Two views of how the kingdom of heaven suffered since the days of John the Baptist:
The first sentence of Matthew 11:12 means that since John’s ministry, the kingdom, forcefully advancing, like a powerful storm, has dealt a mighty blow to Satan’s dominion (Matthew 11:4–5; Matthew 12:28–29).
The violence spoken of is that committed by Herod, who incarcerated John as Christ’s herald, as well as the Jewish leaders turning against Jesus, accusing him of breaking the Sabbath and claiming he deserves death. All this follows John’s public ministry, when so many thronged to the wilderness to hear him. A new era of opposition and denial has begun. Plots are being formed against both John and Jesus.
In Matthew 11:12, Jesus describes this as an assault on the kingdom of heaven. At first it may be puzzling how anyone could attack God’s kingdom. Such an attack is only possible if the king himself chooses to endure pressure, suffering, and even arrest. And that is precisely what is now being planned.
Interpretation 1:
The first sentence of Matthew 11:12 means that since the ministry of John the Baptist the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing with power, like a violent storm, and has successfully dealt a mighty blow to the dominion of Satan (Matthew 11:4–5; Matthew 12:28–29).1
Interpretation 2:
The violence spoken of here is that committed by Herod Antipas, who incarcerated John as the herald of Christ, as well as the reality that the Jewish leaders, with all their influence, now turn against Jesus, accusing him of breaking the Sabbath and claiming he deserves death. This marks the period following John’s public ministry, when all Israel streamed out into the wilderness to hear him. The days when people could go into the wilderness in hope of great things have passed, and a new era has begun—an era marked by opposition and denial. Plots are being formed against both John and Jesus.
In Matthew 11:12, Jesus describes this reality as an assault on the kingdom of heaven. At first this may sound puzzling—how can anyone attack God’s kingdom? Such an attack is only possible if the king himself chooses to endure pressure, suffering, and even arrest. And that is precisely what is now being contemplated.2
12 Depuis le temps de Jean-Baptiste jusqu'à présent, le royaume des cieux est forcé, et ce sont les violents qui s'en s'emparent.