Matthew 11:28-30

NOTES ON MATTHEW 11:28-30

Our Rest: Given and Found

Matthew 11:28 Come¹²⁰⁵ unto⁴³¹⁴ Me,³¹⁶⁵ all³⁹⁵⁶ ye that labour²⁸⁷² and²⁵³² are heavy laden,⁵⁴¹² and I²⁵⁰⁴ will give you rest.^{373, 5209}

Come: From G1204 and an imperative of εἶμι eimi (to go); come hither![S] Come hither, come here.[CW] Come, etc., here Christ refers, not to sins, but to service; not to guilt, but to labour; not to the conscience, but to the heart; not to repentance, but to learning; not to finding forgiveness, but to finding rest in His yoke.[B]

unto: A strengthened form of G4253; a preposition of direction; forward to, that is, toward (with the genitive case the side of, that is, pertaining to; with the dative case by the side of, that is, near to; usually with the accusative case the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, that is, whither or for which it is predicated).[S] Towards, of literal and mental direction, in reference to, in order to, with a view to, as an end, (marking the ultimate purpose).[B] Come unto Me—Here He shows to whom He is pleased to reveal [verse 25] these things to the weary and heavy laden.[JW]

all: Here limited to those seeking “rest”.[B]

ye that labour: From a derivative of G2873 [i.e., toil (as reducing the strength)]; to feel fatigue; by implication to work hard.[S] To work, give effort.[SS] To labor with wearisome effort, to toil (of bodily labor).[CW] To toil; to be burdened.[W] The Present Participle expresses a continuous or repeated action. It does not indicate in itself the time of the action, but when its relationship to the main verb is temporal, it usually signifies action contemporary with that of the main verb.[KWSB]

are heavy laden: From G5414 [i.e., something carried]; to load up (properly as a vessel or animal), that is, (figuratively) to overburden with ceremony (or spiritual anxiety).[S] To load down (with a burden); (passively) to be burdened.[SS] To be sensible of and mourn under the burden of sin.[C] Perfect Passive Participle: The Perfect Tense represents an action that was completed in the past but has continuing results. + The Passive Voice represents the subject as receiving the action of the verb and English usually forms a verb of the verb “to be” to express the passive. + The Participle is a verbal adjective.[KWSB]

will give [i.e., rest you, cause you to rest] you rest: From G303 [i.e., (distributively) severally] and G3973 [i.e., to stop (transitive or intransitive)]; (reflexively) to repose (literally or figuratively (be exempt), remain); by implication to refresh.[H373][S] To cause or permit one to cease from any movement of labor in order to recover and collect his strength, to give rest, refresh.[CW] To give rest, quiet, recreation, refresh.[WSD] His rest is given. Ours must be found in His gift. We have none to give.[B] The peace with God and their own consciences which believers enjoy in this world, having the love of God shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Ghost, witnessing their reconciliation, justification, renovation, and adoption, so that they rejoice in hope of the glory of God. “For we which have believed do enter into rest” (Hebrews 4:3).[C]

Matthew 11:29 Take¹⁴² My³⁴⁵⁰ yoke²²¹⁸ upon¹⁹⁰⁹ you,⁵²⁰⁹ and²⁵³² learn³¹²⁹ of⁵⁷⁵ Me;¹⁷⁰⁰ for³⁷⁵⁴ I am¹⁵¹⁰ meek⁴²³⁵ and²⁵³² lowly⁵⁰¹¹ in heart:²⁵⁸⁸ and²⁵³² ye shall find²¹⁴⁷ rest³⁷² unto your⁵²¹⁶ souls.⁵⁵⁹⁰

Take: A primary verb; to lift; by implication to take up or away; figuratively to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind); specifically to sail away (that is, weigh anchor); by Hebraism (compare [H5375]) to expiate sin.[S] To appropriate what is taken; to take and apply to any use.[CW] To take up and place on oneself, to take up and bear, carry.[WSD] To receive with certain affection of mind.[W]

