Matthew 11:12

Matthew 11:12 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence, and the violent lay claim to it.

King James Version KJV

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

American Standard Version ASV

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and men of violence take it by force.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And from the days of John the Baptist till now, the kingdom of heaven is forcing its way in, and men of force take it.

Free Bible Version FBV

From the time of John the Baptist up till now the kingdom of heaven continues to be under attack, and violent people are trying to seize it by force.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And from the time of Iohn Baptist hitherto, the kingdome of heauen suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

'And, from the days of John the Baptist till now, the reign of the heavens doth suffer violence, and violent men do take it by force,

World English Bible WEB

From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And from the days of John the Baptist, until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent bear it away.

Translation for Translators T4T

From the time that John the Baptizer preached until now, other people have violently attacked the people who have allowed God [MTY/EUP] to rule their lives, and they have suffered (OR, people have very eagerly been asking God to take control of their lives, OR, Israelite people who have thought that I would become their king have been extremely eager to be included in my kingdom) (OR, have been violently attacked and made to suffer).

Plain English Version PEV

You know, John started to teach some time ago, and from that time until now, God’s family has been getting bigger. There are people that really want to be friends with God, and they have been trying hard to get into his family.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Matthew 11:12

BAB

Word Study

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Matthew 11:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK απο δε των ημερων ιωαννου του βαπτιστου εως αρτι η βασιλεια των ουρανων βιαζεται και βιασται αρπαζουσιν αυτην

απο apo G575 away from Prep

δε de G1161 then Conj

των ho G3588 the/this/who Art-GPF

ημερων hēmera G2250 day Noun-GPF

ιωαννου Iōannēs G2491 John Noun-GSM

του ho G3588 the/this/who Art-GSM

βαπτιστου Baptistēs G910 one who baptizes Noun-GSM

εως heōs G2193 until Adv

αρτι arti G737 now Adv

η ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSF

βασιλεια basileia G932 kingdom Noun-NSF

των ho G3588 the/this/who Art-GPM

ουρανων ouranos G3772 heaven Noun-GPM

βιαζεται biazō G971 to force Verb-PPI-3S

και kai G2532 and Conj

βιασται biastēs G973 forceful person Noun-NPM

αρπαζουσιν harpazō G726 to seize Verb-PAI-3P

αυτην autos G846 it/s/he Pron-ASF

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Matthew 11:12

απο apo G575 "away from" Prep

This word means moving away from something, like a place or a time. It's used in many parts of the Bible, like Matthew 5:29 and Luke 5:2, to show movement or separation. It can also mean because of something.

Definition: ἀπό (on the frequently neglect of elision bef. vowels, see Tdf., Pr., 94, WH, App., 146), prep. with genitive (WM, 462ff.; on its relation to ἐκ, παρά, ὑπό, ib. 456f.), [in LXX for לְ ,בְּ ,מִן ;] from (i.e. from the exterior). __1. Of separation and cessation; __(1) of motion from a place: Mat.5:29, 30 7:23, Luk.5:2 22:41, al.; __(2) in partitive sense (M, Pr., 72, 102, 245; MM, see word; Bl., §40, 2), Mat.9:16 27:21, Jhn.21:10, Act.5:2, al.; also after verbs of eating, etc.; __(3) of alienation (cl. genitive of separation), after such verbs as λούω (Deiss., BS, 227), λύω, σώζω, παύω, etc.; ἀνάθεμα ἀ., Rom.9:3; ἀποθνήσκειν ἀ., Col.2:20; σαλευθῆναι, 2Th.2:2, καθαρός, -ίζειν, ἀ. (Deiss., BS, 196, 216), Act.20:26, 2Co.7:1, Heb.9:14; __(4) of position, Mat.23:34 24:31, al.; after μακράν, Mat.8:30; transposed before measures of distance, Jhn.10:18 21:8, Rev.14:20 (Abbott, JG, 227); __(5) of time, ἀπὸ τ. ὥρας, ἡμέρας, etc., Mat.9:22, Jhn.19:27, Act.20:18, Php.1:5, al.; ἀπ᾽ αἰῶνος, Luk.1:70, al.; ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς, etc., Mat.19:4, Rom.1:20; ἀπὸ βρέφους, 2Ti.3:15; ἀφ᾽ ἧς, since, Luk.7:45, al.; ἀπὸ τ. νῦν, Luk.1:48, al.; ἀπὸ τότε, Mat.4:17, al.; ἀπὸ πέρυσι, a year ago, 2Co.8:10 9:2; ἀπὸ πρωΐ, Act.28:23; __(6) of order or rank, ἀπὸ διετοῦς, Mat.2:16; ἀπὸ Ἀβραάμ, Mat.1:17; ἐβδομος ἀπὸ Ἀδάμ, Ju 14; ἀπὸ μικροῦ ἕως μεγάλου, Act.8:10, Heb.8:11; ἄρχεσθαι ἀπό, Mat.20:8, Jhn.8:9, Act.8:35, al. __2. Of origin; __(1) of birth, extraction, and hence, in late writers, __(a) of local extraction (cl. ἐξ; Abbott, JG, 227ff.), Mat.21:11, Mrk.15:43, Jhn.1:45, Act.10:38, al.; οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας (WM, §66, 6; M, Pr., 237; Westc, Rendall, in l.), Heb.13:24; __(b) of membership in a community or society (BL, §40, 2), Act.12:1, al.; __(with) of material (= cl. genitive; Bl. l.with; M, Pr., 102), Mat.3:4 27:21; __(d) after verbs of asking, seeking, etc., Luk.11:50, 51 1Th.2:6 (Milligan, in l.); __(2) of the cause, instrument, means or occasion (frequently = ὑπό, παρά, and after verbs of learning, hearing, knowing, etc.; Bl., §40, 3), Mat.7:16 11:29, Luk.22:45, Act.2:22 4:36 9:13 12:14, 1Co.11:23, Gal.3:2, al.; ἀπὸ τ. ὄχλου, Luk.19:3 (cf. Jhn.21:6, Act.22:11); ἀπὸ τ. φόβου, Mat.14:26, al. (cf. Mat.10:26 13:44). __3. Noteworthy Hellenistic phrases: φοβεῖσθαι ἀπό (M, Pr., 102, 107); προσέχειν ἀπό (M, Pr., 11. with; Milligan, NTD, 50); ἀπὸ νότου (Heb. מִגֶּנֶב), Rev.21:13; ἀπὸ προσώπου (מִפְּנֵי), 2Th.1:9 (Bl., §40, 9); ἀπὸ τ. καρδιῶν (בְּלֵב), Mat.18:35; ἀπὸ ὁ ὤν (WM, §10, 2; M, Pr., 9), Rev.1:4. __4. In composition, ἀπό denotes separation, departure, origin, etc. (ἀπολύω, ἀπέρχομαι, ἀπογράφω); it also has a perfective force (M, Pr., 112, 247), as in ἀφικνεῖσθαι, which see (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 600 NT verses. KJV: (X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; Acts 8:10; 1 Peter 1:12.

