The Hope of all the world.
v.15-16 Aware of the Jews plot on his life, Jesus left that area. In another area he healed the sick but asked that the people not reveal who he was. Jesus, knowing that his time had not yet come, wanted to avoid further escalation of the conflict with the Jews for a time.
v.17-21 Matthew quotes Is 42:1-4 to show that Jesus is fulfilling specific OT prophecies regarding the Messiah. The Christ will bring justice and hope to the world (including the gentiles).

Read Matthew 12:15-21

Healing a man on the Sabbath.
Parallel passages at Mk 3:1-6 and Lk 6:6-11.
v.9 Having had the confrontation with the Pharisees in the grain field, Jesus went into their synagogue. Jesus frequently taught in the Jew’s synagogues on the Sabbath.
v.10 Trying to trap Jesus, the Pharisees asked him if it was lawful to work by healing on the Sabbath, there was a man present with a withered hand (probably paralyzed/shrunk). The Pharisees’ rule was that healing was permitted on the Sabbath only if life was in danger. The rule, of course, had in mind doctors coming to do work and not miraculous healing. Their rule went beyond what was required in God’s law. Healing on the Sabbath was a common source of conflict with the religious authorities (see e.g., Jn 5:7-9). The Pharisees didn’t care about the poor man’s withered hand, only that their rules were followed in the smallest detail.
v.11-12 Jesus reply’s with the illustration of a sheep falling into a pit (or ravine) on the Sabbath. Would they not work to free their sheep? Of course they would. A man is much more valuable than the sheep and so it is therefore permissible (lawful) to do good by healing the man on the Sabbath.
v.13 Jesus commanded the man to stretch out his hand; when he did his hand was completely restored and made whole.
v.14 This infuriated the Pharisees, and they plotted how they might kill Jesus. The law would of course prohibit such activity.

For Christians, following Mt 11:28-30 is our fulfilment of the Sabbath requirements (rest in Jesus).

Read Matthew 12:9-14

Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath
Parallel passages: Lk 6:1-5 & Mk 2:23-28. See also Dt 23:25.
v.1-2 At an appropriate time, when Jesus was walking through grain fields on a Sabbath, his disciples were plucking heads of grain to eat. The Pharisees accused them of violating the Sabbath.
v.3-5 Jesus answered by recalling the story of David (1 Sm 21:1-9) eating the showbread in the temple (which was unlawful). And also the priests work in the temple on the Sabbath (Nm 28:9) yet are guiltless.
v.6-8 But, Jesus pointed out, something greater than the temple is present (himself). If they understood that God desires mercy not sacrifice (Hos 6:6) they would not have blamed the guiltless: “For the Son of Man is Lord (even) of the Sabbath.” The Pharisees imposed a burdensome yoke (Mt 11:29-30) on the people without compassion. Christ is the fulfillment of the Sabbath and in him we have complete rest (in the finished work of the cross).

Read Matthew 12:1-8

Rest for the weary and burdened.
Parallel passage for v.25-27 at Lk 10:21-22.
v.25-26 Jesus offers a prayer of thanksgiving to God for revealing the kingdom to the childlike rather than those who think they know something. The kingdom of heaven requires faith and humility. Only those who receive the kingdom as a little child will enter in, Lk 18:17.
v.27 No one has seen God the Father except God the Son (Jn 1:18 and recall Mt 3:17). We are told that the Son will reveal his Father to those he chooses (those who put their trust in him). The Father has committed all things into the hand of the son (see Jn 3:35 and Mt 28:18). “All things” speaks of both authority and knowledge.
v.28-30 Great multitudes came to Jesus with their brokenness and he healed them (Mt 15:30). Here Jesus tells the hearers to come to him to (1) find rest (receive salvation), (2) to learn from him (the yoke of discipleship), and (3) serve with him (his yoke is easy, 1 Jn 5:3). Those who come to him he will not cast out (Jn 6:37).

Read Matthew 11:25-30

Woe to unrepentant cities.
Parallel passage at Lk 10:13-15.
v.20 Jesus denounces several cities, in close proximity to one another, because they had been given the light of the gospel and had seen (most of) Jesus’ mighty works but remained unrepentant. With knowledge of the truth comes greater responsibility.
v.21-22 “Woe” is used to express grief and regret but in this context also signifies judgment. Chorazin and Bethsaida were cities near Capernaum on the north end of the Sea of Galilee. Your response to Jesus’ message is what will determine your eternal fate. We are told that had the miracles been done in Tyre and Sidon, those cities would have repented in sack cloth and ashes. The residents of Chorazin and Bethsaida no doubt thought they were God’s people, but it is not people who think they are good enough that will be welcomed to God’s kingdom, but rather those who receive the gospel and repent of their sins.
v.23-24 In these verses, Capernaum is said to be brought low (though they perhaps thought themselves exalted). If the miracles done in Capernaum were done in Sodom (the epitome of a “city of sin”) it would have remained to this day. It will be more bearable at the judgment for Sodom than for Capernaum who missed her great opportunity.