My yoke: From the root of ζεύγνυμι zeugnumi (to join, especially by a “yoke”); a coupling, that is, (figuratively) servitude (a law or obligation); also (literally) the beam of the balance (as connecting the scales).[S] A yoke that is put on draft cattle; metaphorically used of any burden or bondage.[CW] A yoke, serving to couple any two things together, as cattle, scales, etc.[B] Metaphorically of submission to authority, of Christ’s yoke, not simply imparted by Him but shared with Him.[V] Figuratively a yoke. As denoting severe precepts, moral bondage, e.g., the Mosaic Law (Acts 15:10; Galatians 5:1); hence, by antithesis, the precepts of Christ.[WSD] Of the yoke of God’s commandments: Matthew 11:29-30, “Take my yoke upon you; for my yoke is easy”. The service of God to flesh and blood is a yoke, because it grates upon the sensitive appetites, and restrains our natural motions and inclinations; yet it is easy, in comparison of the service of sin, the covenant of works, and the ceremonial law; it is easy to them that love God, and are regenerated, because the law is written in their hearts (Psalm 37:31). They are endued with faith (Mark 9:23). And they are strengthened by Christ (Philippians 4:13).[C] Service.[W]

upon: A primary preposition properly meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution [with the genitive case], that is, over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.[S] Upon by direction towards, upon, with motion implied, rest upon, (marking the downward pressure); placed upon, as by an act.[B] Take My yoke upon you—Believe in Me: receive Me as your Prophet, Priest, and King.[JW]

learn: Prolonged from a primary verb, another form of which, μαθέω matheō, is used as an alternate in certain tenses; to learn (in any way).[S] To study, be instructed.[SS] To increase one’s knowledge, to be increased in knowledge; to learn by use and practice.[CW] To learn, intellectually from others, or from study and observation, to be informed, to understand.[B] To imitate.[C] To gain or receive knowledge; to receive instruction; to take pattern.[W] The Aorist Imperative means a command for doing something in the future that is a simple action.[KWSB]

of: A primary particle; “off”, that is, away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literally or figuratively).[S] Away from, denoting motion from the exterior; hence, denoting cause or occasion; from, on account of, by.[B] The source, meaning the person or thing from which anything proceeds or is derived. Spoken of persons from whom one hears, learns, asks anything.[WSD]

for: Neuter of G3748 as conjugation; demonstrative that (sometimes redundant); causatively because.[S] Introduces that which rests on a patent fact, that; because, inasmuch as, seeing that.[B]

I am: First person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist (used only when emphatic).[S]

meek: A form of G4239 [i.e., mild], used in certain parts; gentle, that is, humble.[S] Gentle, humble, considerate.[SS] Gentle, mild.[CW] Gentle, enduring all things with an even temper, tender, free from haughty self-sufficiency, tender of spirit.[B] Appropriately, humble, in an evangelical sense; submissive to the divine will; not proud, self-sufficient or refractory; not peevish and apt to complain of divine dispensations.[W]

lowly: Of uncertain derivation; depressed, that is, (figuratively) humiliated (in circumstances or disposition).[S] Metaphorically as a condition, lowly, of low degree, brought low with grief, depressed, lowly in spirit, humble.[CW] Humble of condition or mind.[B] Metaphorically denotes humble in spirit.[V] Humble, meek, free from pride.[W]

in heart: Prolonged from a primary κάρ kar (Latin cor, “heart”); the heart, that is, (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle.[S] The centre and seat of spiritual life, 1) the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavours; 2) of the understanding, the faculty and seat of the intelligence; 3) of the will and character.[CW]

ye shall find: A prolonged form of a primary word εὕρω heurō; which (together with another cognate form, εὑρέω heureō) is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect; to find (literally or figuratively).[S] To find by enquiry, thought, examination, scrutiny, observation; to find out by practice and experience; to be discovered, recognized, detected.[CW] To find, as without seeking, meet with, light upon. Also, to find as by search, hence, find out, discover.[B] To find for oneself, gain, procure, obtain.[V]

rest: From G373 [i.e., to repose (literally or figuratively (be exempt)]; intermission; by implication recreation [i.e., refreshment of the strength and spirits after toil].[G372][S] Resting place.[SS] Intermission, cessation of any motion, business, labor; rest, recreation.[CW] Resting up, pause, cessation from labor.[B] Cessation, refreshment; Christ’s rest is not a rest from work, but in work, “not the rest of inactivity but of the harmonious working of all the faculties and affections—of will, heart, imagination, conscience—because each has found in God the ideal sphere for its satisfaction and development.[V] In 11:28, 29, the Lord promises [Greek] anapausis (inner tranquility) to the weary and heavy laden who come to Him while they are engaged in necessary labor.[WSD] Quiet, repose; a state free from motion or disturbance; a state of reconciliation to God.[W]

unto your souls: Genitive case of G5210; of (from or concerning) you.[G5216] From G5594; breath, that is, (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from G4151, which is the rational and immortal soul; and on the other from G2222, which is mere vitality, even of plants: these terms thus exactly correspond respectively to the Hebrew [H5315], [H7307] and [H2416].[G5590][S] Mind, feelings.[WSD] Your own selves (emphatic).[B]

Take My yoke upon you. "Taking the yoke" is a symbolic expression. It means, "Submit to Me and become My disciple", for the yoke is symbolic of the condition of servitude (Jeremiah 27:11, 12; Isaiah 9:4; Acts 15:10 Galatians 5:1; 1 Timothy 6:1).—THE FOURFOLD GOSPEL.

