Matt. 5:19 & Matt. 11:11... Why? (crucified, Gospel, women, Revelation)

[katjonjj]

Matthew 5:19 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Why are the commandment breakers and the commandment practicers in the same kingdom?

Matthew 11:11 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Why is the least in the kingdom (Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same) greater than JTB?

[jessep28]

A lot of times it helps to view verses in context to understand what they are trying to communicate. Individual verses are just snapshots of a larger picture. I don't know if this will help, but here are a couple snippets from Paul Kretzmann's Popular Commentary (I bolded the verses to separate them from the commentary):

MATTHEW CHAPTER 5

In the mean time all men should know: V. 19. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Here is a conclusion. Since the above is Christ's view, He is bound to take His stand with reference to the transgressors of that rule. He that dissolves, abrogates, sets aside even those commandments that seem small and of little import, he that disregards as much as one of the little horns or hooks, whose presence or absence may, indeed, change the meaning of an entire passage, falls under Christ's sentence of condemnation, he is declared to be the least in the kingdom of heaven. The sincerity of his convictions will not be accepted as an excuse, and his fault will only be made greater by his extending the false opinion he holds by means of teaching. He shall be called the least, he shall be rejected in this kingdom, he shall be excluded from its glories. On the other hand, he that teaches in entire conformity with the Old Testament, that preaches not only the Gospel, but the Law in its great purpose of preparing the hearts, that keeps silence with regard to nothing, that does not add thereto nor take therefrom, he shall have a great name in the kingdom of heaven, he shall receive the reward of faithfulness. For this teaching is essential in educating men as to the true righteousness of life, in holding up before the Christians a proper rule of conduct.

MATTHEW CHAPTER 11

The application of these truths: V. 11. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist; notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. In solemn terms Christ gives His own valuation of the worth of John the Baptist. Not only has no greater prophet than John arisen, but among all mankind there is none that approaches him in capacity to render effective service to the kingdom of God. And yet, "he who is comparatively less in the kingdom of heaven, according to the standard of that kingdom, or who occupies a lower place in it, is greater than John, in respect of the development of his faith and spiritual life." 98) Every lowly disciple of the new dispensation is greater than John the Baptist. For John did not see the day of Christ; his career came to an end before Jesus entered into His glory. And so the children of the present covenant that have the entire fulfillment of the prophecy, Christ crucified and resurrected, before their eyes, have a still more perfect revelation and a more powerful light than John.

[katjonjj]

Originally Posted by jessep28

A lot of times it helps to view verses in context to understand what they are trying to communicate. Individual verses are just snapshots of a larger picture. I don't know if this will help, but here are a couple snippets from Paul Kretzmann's Popular Commentary (I bolded the verses to separate them from the commentary):

MATTHEW CHAPTER 5



MATTHEW CHAPTER 11

Thank you for the response, however, it seems the commentary doesn't answer the first question.

It assumes that the kingdom dwellers are all believers. I don't see that. Why would a believer teach others to break commands?

[hljc]

The both of these people who break the commandment and teach others to break them and people who obey the commandments are in the same Kingdom of God because both must have gave their lives in covenant with the Lord and those who broke away from the commandments are still in the Kingdom of God because is Jesus is gracious to wait until believers endure to the end of their days and repent and turn from all unrighteousness...... Even told believer to keep the disobedient believer in the flock and at the harvest Jesus said He will send His angels to gather up the weeds and take them out and burn them, so leave them in ..... See there is No condemnation out of the Holy Spirit , but if is unbearable for Holy Spirit to abide in sin then He will let the believer fall into curses and demons will challenge the believer until he turns back to Christ authority...... When a new believers come to Christ he is to resist sin and learn to resist sin and Holy spirit will teach him of His authority , he does not have to come to Christ sinless, there is no condemnation for sin ............. For Matthew 11:11 ... At the time of Jesus statement there were nobody in Heaven apart from the Lord and his Holy Angels , as the promise was not fulfilled .......