δε de G1161 "then" Conj

This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.

των ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-GPF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

ημερων hēmera G2250 "day" Noun-GPF

The Greek word for day refers to a 24-hour period, used in Revelation 21:25 and Acts 9:24. It can also mean a period of time, like in Luke 21:37.

Definition: ἡμέρα, -ας, ἡ, [in LXX chiefly (very freq.) for יוֹם ;] day; __1. as distinct from night: genitive ἡμέρας, by day (WM, §30, 11), Rev.21:25; ἡ. κ. νυκτός (ν. κ. ̔ἡ.), Act.9:24, 1Th.2:9, 2Th.3:8, Rev.4:8 (BL, §36, 13); ἡμέρας μέσης, at mid-day, Act.26:13; accusative durat., τ. ἡμέρας, Luk.21:37; ὅλην τὴν ἡ., Rom.8:36; ἐν ἡμέρα, Jhn.11:9, Rom.13:13; ἡμέρας ὁδός, a day's journey, Luk.2:44; ἡ. γίνεται, Lk 4:42 22:66; κλίνει, Luk.9:12, al.; metaphorically, Jhn.9:4, Rom.13:12, 1Th.5:4, 5 8, 2Pe.1:19. __2. Of a civil day of 24 hours, incl. night: Mat.6:34, Mrk.6:21, Luk.13:14, al.; τρίτῃ ἡ., Mat.16:21; ἡμέρᾳ κ. ἡ. (cf. יוֹם בְּיוֹם, Est.3:4), 2Co.4:16; ὅλην τ. ἡ., Rom.8:36 10:21; pl., Jhn.2:12, Act.9:19, al.; ἡ. τῶν ἀζύμων, Act.12:3; τ. σαββάτου, Luk.13:14, 16; ἡ κυριάκη ἡ., Rev.1:10. __3. In Messianic sense, of the last day: ἡ ἡ. (ἐκείνη, τ. κυρίου, etc.), Mat.7:22, Luk.6:23, Rom.13:12, 1Co.1:8, 1Th.5:2, 2Th.2:2, 2Pe.3:10, al; by meton., as compared with the divine judgment on that day, ἡ. ἀνθρωπίνη, of a human tribunal, 1Co.4:3 (EV, man's judgment). __4. As in Heb. (also in Gk. writers; Bl, §46, 9; M, Pr., 81), of time in general: Jhn.8:56 14:20, 2Co.6:2, Eph.6:13, 2Pe.3:18; pl. Act.15:7, Eph.5:16, Heb.10:32; πᾶσας τὰς ἡ. (cf. כָּל הַיָּמִים, Deu.4:40, al.; MM, Exp., xv), Mat.28:20; ἐλεύσονται ἡ. ὅταν (ὅτε), Mat.9:15, Mrk.2:20, Luk.5:35 17:22; αἱ ἡ., with genitive of person(s) (Gen.26:1, al.), Mat.2:1, Luk.1:5, Act.7:45, 1Pe.3:20; ἀρχ̀ ἡμερῶν, Heb.7:3. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 366 NT verses. KJV: age, + alway, (mid-)day (by day, (-ly)), + for ever, judgment, (day) time, while, years See also: 1 Corinthians 1:8; Acts 21:5; 1 Peter 2:12.

