffered at the hands of violent people who try to prevent or usurp God’s rule.

11:14 he is Elijah The prophet Malachi had foretold the coming of a messenger—Elijah—who would prepare the way of the Messiah (Mal 3:1; 4:5); consequently, some Jews expected the return of Elijah himself (e.g., John 1:25). However, Jesus explains here that Malachi’s prophecy was fulfilled by John the Baptist, who ministered in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17; compare Matt 16:14).

11:17 We played the flute for you In this illustration, children play music and sing, but their friends do not play along. Jesus makes the point that the Jews rejected John’s message of judgment (expressed by not eating and drinking) and Jesus’ message of joy and hope (expressed by eating and drinking) because John and Jesus did not fit their expectations of Elijah and the Messiah (compare note on v. 14).

11:18 neither eating nor drinking A reference to John’s ascetic lifestyle.

11:19 wisdom is vindicated by her deeds See note on Luke 7:35.

11:21 Chorazin A town near Capernaum.

Bethsaida A town near Capernaum.

Tyre and Sidon Powerful Gentile city-states in Phoenicia, northwest of Israel on the Mediterranean coast. These cities were famous for shipbuilding and seafaring (see note on Ezek 26:1–28:19). Compare Isa 23; Jer 25:17, 22; 47:4; Ezek 28:11–23; Joel 3:4–8.

11:23 Capernaum Jesus’ base of ministry. Most of His miracles are performed in the region of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. See note on Luke 4:31.

Hades The realm of the dead. Compare note on Mt 16:18.

Sodom The destruction of Sodom is described in Gen 19:1–29. See note on Matt 10:15.

11:25 revealed them to young children Jesus emphasizes the humility and dependence of those who receive His message. See 10:42 and note.

11:27 all things In light of v. 25, this could refer to all knowledge. It also could indicate complete authority, the totality of existence, or everything needed to carry out the ministry of Jesus (compare 28:18; Dan 7:14).

11:29 Take my yoke on you Yokes were heavy, wooden crossbars used to connect two oxen together for more efficient plowing. Here, Jesus’ yoke represents His teaching. Allegiance to Him and His kingdom results in a sense of peace—it is not laborious, like keeping the requirements of the Jewish leaders of the time, but instead is joyful.

11:30 my burden is light In contrast to the burdens imposed by Israel’s religious leaders (compare Matt 23:4).