“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”
– Matthew 11:12 (KJV)
John the Baptist said of Jesus, “Behold the Lamb of God.” Jesus would later say of John, “among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11). Yet, as He closed His statement, Jesus also stated a universal truth: that from the Baptist’s days—his preaching— both
1) the kingdom suffered violence (see Matthew 11:12), and
2) the gospel was preached (see Luke 16:16).
It’s important to notice that each statement had a similar conclusion:
• with Matthew it was “and the violent take it by force”
• with Luke, “every man presseth into it.”
Jesus’ Audience
While the proclamations are similar we need each to grasp the depth of meaning in what Jesus said. That depth is found in whom Jesus addressed.
• In Luke He spoke to the Pharisees
• In Matthew the multitudes
It was Jesus’ audience that brought a complete meaning to these parallel statements.
The Pharisees were, among other things, covetous—they loved the praises of men—and as they derided (mocked or sneered) the Lord He responded: “The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it” (Luke 16:16 KJV). He then concluded “And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail” (v. 17).
This conclusion, not used with the multitudes, brings a focus to just what Jesus meant of men “pressing into the kingdom.”
Bottom line? Pharisees, you really aren’t entering the kingdom by doing religion your own way. However, men are “pressing in” through the Law’s way; that is, in its fulfillment by Jesus Christ!
That is why He told the Pharisees the Law could not fail! None of the Law could be dropped, no prophet’s word concerning the Christ could go unfulfilled; hence, Jesus’ words, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17 KJV).
Those who accepted Jesus as the end of the Law (see 2 Corinthians 3:13; John 1:45) were able to press, by force, into the Kingdom of God.
And it is Jesus’ statement to the multitudes in Matthew that defines the force further.
“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”
– Matthew 11:12 (KJV)
Power Struggles Between Heaven and Hell
Every notice the infrequent power struggles between heaven and hell recorded in the Old Testament? Genesis 3 (the fall) and Job 1, 2 are obvious encounters; as is 1 Chronicles 21:1 where Satan tempts David to number Israel; and Daniel 10 where the Prince of Persia hinders answered prayer, but other than these blatant examples most of the Old Testament is remiss of such overtly apparent “heaven versus hell” moments.
Even the Exodus displayed mightily God’s power but there was no real conversation with the devil. However, this is not so in the New Testament—more specifically, from the days of John the Baptist.
Following Jesus’ baptism and the Father’s witness open warfare between heaven and hell —Jesus and Satan—was declared. It began as the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness battle and it continued throughout His earthly ministry. The kingdom of heaven suffered violence as heaven met hell in the synagogue and in tombs; in healings and in the graves.
Thus, the Gospels are replete with such power encounters—the kingdom of heaven suffering violence—yet, the Lord wins them all! And in His victories the eager (violent) are empowered to take the kingdom by the force that is Jesus Christ.
Yes, from the days of John the Baptist the kingdom of heaven suffered violence.
Yet men can press into the kingdom, because Christ fulfilled the Law and prophets; those who have received Him can take the kingdom by force, because He has given them power to become the sons of God (see John 1:12).
Praise be to God!
