3715 — The Violent Take by Force
By Editor
Please explain through your paper how we should understand Matt. 11:12. "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." The margin reads, "is gotten by force," instead of "suffereth violence." In other words, it required very earnest striving, and breaking away from numerous traditions, as was manifest in the crowds that came to John to enter the kingdom of heaven. "Strive ye," said Jesus (literally, "agonize"), "to enter in." Luke expresses the same thought in chapter 16:16, "and every man presseth into it." That is, he puts forth mighty effort. It cost that to break away from all the traditions of the Jews, all the handicaps which they had put upon the religion of the Lord Jesus Christ. But those who were earnest and diligent were the ones that laid hold of the kingdom. Alford expresses it thus: "From the days of John the Baptist until now — that is, inclusively from the beginning of his preaching — the kingdom of heaven is pressed into, and violent persons — eager, ardent multitudes — seize on it." "We have abundant proof, from the multitudes who followed and out-went Him (Christ) and thronged the doors where He was, and would take Him by force to make Him a king." This is not particularly to commend the efforts of these very earnest persons, but to show how easily they might "go to Him who said, 'Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.'"