“Matthew 11–12; Luke 11,” Scripture Helps: New Testament (2024)
Scripture Helps
Matthew 11–12; Luke 11
The Savior praised the greatness of John the Baptist. He promised to give rest to those who come unto Him with their heavy burdens. Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath, and the Pharisees accused Him of casting out devils by Satan’s power. The Savior warned about blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. He gave guidance on prayer and testified of His power to cast out evil spirits. He reproved Pharisees and lawyers for hypocrisy.
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Background and Context
Did John the Baptist doubt that Jesus was the Messiah?
While John the Baptist was in prison, he sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus if He was the Messiah. Jesus told these disciples to return to John and testify of the miracles they had seen the Savior perform. John may have sent his disciples so they could learn for themselves that Jesus truly was the Messiah. But it is also possible that John, despite the witnesses he had received, needed reassurance as well. Regardless, Jesus praised John as greater than a prophet.
What made John the Baptist such a great prophet?
The Prophet Joseph Smith explained why John the Baptist is considered one of the greatest prophets:
“First. He was entrusted with a divine mission of preparing the way before the face of the Lord. Whoever had such a trust committed to him before or since? No man.
“Secondly. He was entrusted with the important mission, and it was required at his hands, to baptize the Son of Man. Whoever had the honor of doing that? Whoever had so great a privilege and glory? …
“Thirdly. John, at that time, was the only legal administrator in the affairs of the kingdom there was then on the earth, and holding the keys of power. … These three reasons constitute him the greatest prophet born.”
How was John the Baptist an Elias?
The following entries address this question: “Luke 1:17. What is meant by the ‘spirit and power of Elias’?” and “John 1:19–28. ‘Art thou Elias’?” The Joseph Smith Translation of Matthew 11:15 also provides additional insight: “And if ye will receive it, verily, he was the Elias, who was for to come and prepare all things.”
What is meant by the phrase “children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows”?
Jesus compared the Jewish people of His time to children playing games in the marketplace. When pretending to celebrate a wedding, children complained when playmates didn’t dance. When they pretended to hold a funeral, they complained when playmates didn’t mourn. The comparison suggests that the people of Jesus’s time were treating religion like a childish game: They found fault with John the Baptist and Jesus Christ for not following their made-up rules and expectations. They complained that John was too strict in living his religion. When Jesus came and freely socialized with others, they complained that He was not strict or holy enough.
What does a yoke represent?
In biblical times, people often carried heavy objects on their shoulders. These objects included waterpots, clothing, stones, and lambs. People would place very heavy objects on the shoulders of large animals, like oxen. In this context, “shoulders became a symbol for labor, burdens, and responsibilities.”
A yoke is like a collar resting on the shoulders of the oxen. It binds animals side by side so they can work together to pull loads that they could not pull on their own. In this context, a yoke is symbolic of the covenant relationship that binds us to the Savior. Being yoked with Christ allows us to draw on His power so we don’t have to bear life’s burdens alone.
What does it mean that “it is lawful to do well on the sabbath”?
See “Mark 2:23–28. Why did the scribes and Pharisees object to the disciples’ actions on the Sabbath?”
Who is Beelzebub?
In scripture, Beelzebub is used as a title for the chief of the demons, or Satan.
What is the message of “the strong man” being bound?
In this verse, “the strong man” represents the devil, and the man who binds the strong man represents Jesus Christ. When the Savior cast out devils, it showed that He has power over Satan. Elder James E. Talmage explained: “Christ had attacked the stronghold of Satan, had driven his evil spirits from the human [bodies] of which they had unwarrantably taken possession; how could Christ have done this had He not first subdued the ‘strong man,’ the master of devils, Satan himself?”
What is “blasphemy against the Holy Ghost”?
The sin of “blasphemy against the Holy Ghost” is also referred to in scripture as “denying the Holy Ghost” or “the unpardonable sin.”
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “What must a man do to commit the unpardonable sin? He must receive the Holy Ghost, have the heavens opened unto him, and know God, and then sin against him.” The Prophet continued: “All sins shall be forgiven except the sin against the Holy Ghost. After a man has sinned against the Holy Ghost, there is no repentance for him. He has got to say that the sun does not shine while he sees it; he has got to deny Jesus Christ when the heavens were open to him. And from that time, they begin to be enemies.”
The Joseph Smith Translation clarifies that in verses 43–45, the Savior was teaching about the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost.
What is wrong with seeking signs?
On one occasion, the Prophet Joseph Smith taught, “Faith comes not by signs, but by hearing the word of God.”
The Lord will provide us with confirming evidence of all gospel truths as we act in faith. But those whose belief is conditioned on outward evidence of God’s power seek to circumvent faith. They want proof without price. They seek the results without accepting the responsibility.
What is the meaning of the “men of Nineveh” and the “queen of the south”?
The phrase “men of Nineveh” refers to the ancient inhabitants of Nineveh, who were enemies of Israel. Jonah, an Israelite, was called to preach repentance to them. The men of Nineveh heeded his warnings and repented. The “queen of the south” refers to the queen of Sheba. Though not an Israelite, she had great respect for Solomon, the Israelite king.
The Savior referred to the men of Nineveh and the queen of Sheba while rebuking the Pharisees for failing to believe in Him. Jesus Christ is “greater than Jonas,” or Jonah, and “greater than Solomon.” Yet the Jewish leaders, who were of Israelite descent and ought to have known better, refused to honor and obey Jesus Christ.
What is the message of the parable of the friend who came at midnight?
At first, the friend in the parable refused to give the man bread because of the late hour. He and his children were already in bed. It was the man’s persistent asking rather than their friendship that convinced the friend to eventually arise and give him bread.
The friend to whom the man went for bread represents our Heavenly Father. The parable teaches that while Heavenly Father does love us, it is our persistent, righteous, and faithful prayers that open the doors of heaven. The Joseph Smith Translation adds an introduction to the parable that helps clarify this message: “Your heavenly Father will not fail to give unto you whatsoever ye ask of him.”
Learn More
John the Baptist
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Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 79–87
Taking the Savior’s Yoke upon Us
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Russell M. Nelson, “Overcome the World and Find Rest,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 95–98
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J. Anette Dennis, “His Yoke Is Easy and His Burden Is Light,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 80–83
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David A. Bednar, “Bear Up Their Burdens with Ease,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 87–90
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“Take My Yoke upon You,” Ensign, Sept. 2013, 22–23
Media
Videos
“A House Divided” (6:00)
“The Lord’s Yoke” (3:12)
Images
John Preaching in the Wilderness, by Del Parson
John the Baptist Preaching in the Wilderness, by Robert T. Barrett
Christ Healing the Man with the Withered Hand, by Robert T. Barrett