Matthew 11:12: Taking the Kingdom by Force?

From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.

This statement from Jesus comes in the middle of a speech about John the Baptist. At first reading it seems out of place. Exactly what does Jesus mean by the kingdom of heaven suffering violence and being taken by force?

The Context

John the Baptist is in prison, very much aware that his end is near. He has heard about Jesus’s works and sends messengers to ask if he is “the one who is to come.” John knew Jesus; they were related (Luke 1:36), and John earlier referred to him as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Perhaps this was a moment of doubt? Maybe John wanted reassurance as he faced death that he had not been mistaken? John was, after all, human, though greatly blessed by God.

When Jesus sends back the messengers with an affirmation, he turns to the crowds and talks to them about John the Baptist. He asks them about their expectations. Did they expect to see a reed shaken by the wind, or a man in soft or fancy clothing? Those who knew John would have laughed. He was anything but either of these! Indeed, this description better fitted Herod Antipas (whose coin depicted him holding a reed), the one who ordered John’s imprisonment. Jesus goes on to quote Exodus 23:20 and Malachi 3:1 to assert that John was Elijah returned (at least in spirit) as was foretold.

Jesus then says there has never been anyone greater than John the Baptizer. But the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than him.

From the Days of John the Baptist until Now

Jesus says that the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence “from the days of John the Baptist until now.” If John the Baptist’s ministry started shortly before Jesus’s, then this period of time would be only a few years. But is that what Jesus means?

First, consider John the Baptist’s situation at that time. He was in prison because he had called Herod out for taking his brother’s wife. He faced certain death, knowing that such opposition wouldn’t be satisfied with anything less than his blood. And so it came to be.

John the Baptist was the climax of the old covenant prophets. In John, as the one coming in the spirit of Elijah, old covenant foretelling of the Messiah came to end. His was the final voice pointing directly to Jesus as that Messiah. And like his predecessors, John led a rough life and was roughly treated. After all, generally speaking the prophets came with warnings and calls to repentance. These were necessary, but they didn’t make the prophet very popular. Hence, their proclamations of the coming kingdom were met with violence.

The Least in the Kingdom is Greater than He

Jesus is looking at the way things are at that moment*. Violent people come after the kingdom of heaven as represented by the spokespeople of that kingdom, the prophets. But a new era has dawned. The Messiah has come. Those who put their faith in Jesus are now part of the kingdom over which the Messiah has taken his place as king. Now, even the very least in the kingdom is greater than John.

In Matthew 13:11, Jesus tells his disciples that the secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given to them, and not to those who cannot grasp his parables. He goes on to tell them the kingdom of heaven is like good seed that at the harvest is gathered into the barn and not cast into the fire. It’s like a grain of mustard that though very small becomes the largest of plants and a home for birds. The kingdom is also like a treasure that a man will sell all his has to buy the field in which it’s buried. Or a merchant who will sell all he has to buy the greatest pearl. Or a net that gathers all kinds of fish, but only the choice are kept (Matthew 13:24-50).

This is what it means to be a part of the kingdom of heaven. That kingdom is now made up of God’s covenant people who have surrendered themselves to Christ’s lordship to be a part of it. Those who are his covenant people are redeemed by Christ’s blood. As a result, they become co-heirs with him, adopted as God’s children (Romans 8:15-17). This is a present reality that former prophets looked forward to, and even angels longed to see (1 Peter 1:10-12).

Children in the Marketplace

Jesus speech concludes with a criticism of the current generation and its unbelief. He likens it to children sitting in the marketplace playing music but those to whom they play won’t join in the dancing or mourning. The people for whom they play are God’s messengers, the prophets, who do not fit their expectations. They are not reeds in the wind and do not wear fine clothing. Instead they suffer the mocking and rebuke of those they come to warn. Such was the fate of John the Baptist.

Jesus would also suffer at the hands of a generation that rejected him. But wisdom is vindicated by what Jesus did in dying for his people and conquering death for them. This is the kingdom of heaven, the present possession and future hope of all who are in Christ.

* I would also suggest that Matthew intends his readers to see Jesus’s words extending beyond the time in which he spoke to the present, that is, the reader’s present. There will always be violent people coming after those representing God’s kingdom. But those who are in Christ have nothing to fear from this. Jesus is on his throne.