Matthew 11:1–30 reveals resistance to Jesus—unbelieving hearers (Matthew 11:16–19), people from Galilean cities (Matthew 11:20–24), and the doubting John the Baptist (Matthew 11:3)—but Jesus himself never doubted for a moment that he had been sent by the Father (Matthew 11:25–30). Matthew 11:1–6 shows John’s doubt of Jesus’ identity, but Jesus affirms his own glory as the fulfillment of Scripture. Matthew 11:7–15 reveals Jesus’ response to John’s ministry as part of the unfolding of the kingdom of God, implying that Israel must learn to see that Jesus is the Messiah of which John was the herald.
Matthew 11:1–30 speaks in no uncertain terms concerning the resistance that Jesus experienced during this time. The people (Matthew 11:16–19) as well as the cities of Galilee (Matthew 11:20–24) refuse to repent and believe. Even John the Baptist himself had his doubts at the time (Matthew 11:3), and yet as we read later on in the chapter, Jesus himself never doubted for a moment that he had been sent by the Father (Matthew 11:25–30).1
In the conclusion of Matthew 11:1–30, Jesus will eventually provide an overview of the results of his ministry. For a better understanding thereof. Matthew 11:1–6 highlights the outworking of the preaching and the miracles of Jesus in the lives of various people. First with John the Baptist. In these things we see the suffering of Jesus (in doubt and apostasy), but also his glory. He is not discouraged, but corrects John by showing him his life in light of Scripture.2
Matthew 11:7–15 in turn constitutes an intermezzo in which Jesus, in response to John’s ministry, enlightens the Jews regarding the unfolding of the kingdom of God. This in turn prepares the way for the proclamation that Jesus is the Messiah. Israel must learn to understand what is happening right before their eyes by paying attention to the signs of the times so as to see how God is now beginning to reveal his grace to his people in Christ. In this way, the location of this passage in the Gospel of Matthew becomes evident as part of a larger section on the impression made by Jesus’ preaching on his immediate audience.3
1 Lorsque Jésus eut achevé de donner ses instructions à ses douze disciples, il partit de là, pour enseigner et prêcher dans les villes du pays.