When Jesus begins preaching, he picks up the message of John the Baptist, “Repent for the Kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 3:2, 4:17). But before he begins teaching the many stories (parables) of what the Kingdom of heaven is like, he offers a somewhat confusing reflection of how the gospel message has been received so far. “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence*, and violent people have been raiding it.” (Matthew 11:12). The phrase “subjected to violence” (NIV) is sometimes translated as “forcefully advancing” (e.g NLT). So which is it? Is the kingdom pressing forward forcefully, or is it on the receiving end of violence? Are people laying hold of it or attacking it? Or is it both?
- Post author:Dave Dennis
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