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Explanation for:
Matthew
11
:
13
For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John:
9
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Indeed, if all things were accomplished prior to John, it signifies that I am indeed arriving. The law and the prophets, as He states, had already proclaimed before John's time. Hence, the prophets would not have ceased to exist if my coming had not taken place. Therefore, do not extend your expectations far into the future, nor look for another Messiah. My arrival is made evident both by the cessation of the prophets and by the daily increase in faith in Me; it has become so apparent that many are in awe. But you may ask, who has captivated their hearts? It is everyone who approaches Me with fervor."},{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"This does not imply that the potential for prophecy ceases with John. In fact, the Acts of the Apostles recounts that Agabus and Philip’s four daughters engaged in prophecy. What this signifies is that the law and the prophets, when they spoke about any future events as recorded in Scripture, were ultimately prophesying concerning the Lord. Thus, when it is stated that all the prophets and the law prophesied before John, it denotes the arrival of Christ, affirming that John was the herald of His coming, which had been anticipated by the prophets. All the prophets and the law prophesied before John, not to suggest that the prophets and the law come to an end in John, but rather that this culmination points to the one to whom John bore witness in his message."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"The progression remains consistent with what was mentioned earlier. The Lord declares: ‘I am the One who is to come, for all the prophecies have reached their completion, yet they would not have been fulfilled had I not come; thus, do not anticipate anything further.’"},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"The law is referred to as the ancient statutes because it anticipated much concerning Christ, particularly the regulations regarding sacrifices, which were a symbol and prefiguration of the ultimate sacrifice intended for humanity. This is supported by the prophets who foretold the arrival of Christ and the law that anticipated the sacrificial lambs and sheep, continuing their declarations until the time of John. Prior to John's era, these were indeed predictions, but after that period, they transformed into actual events: John himself witnessed their realization, which is why he identified Christ as the Lamb, proclaiming, \\"Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world\\" (John 1:29). Christ spoke these words to commend John for being the first to recognize the fulfillment of these prophecies, acknowledging John's role as a prophet, and to emphasize that the One the prophets foretold had already arrived, with no further expectation needed. Another interpretation indicates that all the prophets and the law had prophesied to the Jewish people up until John, who was the final prophet; thereafter, there were no further prophecies directed at them. Thus, he, as the last prophet, is to be believed, for he testified abundantly about Me and guided many souls to Me, akin to how friends of the bridegroom escort their brides. Consequently, the prophet Malachi referred to him as a messenger meant to prepare the way before Me (Malachi 3:1)."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"ALL THE PROPHETS OF MOSES' LAW, from whom the prophetic tradition commenced and who foretold My coming through sacrificial symbols, RECEIVED THEIR COMMISSION PRIOR TO JOHN: the line of prophets continued until him, and he was the culmination of their declarations, with the ultimate realization of these prophecies unveiled in the Kingdom of God. Had I not manifested, the prophetic voices would have persisted. Thus, do not anticipate another Savior; I am the One destined to come. Observe, the throngs pursue Me fervently, eager to hear My teachings about the Kingdom of Heaven, and to experience its glory thereafter. This pattern will endure until the end of time, and it will always be essential to embrace acts of repentance and diligently strive in one's spirit to gain entry into My blessed kingdom."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The longing for the kingdom of heaven has been fervent since the arrival of John, as indicated by the prophets and the law. Prior to John, the prophets of the Old Testament foretold the coming of the Messiah; John serves as the final prophet of that era while also preparing the way for Christ. Thus, this intense yearning for the Messiah's kingdom could only emerge with John's ministry, marking the conclusion of the Old Testament prophetic era, during which he proclaimed that the kingdom of the Messiah was not just approaching but was already present. The law began with Moses, the lawgiver of the Old Testament, initiating the prophetic age (see John 5:46, Acts 7:37, Rom. 10:6, Rom. 11:19). Although prophecy is not integral to the law, it is significant that the law is mentioned after the prophets."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Pharisees and legalists continue to await the Messiah foretold by God through Moses and the prophets. All the prophets and the law proclaimed until John: \\"But from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.\\" The Old Testament prophets heralded the arrival of the Messiah, with Malachi being the last, indicating that a messenger would be sent to prepare the path for Him. John the Baptist came, declaring the nearness of the kingdom of heaven and calling the people to prepare for the promised Savior through repentance and baptism, ultimately identifying Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. With the arrival of Jesus Christ, the prophetic voice was to be silenced, as it had completed its mission and had communicated God’s will in due time. Thus, the expectation for the kingdom was fulfilled, and the pursuit to enter it commenced. However, mere negation of sinful actions—such as not murdering, stealing, committing adultery, or bearing false witness—is insufficient for entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. Instead, positive virtues are required, such as self-sacrificial love even toward one’s enemies and charity toward all. This necessitates not only the avoidance of sin but also the active performance of good deeds for the benefit of others. Achieving this entails effort and struggle against personal desires and temptations, making entry into this kingdom more challenging than the Jews imagined. Though the kingdom of heaven drew near with John's arrival and was made evident with Christ's coming, it is only those who strive to achieve the perfection He outlined—who earnestly endeavor to take the kingdom by force—who will enter. This endeavor is central to the Lord's teaching on salvation. Unfortunately, many, including various Protestant sects and some Orthodox Christians, overlook this truth.