ιωαννου Iōannēs G2491 "John" Noun-GSM

John refers to several important figures in the Bible, including John the Baptist and John the Apostle, one of Jesus' twelve apostles. John the Baptist is mentioned in Matthew 3:1 and John the Apostle in Matthew 4:21.

Definition: Ἰωάνης (Rec. ννης, which see; cf. Dalman, Gr., 142; Tdf., Pr., 79; WH, App., 159; Bl., §3, 10; 10, 2), -ου, dative, -ῃ (but in Mat.11:4. Luk.7:18, 22 Rev.1:1, ει), accusative, -ην, ὁ (Heb. יוֹחָנָן, LXX: Ἰωανάν, 2Ch.23:1, al.; -ννάν, Je 47 (40):8, al., Aq.), Hellenized form of Ἰωανάν, John ( I Est.8:38(41)*), viz., __1. John the Baptist: Mat.3:1, al. __2. John the Apostle, son of Zebedee: Mat.4:21, Mrk.1:19, Luk.5:10, Act.1:13, al. __3. The father of St. Peter: Jhn.1:43 21:15-17. __4. John surnamed Mark: Act.12:12, 25 13:5, 13 15:37. __5. The writer of the Apocalypse, traditionally identified with 2: Rev.1:1, 4 9. Ἰωάννης (D, Ἰωνάθας; see MM, Exp., XV; Bl., §10, 2), ὁ, John: Act.4:6 13:5, Tr., WH, Rev.22:8 (cf. Ἰωάνης).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 128 NT verses. KJV: John See also: Acts 1:5; Luke 9:19; Revelation 1:1.

του ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-GSM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

βαπτιστου Baptistēs G910 "one who baptizes" Noun-GSM

John the Baptist was a baptizer, preparing people for Jesus' arrival, as seen in Matthew 3:1 and Mark 6:25. He baptized many, including Jesus. The term baptizer refers to John's role.

Definition: βαπτιστής, -ου, ὁ (βαπτίζω), a baptizer: of John the Baptist, Mat.3:1 11:11, 12 14:2, 8 16:14 17:13, Mrk.6:25 8:28, Luk.7:20, 33 9:19.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 14 NT verses. KJV: Baptist See also: Luke 7:20; Matthew 3:1; Matthew 17:13.

εως heōs G2193 "until" Adv

A Greek word for until, showing when something continues or ends. It is used in Matthew 2:9 and 5:18 to indicate a time or place. It helps show when events happen or stop.

Definition: ἕως, relative particle (Lat. donee, usque), expressing the terminus ad quem (cf. Burton, §321ff.). __I. As conjunction; __1. till, until; __(a) of a fact in past time, with indic.: Mat.2:9, al. (Wis.10:14, al.); __(b) ἕως ἄν, with subjc. aor.: Mat.2:13 5:18, Mrk.6:10, al.; without ἄν (M. Pr., 168f.; Lft., Notes, 115), Mrk.14:32 (Burton, §325), Luk.12:59, 2Th.2:7, al.; __(with) with indic., present (Burton, §328; BL, §65, 10): Mrk.6:45, Jhn.21:22, 23 1Ti.4:13. __2. C. indic., as long as, while (Burton, §327): Jhn.9:4 (Plat., Phaedo, 89c). __II. As an adverb (chiefly in late writers). __1. Of time, until, unto; __(a) as prep. with genitive (BL, §40, 6; M, Pr., 99): τ. ἡμέρας, Mat.26:29, Luk.1:80, Rom.11:8, al.; ὥρας, Mat.27:45, al.; τέλους, 1Co.1:8, 2Co.1:13; τ. νῦν, Mat.24:21, Mrk.13:19 (1Ma.2:33); ἐτῶν ὀγ. (Field, Notes, 49f.), Luk.2:37; τ. ἐλθεῖν, Act.8:40; before names and events, Mat.1:17 2:15, Luk.11:51, Jas.5:7, al.; __(b) before οὗ, ὅτου, with the force of a conjc. (Burton, §330; M, Pr., 91); __(α) ἕ. οὗ (Hdt., ii, 143; Plut., al.): with indic., Mat.1:25 (WH br., οὗ) 13:33, al.; with subjc. aor., Mat.14:22, al.; __(β) ἔ. ὅτου: with subjc., Luk.13:8; with indic., Mat.5:25 (until), Jhn.9:18; __(with) with adv. (ἔ. ὀψέ, Thuc, iii, 108): ἄρτι, Mat.11:12, Jhn.2:10, 1Co.4:13, al.; πότε (M, Pr., 107), Mat.17:17, Mrk.9:19, Jhn.10:24, al. __2. Of place, as far as, even to, unto (Arist., al.); __(a) as prep. with genitive (see supr.): Mt 1123, Lk 1015, al.; __(b) with adv. (BL, §40, 6): ἄνω, Jhn.2:7; ἔσω, Mrk.14:54; κάτω, Mat.27:51, Mrk.15:38; ὧδε, Luk.23:5; __(with) with prep.: ἔξω, Act.21:5; πρός, Luk.24:50 (Field, Notes, 83). __3. Of quantity, measure, etc.: Mat.18:21, Mrk.6:23, Luk.22:51, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 137 NT verses. KJV: even (until, unto), (as) far (as), how long, (un-)til(-l), (hither-, un-, up) to, while(-s) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:8; Luke 20:43; Hebrews 1:13.