Take My yoke upon you—the yoke of subjection to Jesus. and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls—As Christ's willingness to empty Himself to the uttermost of His Father's requirements was the spring of ineffable repose to His own Spirit, so in the same track does He invite all to follow Him, with the assurance of the same experience.[JFB]

Matthew 11:30 For¹⁰⁶³ My³⁴⁵⁰ yoke²²¹⁸ is easy,⁵⁵⁴³ and²⁵³² My³⁴⁵⁰ burden⁵⁴¹³ is²⁰⁷⁶ light.¹⁶⁴⁵

For: A primary particle; properly assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles).[S] … In a less strict sense, where it introduces by way of explanation the ground or motive of what precedes, for, that is, since and so forth.[WSD] The fact is, in fact, (having a more extensive meaning that the English for, expressing the reason, cause, motive, principle, etc. of what has been previously said.)[B]

is easy: From G5530 [i.e., to furnish what is needed]; employed, that is, (by implication) useful (in manner or morals).[S] Good; kind, loving, benevolent.[SS] Fit, fit for use.[CW] Apt for use, useful; of things, better for any use, good to be done or be borne.[B] Primarily signifies fit for use, able to be used, hence, good, virtuous, mild, pleasant (in contrast to what is hard, harsh, sharp, bitter); kindly.[V] Figuratively, good, easy, gentle, easy to use or bear; Christ’s yoke is [Greek] chrestos, as having nothing harsh or galling about it.[WSD] The word “easy” means “well-fitting”; He has just the yoke that is tailor-made for our lives and needs.[Warren Wiersbe] Not heavy or burdensome.[W]

My burden: Diminutive of G5414 [i.e., something carried]; an invoice (as part of freight), that is, (figuratively) a task or service.[S] The freight or lading that has to be borne.[B] Literally, something carried; something to be borne, without reference to its weight; used metaphorically of that which, though “light”, is involved in discipleship to Christ.[V]

is light: Probably akin to G1643 [i.e., to push] and the base of G1640 [i.e., smaller (in size, quantity, age or quality)]; light, that is, easy.[S] Nor burdensome.[SS] Not heavy, easy to bear.[B] For My yoke is easy—Or rather gracious, sweet, benign, delightful: and My burden is light—Contrary to those of men, is ease, liberty, and honour.[JW]

JOHN GILL’S COMMENTARY

28 Come unto Me. Christ having signified, that the knowledge of God, and the mysteries of grace, are only to be come at through Him; and that He has all things relating to the peace, comfort, happiness, and salvation of men in His hands, kindly invites and encourages souls to come unto Him for the same: by which is meant, not a local coming, or a coming to hear Him preach; for so His hearers, to whom He more immediately directed His speech, were come already; and many of them did, as multitudes may, and do, in this sense, come to Christ, who never knew Him, nor receive any spiritual benefit by Him: nor is it a bare coming under the ordinances of Christ, submission to baptism, or an attendance at the Lord's supper, the latter of which was not yet instituted; and both may be performed by men, who are not yet come to Christ: but it is to be understood of believing in Christ, the going of the soul to Him, in the exercise of grace on Him, of desire after Him, love to Him, faith and hope in Him: believing in Christ, and coming to Him, are terms synonymous, John 6:35. Those who come to Christ aright, come as sinners, to a full, suitable, able, and willing Saviour; venture their souls upon Him, and trust in Him for righteousness, life, and salvation, which they are encouraged to do, by this kind invitation; which shows His willingness to save, and His readiness to give relief to distressed minds. The persons invited, are not "all" the individuals of mankind, but with a restriction, all ye that labour, and are heavy laden; meaning, not these who are labouring in the service of sin and Satan, are laden with iniquity, and insensible of it: these are not weary of sin, nor burdened with it; not do they want or desire any rest for their souls; but such who groan, being burdened with the guilt of sin upon their consciences, and are pressed down with the unsupportable yoke of the law, and the load of human traditions; and have been labouring till they are weary, in order to obtain peace of conscience, and rest for their souls, by the observance of these things, but in vain. These are encouraged to come to Him, lay down their burdens at his feet, look to, and lay hold by faith on His person, blood, righteousness, and sacrifice; when they should enjoy that true spiritual consolation, which could never be attained to by the works of the law. And I will give you rest; spiritual rest here, peace of conscience, ease of mind, tranquility of soul, through an application of pardoning grace, a view of free justification by the righteousness of Christ, and full atonement of sin by his sacrifice; and eternal rest hereafter, in Abraham's bosom, in the arms of Jesus, in perfect and uninterrupted communion with Father, Son, and Spirit. The Jews say, that hrwt txwnm, "the law is rest"; and so explain Genesis 49:15; Psalm 23:2; Daniel 12:13 of it: but a truly sensible sinner enjoys no rest, but in Christ; it is like Noah's dove, which could find no rest for the soles of its feet, until it returned to the ark; and they themselves expect perfect rest in the days of the Messiah, and call His world hxwnm, rest.[JG]

