Understanding Matthew 11:12

 

    Matthew 11:12 is one of the enigmatic passages in The Bible, and various commentators have given different interpretations and meanings to it.

While coming to an understanding of such passages, it should be kept in mind that language and usage of words do change over time, and what a particular word meant at some time in the past (in the original as well as the translated language), may not necessarily be exactly the same as we understand it now.

One of the reasons for the difficulty in understanding this verse is the use of the word ‘violence’ and ‘violent’ and the negative connotations that we generally associate with these words in our common usage. The NIV translation uses the words ‘forcefully’ and ‘forceful’ instead, which though does mellow down the negative connotations but does not entirely do away with them. The original Greek word used in the text of this verse can mean both of the above as well as mean ‘being energetic’.

By using the alternative meanings of the original Greek words, we can also render this verse as follows: “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven is being pressed into through forceful and energetic efforts of the committed ones” (Matt 11:12 Paraphrased); which brings it more in line with the related verse – “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it” (Luke 16:16).

With this background, a possible interpretation and understanding of the verse can be: “From the time John the Baptist started giving the call to repent and undergo the baptism of repentance, till now, those who responded to his call have done so with a resolute mind and firm determination, striving to withstand all opposition and to persevere in the call steadfastly.”

But do also keep in mind that when Lord Jesus spoke these words, the era of salvation by grace had not been initiated. At that time the people still believed in righteousness by works of the Law, which is why they believed in being forceful or industrious, and energetic in their efforts to be acceptable to God. Moreover, Lord Jesus categorically used the words “From the days of John the Baptist until now”, setting a definite time frame for the applicability of the condition; and neither subsequently in the gospels, nor later in any of the epistles has this (being ‘violent’ or ‘forceful’ or ‘energetic’) been mentioned ever again as an exhortation or precondition for gaining entry into the Kingdom of God. So it would be wrong to surmise from this verse that strong self-efforts are required or are a prerequisite for gaining entry into God’s Kingdom.

But energetic and determined efforts to grow in the Christian faith and maintain the sanctity of their Christian calling after being saved by grace through repentance of sins and coming to a personal faith in Lord Jesus has always been the call for all Born Again children of God, as we see from Paul’s example of persevering and forcefully disciplining himself for the sake of his ministry, and teaching the same perseverance and willingness to endure to young Timothy from passages such as 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, 2 Timothy 2:3-5 & 4:7.

In other words, for us living in this age of grace, salvation is by God’s grace not any self efforts, but maturing in faith and being active and effective for our Lord does require our being energetic and forceful in disciplining ourselves as well as facing opposition in the practice of our faith.