αρτι arti G737 "now" Adv

The word arti means now or at this moment, as used in Matthew 3 and John 13. It emphasizes the present time, contrasting with the past or future. Jesus often used this word to teach about current events and spiritual truths.

Definition: ἄρτι adv., [in LXX: Dan LXX 9:22 10:11 (עַתָּה), al. ;] adv., of coincidence, denoting strictly present time, as contrasted with past or future, just, just now, this moment: Mat.3:15 9:18 26:53, Jhn.13:7, Gal.4:20, 1Th.3:6 (see Lft., Notes, 44; Milligan, in l), Rev.12:10; opposite to past time, Jhn.9:19, 25 13:33, 1Co.16:7, Gal.1:9-10; to future, Jhn.13:37 16:12, 31, 1Co.13:12, 2Th.2:7, 1Pe.1:6 1:8; ἄχρι τῆς ἅ. ὥρας, 1Co.4:11; ἕως ἄ., Mat.11:12, Jhn.2:10 5:17 16:24, 1Co.4:13 8:7 15:6, 1Jn.2:9; ἀπ᾽ ἄ., see: ἀπάρτι (see Rutherford, NPhr., 70 f; MM, see word).† SYN.: νῦν, now, "the objective, immediate present; ἤδη, now, already, " the subjective present, with a suggested reference to some other time or to some expectation". (Thayer, 75.) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 36 NT verses. KJV: this day (hour), hence(-forth), here(-after), hither(-to), (even) now, (this) present See also: 1 Corinthians 4:11; John 9:25; 1 Peter 1:6.

η ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

βασιλεια basileia G932 "kingdom" Noun-NSF

The kingdom refers to God's royal power and dominion, as described in Luke 1:33 and John 18:36, where Jesus' authority is recognized as being from God.

Definition: βασιλεία, -ας, ἡ (βασιλεύω), [in LXX chiefly for מַמְלָכָה ,מַלְכוּת ;] __1. prop. abstract, sovereignty, royal power, dominion: Luk.1:33 22:29, Jhn.18:36, Act.1:6, Heb.1:8, 1Co.15:24; λαβεῖν β., Luk.19:12, 15 Rev.17:12; δοῦναι τὴν, ib. 17; ἔχειν β., ib. 18; ἔρχεσθαι ἐν τ. (εἰς τὴν) β., Mat.16:28, Luk.23:42; β. τ. θεοῦ, Rev.12:10. __2. By meton., concrete (MM, Exp., x), __(a) a kingdom, the territory or people over whom the king rules (Est.5:3, al.): Mat.4:8 12:25, 26 24:7, Mrk.3:24 6:23, Luk.4:5, Heb.11:33, al.; __(b) the royal majesty (cf. our phrase His Majesty), the king himself (τ. σπέρμα τῆς β., 4Ki.11:1). __3. In LXX (Wis.6:5, Tob.13:1, al.), Targ. and NT, of the Messianic rule and kingdom, ἡ β. τ. θεοῦ, τ. οὐρανῶν (Heb. מַלְכוּת שָׁמַיִם, Aram. מַלְכוּתָא דִשׁמַיָּא; see Dalman, Words, 91-147; Cremer, 132, 658), the kingdom of God (on the equivalence of the two phrases, see Dalman, op. cit., 93, 218f.); τ. θεοῦ, Mat.6:33 12:28, al.; τ. οὐρανῶν, Mat.3:2 4:17, al.; τ. Χριστοῦ (מַלִכוּת דִמְשִׁיחא, Targ. Jon. on Isa.53:10), Eph.5:5; τ. κυρίου, 2Pe.1:11, Rev.11:15; τ. Δαυείδ, Mrk.11:10; absol., ἡ β., Mat.4:23, Jas.2:5, al. The kingdom is regarded as present: Mat.11:12, Luk.17:21, Rom.14:17, al.; as that which is to be consummated in the future, Mat.6:10, Mrk.9:1, Jhn.3:5, 2Pe.1:11, al. Noteworthy phrases are: ζητεῖν τὴν β., Mat.6:33; δέχεσθαι, Mrk.10:15; κλρονομεῖν, Mat.25:34; διδόναι, Lk 12:32; παραλαμβάνειν, Heb.12:28; αὐτῶν (τοιούτων) εστὶν ἡ β., Mat.5:3, 10 19:14, Mrk.10:14, Luk.18:16; διὰ τὴν β., Mat.19:12; ἕνεκεν τῆς β., Luk.18:29; εὐαγγελίζεσθαι, κηρύσσειν, διαγγέλλειν τὴν β., Luk.4:43 9:2, 60; ἤγγικεν ἡ β., Mat.3:2, Mrk.1:15; κλεῖς τῆς β., Mat.16:10; κλείειν τὴν β., Mat.23:14; υἱοὶ τῆς β., Mat.8:12 13:38 (cf. Cremer, 132, 658). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 154 NT verses. KJV: kingdom, + reign See also: 1 Corinthians 4:20; Mark 4:30; Hebrews 1:8.

των ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-GPM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

ουρανων ouranos G3772 "heaven" Noun-GPM

The Greek word for heaven refers to the sky and God's home, symbolizing happiness and power. It's used in the New Testament, such as in Matthew 5:18 and Hebrews 1:10. This concept represents the universe and eternity.

Definition: οὐρανός, -οῦ, ὁ, [in LXX chiefly for שָׁמַיִם (hence, often pl., οἱ οὐ., see infr.) ;] heaven; __1. of the vault or firmament of heaven, the sky and the aerial regions above the earth: opposite to ἡ γῆ, Heb.1:10, 2Pe.3:5, 10; ὁ οὐ. καὶ ἡ γῆ, i.e. the world, the universe, Mat.5:18, Mrk.13:31, Luk.10:21, Act.4:24, Rev.10:6, al.; ἀπ᾽ ἄκρων οὐ. ἕως ἄ. αὐτῶν (on the absence of art. aft. prep., see Bl, §46, 5), Mat.24:31; ὑπὸ τὸν οὐ., Act.2:5, Col.1:23; ὑψωθῆναι ἕως τοῦ οὐ., figuratively, Mat.11:23, Luk.10:15; σημεῖον ἐκ τοῦ οὐ., Mat.16:1, Mrk.8:11, al.; αἱ νεφέλαι, Mat.24:30, al.; τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐ., Mat.6:26, Mrk.4:32, al.; οἱ ἀστέρες τοῦ οὐ., Rev.6:13, al.; pl. (οἱ) οὐ. (Bl., §32, 5), Mat.3:16, Mrk.1:10, Jhn.1:32, 2Pe.3:7, 13 al. __2. Of the abode of God and other blessed beings: of angels, Mat.24:36, Mrk.12:25, Gal.1:8, Rev.10:1, al.; of Christ glorified, Mrk.16:[19], Luk.24:51, Act.3:21, Rom.10:6, al.; of God, Mat.5:34, Rom.1:18, al.; ὁ Πατὴρ ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐ. (Dalman, Words, 184ff.), Mat.5:16 6:1, al.; θησαυρὸς ἐν οὐ., Mat.6:20, Mrk.10:21, al. __3. By meton., __(a) of the inhabitants of heaven: Rev.18:20 (cf. ib. 12:12, Job.15:15, Isa.44:23); __(b) as an evasive reference to God, characteristic of later Judaism (Dalman, Words, 204ff.): Mat.21:25, Mrk.11:30, Luk.15:18, Jhn.3:27, al.; ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐ. (= τοῦ Θεοῦ); see: βασιλεία). βασιλεία, -ας, ἡ (βασιλεύω), [in LXX chiefly for מַמְלָכָה ,מַלְכוּת ;] __1. prop. abstract, sovereignty, royal power, dominion: Luk.1:33 22:29, Jhn.18:36, Act.1:6, Heb.1:8, 1Co.15:24; λαβεῖν β., Luk.19:12, 15 Rev.17:12; δοῦναι τὴν, ib. 17; ἔχειν β., ib. 18; ἔρχεσθαι ἐν τ. (εἰς τὴν) β., Mat.16:28, Luk.23:42; β. τ. θεοῦ, Rev.12:10. __2. By meton., concrete (MM, Exp., x), __(a) a kingdom, the territory or people over whom the king rules (Est.5:3, al.): Mat.4:8 12:25, 26 24:7, Mrk.3:24 6:23, Luk.4:5, Heb.11:33, al.; __(b) the royal majesty (cf. our phrase His Majesty), the king himself (τ. σπέρμα τῆς β., 4Ki.11:1). __3. In LXX (Wis.6:5, Tob.13:1, al.), Targ. and NT, of the Messianic rule and kingdom, ἡ β. τ. θεοῦ, τ. οὐρανῶν (Heb. מַלְכוּת שָׁמַיִם, Aram. מַלְכוּתָא דִשׁמַיָּא; see Dalman, Words, 91-147; Cremer, 132, 658), the kingdom of God (on the equivalence of the two phrases, see Dalman, op. cit., 93, 218f.); τ. θεοῦ, Mat.6:33 12:28, al.; τ. οὐρανῶν, Mat.3:2 4:17, al.; τ. Χριστοῦ (מַלִכוּת דִמְשִׁיחא, Targ. Jon. on Isa.53:10), Eph.5:5; τ. κυρίου, 2Pe.1:11, Rev.11:15; τ. Δαυείδ, Mrk.11:10; absol., ἡ β., Mat.4:23, Jas.2:5, al. The kingdom is regarded as present: Mat.11:12, Luk.17:21, Rom.14:17, al.; as that which is to be consummated in the future, Mat.6:10, Mrk.9:1, Jhn.3:5, 2Pe.1:11, al. Noteworthy phrases are: ζητεῖν τὴν β., Mat.6:33; δέχεσθαι, Mrk.10:15; κλρονομεῖν, Mat.25:34; διδόναι, Lk 12:32; παραλαμβάνειν, Heb.12:28; αὐτῶν (τοιούτων) εστὶν ἡ β., Mat.5:3, 10 19:14, Mrk.10:14, Luk.18:16; διὰ τὴν β., Mat.19:12; ἕνεκεν τῆς β., Luk.18:29; εὐαγγελίζεσθαι, κηρύσσειν, διαγγέλλειν τὴν β., Luk.4:43 9:2, 60; ἤγγικεν ἡ β., Mat.3:2, Mrk.1:15; κλεῖς τῆς β., Mat.16:10; κλείειν τὴν β., Mat.23:14; υἱοὶ τῆς β., Mat.8:12 13:38 (cf. Cremer, 132, 658). \ (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 261 NT verses. KJV: air, heaven(-ly), sky See also: 1 Corinthians 8:5; Luke 15:21; 1 Peter 1:4.