\\n\\nSome Orthodox Christians express complete distrust in human agency, asserting that individuals cannot contribute to their salvation. They cite the Lord’s words, “without Me you can do nothing.” However, this interpretation stems from a misunderstanding of Christ’s analogy, where He compares Himself to a vine and His followers to its branches. He stated, \\"I am the vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser... and ye are the branches.\\" Just as a branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it is connected to the vine, so Christ’s followers can only yield spiritual fruit if they live in unity with Him, drawing sustenance from the same spiritual nourishment that empowered Him through submission to the Father’s will. Christ not only instructed us on obeying God's will but also exemplified this obedience in His life, serving as our model. Without striving to emulate Him and following His life example, we truly cannot achieve salvation. Imitating Christ means adhering to all His commandments, demanding human effort to overcome personal weaknesses and resist temptations.\\n\\nTherefore, the Lord’s teachings do not justify dismissing our own strength. Certainly, human capacity is limited; we cannot achieve salvation without divine aid and God’s gracious mercy. Just as a vine branch may suffer from pests or disease that it cannot manage alone, requiring the vinedresser’s intervention, so too do we need the assistance of our heavenly Vinedresser in our battle against temptations. When we seek His help, it is granted, for the Lord assured us, “Ask, and it will be given to you.” Yet, it becomes clear that without following Christ’s example and effort toward sanctification in conjunction with His grace, salvation remains unattainable.\\n\\nConsequently, it is a grave error for Orthodox Christians to exhibit doubt in human agency, expecting salvation solely through divine mercy. They overlook a crucial principle of Christ’s teaching—that the Kingdom of Heaven is taken by those who earnestly strive for it. It is not acquired through physical force as earthly kingdoms are, but its gates open only for those who work diligently to render themselves worthy of it. Conversely, those who rely solely on their faith without striving for self-improvement will find the gates barred, and they will face the Lord’s words: \\"Truly, I say to you, I do not know you! Depart from Me!\\" This message is direct and unambiguous, repeated frequently by Christ. He illustrated it through parables, stating, “Wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it; but narrow is the gate and difficult is the way that leads to life, and few find it.”\\n\\nFurther confirming this truth, the Lord implored, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” Many will desire to enter too late; they will knock and plead for the door to be opened, citing their faith, their understanding of His sacrificial work, and familiarity with His teachings. Yet, all these pleas will be in vain; they have failed to put forth the effort required to be worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven. Thus, the gates will remain closed, and they will hear the verdict: \\"Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.\\" In the parable of the ten virgins awaiting the bridegroom, the Lord referred to such carelessness as foolishness, declaring they would hear the same judgment: \\"Get away! I don't know you.\\" Similarly, in the parable of the talents, Christ explained that those who do not utilize even their smallest gifts—strength endowed to them for striving toward the kingdom—will find the gates closed to them, regardless of their belief in Him as Lord, because they buried their talents rather than using them to unlock the kingdom.\\n\\nAll these teachings from the Lord affirm that the Kingdom of Heaven is indeed seized by those who actively combat their passions, investing considerable effort in their spiritual struggle to emerge victorious. The Kingdom of Heaven awaits those who diligently cultivate and exercise their spiritual strength as directed by Christ. A person who has honed his willpower through struggles and emerged victorious gains an ability to master his desires, rendering the temptations ineffective; the tempter avoids such an individual, having been rendered unfit for sin. Nevertheless, despite all such efforts, divine assistance remains essential; without it, one cannot even draw near to the Kingdom’s gates. Entrance is ultimately facilitated by our Lord Jesus Christ, who bore the sins of those seeking Him through His redemptive sacrifice. Thus, while the Kingdom of Heaven is pursued with earnest effort, this pursuit cannot be divorced from the necessity of God's help."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In the Pentateuch and through the prophets, the people were prepared to welcome the anticipated Savior. John marked the conclusion of the Old Testament era, affirming, as the Lord indicated, ‘do not stretch your hopes far away and do not expect another; if everything was fulfilled before John, then I am the coming one.’ John Chrysostom emphasized that all the law and the prophets spoke prior to John, highlighting that he was not the culmination of their teachings but rather the Forerunner of the Messiah. He was filled with the spirit and zeal reminiscent of the great prophet Elijah, as noted in Luke 1:17. The prophet Malachi prophesied the coming of Elijah before the significant day of the Lord (Malachi 4:5-6), which led the Jewish people to anticipate the appearance of Elijah, Jeremiah, or another prophet preceding the Messiah (Matthew 16:14; 17:10; John 1:21). The Lord identified this Elijah in John, urging them to recognize him. He called them to pay close attention to the words spoken about John, declaring: He who has ears to hear, let him hear."},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Since the days of John the Baptist, the kingdom of heaven has been sought after with intensity, as stated, “the kingdom of heaven has been taken by force” (Lk. 16:16), and it is the earnest seekers who grasp it. The term “taken by force” implies a vigorous and determined effort. This interpretation is supported by the fact that Luke uses the term “evangelized” in place of it and highlights that the marginalized are welcomed into the kingdom of God. Thus, the reference pertains to the spiritual advancement towards God’s kingdom that has taken place since John the Baptist's ministry. This phrase illustrates both the challenges that the Jewish people confronted in their pursuit of God’s kingdom, shaped by their earthly expectations of the Messiah and His reign, and the moral struggle they needed to engage in to navigate these challenges. All the prophets and the Law pointed towards the coming of John, who prepared the way for the Messiah, marking the commencement of the evangelization of the Messianic kingdom and humanity's longing for it. John is acknowledged as the Elijah who is prophesied to come into the world, as one must recognize his role in this unfolding of divine purpose."}]}
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