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Time after Pentecost · Reformation Day · Year B

Matthew 11:12-19

Jesus and John the Baptist

October 31, 2027

Saint John the Baptist in Prison Visited by Two Disciples, Giovanni di Paolo
Saint John the Baptist in Prison Visited by Two Disciples, Giovanni di Paolo, c. 1455–1460Art Institute of Chicago
A Sienese panel from a series on the Baptist's life, with the prison drawn as a pink stone box and the disciples leaning in at a grille.This is the scene the reading describes: John, locked up, sending to ask whether he was right about who Jesus was.Giovanni di PaoloA Sienese painter who ignored the Florentine Renaissance entirely and kept gold grounds and strange colour into old age.Art Institute of ChicagoFounded in 1879 as both a museum and a school, and the home of American Gothic and of a famous Impressionist collection.Art Institute of Chicago
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelJohn 8:31-36Jn 8:31-36Alt. GospelMatt. 11:12-19Mt 11:12-19
EpistleRom. 3:19-28Rom 3:19-28
Old TestamentRev. 14:6-7Rev 14:6-7
PsalterPs. 46Ps 46

Overview & Insights

“Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (Matthew 11:3)

Matthew demonstrates Jesus to be the Messiah, who signals the kingdom’s arrival by his acts of healing and preaching of good news and confounds human expectations by embodying the wisdom of God.

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Take it further: Matthew 11:12-19

Commentary

Matthew 11 CommentaryMt 11 Commentary Enduring Word

David Guzik's chapter commentary covering John the Baptist and this reading's 'violence' saying.

Matthew 11 CommentaryMt 11 Commentary Precept Austin

A verse by verse evangelical commentary on John the Baptist's ministry and Jesus' response.

Background & Word Study

Matthew 11:12-19 (Reformation Day essay)Mt 11:12-19 (Reformation Day essay) Concordia Seminary Scholar (scholar.csl.edu)

A Lutheran academic essay written specifically for this Reformation Day gospel.

Matthew 11:12-19 (Reformation Day essay, second author)Mt 11:12-19 (Reformation Day essay, second author) Concordia Seminary Scholar (scholar.csl.edu)

A second Lutheran academic essay on the same Reformation Day text from a different author.

Matthew 11:12 CommentariesMt 11:12 Commentaries Bible Hub

An aggregator of classic commentaries keyed to this exact verse.

The Church Fathers

Matthew 11:12Mt 11:12 Catena Bible

Patristic comment on the kingdom of heaven suffering violence, keyed to this verse.

Sermons & Reflections

Chapel Sermon: Matthew 11:12-19Chapel Sermon: Mt 11:12-19 Concordia Seminary Scholar (scholar.csl.edu)

A preached chapel sermon on this exact Reformation Day gospel.

Gospel: Matthew 11:12-19 (Reformation Sunday: Series A)Gospel: Mt 11:12-19 (Reformation Sunday: Series A) 1517.org

A Lutheran preaching reflection written directly for this Reformation Day reading.

Worship & Prayers

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God - Hymn Feature LCMS Resources

A hymn feature on Luther's Reformation hymn, sung on the day this gospel is appointed.

Podcast

Matthew 11:12-19, 'To What Shall I Compare This Generation' (Pastors' Roundtable)Mt 11:12-19, 'To What Shall I Compare This Generation' (Pastors' Roundtable) Issues, Etc.

An LCMS radio roundtable discussion built directly around this passage.

Study Hub

Matthew 11:12 (KJV with Strong's)Mt 11:12 (KJV with Strong's) Blue Letter Bible

An interlinear and lexicon study tool keyed to this reading's key verse.

Barnes' Notes on Matthew 11Barnes' Notes on Mt 11 StudyLight

Classic verse-by-verse notes on the violent taking the kingdom and the children in the marketplace.

Questions preachers ask

Why does John the Baptist question from prison?

Imprisoned and awaiting death, John sends to ask if Jesus is the Coming One; Jesus answers by pointing to his works, the blind see, the poor hear good news, the very signs Isaiah promised.

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