βιαζεται biazō G971 "to force" Verb-PPI-3S

To force means to constrain or crowd oneself into something, as seen in Matthew 11:12. It can also mean to suffer violence or pressure.

Definition: βιάζω (βία), and depon. -ομαι, [in LXX for פּרץ, פּצר, etc. ;] to force, constrain, rare in active (poet, and late prose), but found in cl. in pass., and so perh. βιάζεται, suffereth violence, Mat.11:12, EV (but see infr.), whether __(a) in good sense, of disciples (Thayer, al.), or __(b) in bad sense, of the enemies of the kingdom (Meyer, in l.; Dalman, Words, 139ff.; Cremer, 141ff.). Mid., advanceth violently, Mt, l.with (Deiss., BS., 258; Banks, see ref. in DCG, ii, 803f.); before εἰς, to press violently, or force one's way into, Luk.16:16 (see ICC, in l., and in Mt, l.with; cf. παραβιάζομαι and see MM, see word).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2 NT verses. KJV: press, suffer violence See also: Luke 16:16; Matthew 11:12.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

βιασται biastēs G973 "forceful person" Noun-NPM

A forceful person is someone who is energetic and strong, as described in Matthew 11:12. They can be violent or intense in their actions or behavior.

Definition: βιαστής, -οῦ, ὁ (βιάζω), late form of βιατάς; __1. strong, forceful. __2. violent (Philo): Mat.11:12 (see: βιάζω).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: violent See also: Matthew 11:12.

αρπαζουσιν harpazō G726 "to seize" Verb-PAI-3P

This word means to seize or snatch something away by force, like when Jesus said the kingdom of God is taken by force. It appears in Matthew 11:12 and John 10:28-29.

Definition: ἁρπάζω [in LXX chiefly for גָּזַל, טָרַף ;] to seize, catch up, snatch away, carry off by force: with accusative of thing(s), Mat.12:29 13:19, Jhn.10:12, 28-29; τ. βασιλείαν τ. θεοῦ, Mat.11:12; with accusative of person(s), Jhn.6:15, Act.8:39 23:10, Ju 23; pass., before ἕως, 2Co.12:2; εἰς, 2Co.12:4, 1Th.4:17; πρός, Rev.12:5 (cf. δι-, συν-αρπάζω, and see MM, see word).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 13 NT verses. KJV: catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force) See also: 1 Thessalonians 4:17; John 10:12; Revelation 12:5.

αυτην autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-ASF

This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.

Definition: αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). __1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); __(1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; MM, see word); __(2) emphatic, he, she, it (M, Pr., 86; Bl., §48, 1, 2, 7), Mat.1:21, 12:50, Luk.6:35, al.; pointing to some one as master (cl.), Mat.8:24, Mrk.4:38, al.; αὐ., καὶ αὐ. = οὗτος, ὁ δε (BL, §48, 1), Mat.14:2, Mrk.14:15, 44, Luk.1:22, 2:28, al. __2. In oblique cases (cl.), for the simple pron. of 3rd of person(s), he, she, it, Mat.7:9, 10:12, 26:44, al.; with ptcp. in genitive absol., Mat.9:18, Mrk.13:1, al. (for irreg. constructions, V. Bl., §74, 5); pleonastically after the relative (cf. Heb. אֲשֶׁר לוֹ; WM, 184ff.; Bl., §50, 4; MM, see word), Mrk.7:25, Rev.3:8, 7:2, al.; in constr. ad sensum, without proper subject expressly indicated, Mat.4:23, Act.8:5, 2Co.2:13, al.; genitive αὐτοῦ = ἐκείνου, Rom.11:11, 1Th.2:19, Tit.3:5, Heb.2:4. __3. ὁ, ἡ, τὸ αὐ., the same: Heb.1:12, 13:8; τὸ αὐ., ποιεῖν, Mat.5:46, 47, al.; φρονεῖν, Rom.12:16, 15:5, Php.2:2, al.; τὰ αὐ., Act.15:27, Rom.2:1, al.; κατὰ τὸ (τὰ) αὐ. (MM, see word), Act.14:1, Luk.6:23, al.; ἐπὶ τὸ αὐ., together (MM, see word), Mat.22:34, Act.1:15, al.; ἓν κ. τὸ αὐ., 1Co.11:5, 12:11; with dative (cl.), 1Co.11:5; with a noun, λόγος, Mrk.14:39; μέτρος, Php.1:30; πνεῦμα, 1Co.12:4. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3773 NT verses. KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 John 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3.