29 Take My yoke upon you. The phrase is Rabbinical. The Jewish doctors often speak of Mymv twklm lwe, "the yoke of the kingdom of heaven", and of persons taking it upon them; and which they exhort to, and express in much such language as here; avydq atwklm lwe wkyyle wlybq, "take upon you the yoke of the holy kingdom", every day. They distinguish this from the yoke of the law, and say “a man must first take upon him the yoke of the kingdom of heaven, and after that take upon him the "yoke" of the commandment''. Their sense I take to be this, that a man must first make a profession of his faith in the God of Israel, and then live conformably to His law: agreeably to this, Christ exhorts such persons who come to Him for rest and happiness, to profess their faith in Him, to embrace the doctrines of the Gospel, to submit to His ordinances, and to walk according to those laws, commands, and orders, which He, as King of saints, has made, and requires obedience to: so those who come to Him for life, and believe in Him, as the Saviour of their souls, though they are not to trust in, and depend upon any duties performed by them; yet they are not to sit still, or lay aside the performance of good works, or live a licentious course of life, but are always to be doing the will and work of their Lord. And this He calls "his yoke", in distinction from the yoke of the Law of Moses, and of the traditions of the elders. And learn of Me, for I am meek, and lowly in heart: respect seems to be had to (Zechariah 9:9) where such characters as these are given of the Messiah. The meekness, humility, and lowliness of Christ appear in His assumption of human nature; in His subjection to His Father; in the whole of His deportment and conversation among men; in His submission to the ordinance of baptism; in the whole course of His obedience to God, and in His sufferings and death: and He is to be imitated herein, by all His followers, who may learn many excellent things from His example, as well as from His doctrine; and particularly, that whereas, though he was so great a person, yet condescended to perform every duty with readiness and cheerfulness, His disciples should not think it below them to conform to every ordinance of His, to every branch of His will; for He has set them an example, that they should tread in His steps, and walk even as He has walked. There never was such an instance of humility and lowliness of mind, as Christ; nor is there any example so worthy of our imitation as His. The Jews have a saying, ``for ever let a man llyhk Ntwwne, "be meek as Hillell", and let him not be wrathful as "Shammai":'' which two men were presidents of their universities about the times of Christ. But our Lord says, "learn of Me", not of "Hillell", or any of your doctors, and ye shall find rest unto your souls; referring to (Jeremiah 6:16) and which shows the rest He speaks of in the preceding verse, to be not a corporal, but a spiritual one; and which is to be enjoyed "in", though not "for" the observance of Christ's commands; whose "ways are ways of pleasantness, and all" Whose "paths are peace".[JG]

30 For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.] Christ calls a profession of faith in Him, and subjection to His ordinances, a yoke, in allusion to the law of Moses, and in distinction from it; and a "burden", with respect to the very heavy ones the Scribes and Pharisees laid upon the shoulders of the people, obliging them to a strict observance of them; though of a different nature from either of them; "for His commandments are not grievous", hard and heavy to be borne, as theirs were, but "easy and light": not that they are so to unregenerate men, or are easily performed by the strength of nature, and power of men's free will: but they are good and amiable, and lovely in their own nature, and are cheerfully complied with, and abundance of spiritual pleasure and delight is enjoyed in them by believers, when they have the presence of God, the assistance of His Spirit, and the discoveries of His love. Moreover, the commands of Christ, and the ordinances of the Gospel, are so in comparison of the law of Moses; which required perfect obedience, but gave no strength to perform, and threatened with condemnation and death, in case of the least failure; and of the numerous, and some very severe rites and usages of the ceremonial law; and of the bulky and heavy traditions of the elders, and ordinances of men.[JG]

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]

Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. [Jeremiah 6:16.]

For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.”—Matthew 11:28-30, AMPLIFIED Bible.