Read Matthew 11:20-24

Transition (11:1)
v.1 This verse marks a transition from the previous discourse where Jesus is instructing his disciples (on their missionary work) to a new section with Jesus teaching others and doing mighty works. Jesus is said to go about preaching (see also 9:35).

Jesus and John the Baptist (11:2-19)
Parallel passage in Lk 7:18-35.
v.2-3 John was imprisoned by Herod Antipas for denouncing Herod’s immoral marriage to his brother’s wife (14:1-12). While awaiting death in prison, he hears about the things Jesus (the Christ) is doing. John sends his disciples to ask Jesus if he is the Messiah or should they look for another. John is expecting the the Messiah to usher in a messianic kingdom in which those who repent are rewarded and the evil punished (see 3:1-12).
v.4-6 Jesus points out his deeds that prove that he is the long awaited Messiah (Jn 5:36) and that the prophesied time of salvation had indeed come (the year of the Lord’s favor, Is 61:1-3). The blind see (Is 35:5), the lame walk (Is 35:6), lepers are cleansed (Is 53:4), the deaf hear (Is 29:18-19), the dead are raised (Is 26:18-19), and the poor hear the gospel preached to them (Is 61:1). While Jesus points to the old testament prophesies concerning the Messiah, he also recognizes that some aspect of his ministry is unexpected. But blessed is the one that believes anyway (lit. is not offended by me, Is 8:14-15). His own hometown toke offense at him (13:57), is this not the carpenter?
v.7-10 Jesus begins teaching the crowds about John as the disciples leave to report back to John what Jesus said and did. He asks several rhetorical questions. What did the people go out to the wilderness to see (in John), a reed shaken by the wind?, no!, a man dressed in nice clothing?, no!, a prophet? yes!, John is the one foretold by the prophet in Mal 3:1 (Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you). John is the very one who proceeds the Messiah. And Jesus is the Messiah/Christ/“Coming One”, Mt 16:16.
v.11 Jesus continues his praise of John. Of those born in the ordinary way, none has risen that is greater than John. BUT, the very least of those having received the new birth (born again), is greater still.
v.12 That the kingdom of God has suffered violence probably refers to the opposition by the religious establishment.
v.13-15 All the prophets and the law prophesied until John indicates a closing of the old age and the initiation of the church age. John was the coming of Elijah (Mt 17:10-13 and Mal 4:5). Take care to understand this (he who has ears to hear).
v.16-19 Wisdom is justified by her children. The people rejected Jesus because he did not conform to their expectations. They are like selfish children, always wanting things their own way.

Read Matthew 11:1-19

Rewards
v.40 Receiving a disciple is like receiving Jesus because the disciple bears Christ’s message and authority (much like an ambassador). And receiving Jesus is like receiving the Father. See Mk 9:37, Lk 9:48, Jn 12:44-45 for similar statements.
v.41 A prophet is someone who speaks for God. If you receive a prophet and his message you will share in the prophets reward.
v.42 There is also a reward for receiving children because of their commitment to Christ. See for example Mt 18:10.

Read Matthew 10:40-42

Not peace, but a sword
v.34-36 Jesus says he came not to bring peace but rather a sword. Man against father, woman against mother. Christians will suffer persecutions from their own family. This was especially the case with Jewish Christians in the days this gospel is written. The Jews in those days expected the coming of the Messiah to be accompanied by peace and prosperity. Likewise in our day many in the church expect Jesus to bring peace (and/or prosperity). But we live in a world hostile to the true disciple of Jesus. There is untold suffering of Christians in the world today. See Lk 12:51-53 and Mi 7:6.
v.37 Jesus further explains that whoever loves father or mother (or son/daughter) more than him is not worthy of the kingdom. This is a hard teaching because we love our children. We must love our family and friends to be sure, but we must love Jesus supremely (Carson, Matthew).
v.38 We must follow Jesus in the face of possible rejection as when Jesus was rejected and carried his own cross. Mt 16:24 says we are to take up our cross and follow Jesus. Also Mk 8:34, Lk 9:23 and Lk 14:27. “Take up your cross” involves loving him and being willing to follow him no matter what the social or physical consequences.
v.39 As in Mt 16:25, Jesus here teaches that we find life (in the age to come) by losing our lives (perhaps disciplined self denial) for his sake. Here we are talking about discipleship and accepting or rejecting Jesus in this life has eternal consequences.

Read Matthew 10:34-39