耶稣高度评价施洗约翰 — 马太福音读经随笔 第11章

马太福音第十一章第1—14节里施洗约翰在狱中怀疑耶稣是不是那位要来的救世主。施洗约翰是旧约时代的最后一位先知。耶稣体恤施洗约翰在狱中的软弱，尽管听到施洗约翰的怀疑，耶稣还是当众给予了他很高的评价：他比先知大多了，他就是那位为主铺路的以利亚，凡从妇人生的，没有一个大过他的，因为他是唯一的一个先知直接做见证直接将耶稣引到人前。但天国里最小的也比他大，因为他只是新郎的朋友，而不是新妇，尽管如此，如他自己在约翰福音所说“新郎的朋友站着听见新郎的声音就甚喜乐”。 其中第12节我觉得和合本的翻译有很大的问题，其实原文的意思应该是“从施洗约翰的时候到如今，天国正在遭受暴力，暴徒正在用暴力抢夺” ，因为去天国只有通过耶稣，那是唯一通往天国的平安之路，其它的路都是暴力抢夺。
太11:2 约翰在监里听见基督所作的事、就打发两个门徒去、
Now when John heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples
太11:3 问他说、那将要来的是你么、还是我们等候别人呢。
and said to him, "Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?"
太11:4 耶稣回答说、你们去把所听见所看见的事告诉约翰．
Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:
太11:5 就是瞎子看见、瘸子行走、长大痲疯的洁净、聋子听见、死人复活、穷人有福音传给他们。
the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.
太11:6 凡不因我跌倒的、就有福了。
Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me."
太11:9 你们出去、究竟是为甚么、是要看先知么．我告诉你们、是的、他比先知大多了．
But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.
太11:10 经上记着说、『我要差遣我的使者在你前面、预备道路。』所说的就是这个人。
For this is he, of whom it is written, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.'
太11:11 我实在告诉你们、凡妇人所生的、没有一个兴起来大过施洗约翰的．然而天国里最小的、比他还大。
Most certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.太11:12 从施洗约翰的时候到如今、天国是努力进入的、努力的人就得着了。
From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.