Study Notes — Matthew 11:12

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Matthew 11:12 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Matthew 11:12
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 11:12
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 11:12
Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 11:12
Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 11:12
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 11:12
Cambridge Bible on Matthew 11:12
Barnes' Notes on Matthew 11:12
Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 11:12
Sermons on Matthew 11:12

Context — Jesus Testifies about John

10This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.’ 11Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

12From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence, and the violent lay claim to it.

13For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Luke 16:16	The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the gospel of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.
2	Luke 13:24	“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.
3	Ephesians 6:11–13	Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.
4	Philippians 2:12	Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
5	John 6:27	Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”
6	Luke 7:29–30	All the people who heard this, even the tax collectors, acknowledged God’s justice. For they had received the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.
7	Matthew 21:23–32	When Jesus returned to the temple courts and began to teach, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him. “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You this authority?” “I will also ask you one question,” Jesus replied, “and if you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. What was the source of John’s baptism? Was it from heaven or from men?” They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard John as a prophet.” So they answered, “We do not know.” And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. But what do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ ‘I will not,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went. Then the man went to the second son and told him the same thing. ‘I will, sir,’ he said. But he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” “The first, ” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in a righteous way and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

Matthew 11:12 Summary

[This verse means that the kingdom of God is being pushed forward by people who are very passionate and committed to God, like John the Baptist. It's like they're taking a strong stand for what they believe in, just like in the book of Acts 4:29-31, where the apostles prayed for boldness to preach the gospel. Jesus is saying that this kind of zeal and commitment is necessary to advance the kingdom of God, and we can see this in the way the early church spread the message of salvation in Acts 2:42-47. As Christians, we can learn from this by being bold and courageous in our own faith, trusting in God's power to work through us, as seen in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Jesus mean by the kingdom of heaven being subject to violence?

Jesus is saying that the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advanced by those who are zealous for God, like John the Baptist, since his ministry began, as seen in Matthew 3:1-6, and this is in line with the prophecy in Malachi 3:1-3.

Who are the violent ones laying claim to the kingdom of heaven?

The violent ones are those who are taking a strong stand for God and His kingdom, using the opportunities given to them to spread the message of salvation, as seen in the examples of the apostles in Acts 4:29-31 and the early church in Acts 2:42-47.

Is Jesus promoting violence in this verse?

No, Jesus is not promoting physical violence, but rather spiritual zeal and boldness in advancing the kingdom of God, as seen in Ephesians 6:10-20, where believers are called to put on the full armor of God to stand against the spiritual forces of evil.

How does this verse relate to our lives as Christians today?

This verse reminds us that as Christians, we are called to be bold and zealous in our faith, just like the early disciples, and to trust in God's power to advance His kingdom, as seen in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, where we are called to take every thought captive to obey Christ.

Reflection Questions

What does it mean to you to be 'violent' in taking a stand for God's kingdom, and how can you apply this in your own life?
How can you, like John the Baptist, be a voice preparing the way for others to come to know Jesus?
In what ways can you use your spiritual gifts and talents to forcefully advance the kingdom of God?
What are some spiritual strongholds in your life that you need to take a stand against, and how can you trust in God's power to overcome them?

Gill's Exposition on Matthew 11:12

And from the days of John the Baptist until now,.... From the time that he began to preach, to the then present time, the kingdom of heaven, the Gospel, and the ministry of it, first by John, then by

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 11:12

And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? No JFB commentary on these verses.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 11:12

As John Baptist was a great man, so the Lord hath owned him as such, giving such a success to his ministry, that ever since he began the course of it, men have been carried on with a great ardour and heat, in hearing and receiving the gospel, which is the gospel of the kingdom, and bringeth men into the kingdom of Christ amongst men, and at last to the kingdom of glory. The hearts of men and women have been inflamed with a desire after the knowledge and obtaining of heaven, and heavenly things. They are great persons whom God thus owneth; and those whom the Lord thus owneth, are ordinarily such as have some measures of the spirit of this first gospel ministry, making the great things of God the matter of their discourse, and doing their work with a seriousness, zeal, and fervour fitted to it. The violent take it by force: they are not lazy wishes or cold endeavours that will bring men to heaven.

Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 11:12

12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. Ver. 12. And from the days of John, &c.] The Baptist is further commended from the good success of his ministry, a sweet seal, but no sure sign of a sanctified preacher; since many causes give that to others, that which themselves have not. Thus the lifeless heaven gives life to various creatures, the dull whetstone sharpens iron. A stinking breath may sound a trumpet with great commendation, &c. Howbeit the fruitfulness of the people is the preacher’ s testimonial, 2 Corinthians 3:2; and God delights to honour those of most sincerity with most success, as 1 Corinthians 15:10. The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence] Men are resolved to have it, whatever pains or peril they pass through. As God’ s Israel violently invaded and overran the promised land, so do his elect lay hold on the promised inheritance. This true treasure, hitherto hidden, Romans 16:26, is now discovered and exposed to all that have a mind to it. Now therefore they are carried with all strength of affection after Christ; him they must have, whatever else they go without; towards him they fly as a cloud; and as a flock of doves they scour into the columbary, and rush into the windows, Isaiah 60:8. And the violent, &c.] The valiant, Isaiah calleth them, that break through all difficulties, as did David’ s worthies, and walk about the world as so many conquerors: yea, more than conquerors they are, Romans 8:37, and what can that be but triumphers? 2 Corinthians 2:14. Take it by force] Make a prey or a prize of it. Diripiunt, as Hilary rendereth it, making it a metaphor, from a tower or town sacked and ransacked by the enemy. Cyprus is an island so fruitful and pleasant, that it was anciently called Macaria, that is, blessed. And of it Sextus Rufus writeth, that being famous for riches, it thereby solicited the poverty of the people of Rome to seize upon it. This may be more fitly said of heaven, that habitation of the happy ones, so eagerly and earnestly sought for by the saints, that nothing else will satisfy them. Valde protestatus sum me nolle sic a Deo satiari, said Luther, when great gifts were sent unto him, and a cardinalship offered him by the pope: God, he said, should not put him off with those petty things, he breathed after better. Heaven is had by the violent, earth inherited by those that are meek, Matthew 5:6. Where, though God would have his servants content with the least mercies (as being less than the very least), yet not satisfied with the greatest things in the world for their portion, since they are born to better. If they be, as most are, slothful in seeking to possess themselves of heaven, he chides them, as Joshua did the seven tribes for their negligence, Joshua 18:2. Cyprus famosa divitiis paupertatem populi Rom. ut occuparetur, sollicitacit.

Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 11:12

(12) The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence.—The Greek verb may be either in the middle voice, “forces its way violently,” or passive, as in the English version, but there is little doubt that the latter is the right rendering. The words describe the eager rush of the crowds of Galilee and Judæa, first to the preaching of the Baptist, and then to that of Jesus. It was, as it were, a city attacked on all sides by those who were eager to take possession of it. The violent take it by force.—The Greek noun is without the article, “men who are violent or use force.” The meaning is determined by the preceding clause. The “violent” are men of eager, impetuous zeal, who grasp the kingdom of heaven—i.e., its peace, and pardon, and blessedness—with as much eagerness as men would snatch and carry off as their own the spoil of a conquered city. Their new life is, in the prophet’s language, “given them as a prey” (Jeremiah 21:9; Jeremiah 45:5). There is no thought of hostile purpose in the words.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 11:12

Verse 12. The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence] The tax-gatherers and heathens, whom the scribes and Pharisees think have no right to the kingdom of the Messiah, filled with holy zeal and earnestness, seize at once on the proffered mercy of the Gospel, and so take the kingdom as by force from those learned doctors who claimed for themselves the chiefest places in that kingdom. Christ himself said, The tax-gatherers and harlots go before you into the kingdom of God. See the parallel place, Lu 7:28-30. He that will take, get possession of the kingdom of righteousness, peace, and spiritual joy, must be in earnest: all hell will oppose him in every step he takes; and if a man be not absolutely determined to give up his sins and evil companions, and have his soul saved at all hazards, and at every expense, he will surely perish everlastingly. This requires a violent earnestness.

Cambridge Bible on Matthew 11:12

12. And from] Translate but from: another point shewing the greatness of John, and also the beginning of the Kingdom: it was from the time of John’s preaching that men began to press into the kingdom, and the earnest won their way in. For the preaching of John was the epoch to which all prophecy tended. suffereth violence] is forced, broken into, as a ship enters a harbour by breaking the boom stretched across the harbour’s mouth. John’s preaching was the signal for men to press into the kingdom—to adopt eagerly the new rule and life heralded by John and set forth by Christ. the violent take it by force] The eager and enthusiastic followers of Christ seize the kingdom—win it as a prize of war.

Barnes' Notes on Matthew 11:12

And from the days of John ... - That is, from the days when John began to preach. It is not known how long this was, but it was not probably more than a year. Our Saviour here simply states a fact.

Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 11:12

12. Suffereth violence — Our Lord here shows that John is not alone in his mistake. It is the error of the day.

Sermons on Matthew 11:12

	Sermon	Description
	(John) 03 - the Witness of Works by Alan Redpath	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding. He emphasizes the significance of Jesus attending a wedding and bringing joy to eve
	Prodigal Church by B.H. Clendennen	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of the prodigal son from the Bible. He compares the prodigal son to the state of the church, describing how it has become impoveris
	A Time to Cry by David Legge	In this sermon, the speaker laments the current state of society, where the preaching of the word of God is disregarded and mocked. The speaker questions the absence of divine inte
	Five Steps to Genuine Revival by Ian Paisley	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of prayer and learning how to pray effectively. He urges believers to pray with fervor and passion, using prayer as a weapon
	From Babylon to Jerusalem - (Ezra) ch.5 & 6 by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being spiritually violent in pursuing God's purposes. He references Matthew 11:12, where Jesus says that the kingdom of he
	Holy Violence by C.H. Spurgeon	In this sermon, the preacher passionately expresses his desire to be more earnest in his preaching of the word of God. He acknowledges his own sinful nature and the possibility of
	The Violent Take the Kingdom of Heaven by Force by Aaron Hurst	In this sermon, Brother Denny emphasizes the importance of being diligent and vigilant in our pursuit of the kingdom of God. He contrasts the violent opposition faced by Christians