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As I read the gospel of Matthew recently, I was caught by verse 12 of chapter 11. In the context of the chapter, Jesus had finished giving instruction to His disciples and went out teaching in the cities. John was in prison and had doubts about Jesus being the Messiah. Jesus tells about John the Baptist, and how there is no man born of women who is greater than John, but he who is the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Then comes verse 12: “and from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.” It is clear that we are seeing the kingdom of heaven suffering violence, and violent men truly taking it by force. I thought it was quite revealing that since the days of John the Baptist it had been this way. Why should we be surprised today? How was the kingdom suffering violence? Who were these violent men taking it by force? I decided to look at another translation. I thought to myself, “I’m reading the NASB, which is one of the better translations.” I opened the N.I.V. just to see what it said. The NIV read, “from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing and forceful men lay hold of it.”

By this point I had serious questions and wanted to understand what the author wanted to convey to the reader from this verse. I had spoken to my wife who has a minor in Bible from Biola University. She mentioned she was familiar with this verse and had always thought it was referring to the persecution of the church in context. The NASB and the NIV give very contrasting statements when put side by side. I thought in my mind the kingdom suffering violence and violent men taking it by force, is very different from the kingdom of heaven forcibly advancing and forceful men laying hold of it! The latter reading or interpretation set beautifully in my heart. It did so because it conveys a view of the Kingdom of God not as weak and helpless, but as strong and forcefully pressing into the world with absolute power led by the King of Kings. I proceeded to look at other translations and here is what I found:

“From the days of John the Baptist until the present, the kingdom of God has been forcefully advancing, and violent people have been attacking it.” New International Version

“Indeed, from the days of John the Baptizer, until this moment, the kingdom of heaven is being taken by storm, and the strong and forceful ones take it for themselves eagerly.” Kenneth Wuest: The New Testament, An Expanded Translation

“The violent take it by force in this context probably means that violent people forcibly oppose the kingdom with their hostility. As Christ’s kingdom advances, so do the attacks against it.” Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary

It is interesting to note that most of your mediocre commentaries do state that the church is being persecuted, however, in the context of this passage, the author is delivering a much more powerful message to the reader. I will include an analysis of this passage from the commentaries of R.C.H. Lenski and William Hendriksen.

“With (de) Jesus adds a necessary statement, one which stresses the glorious time in which the hearers of Jesus were privileged to live. Now from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of the heavens presses forward forcefully, and forceful people snatch it. We consider it of little import whether (Biazetai) is the passive (C.-K. 219 at length) or the middle used in an active sense (Zahn and others, giving examples). The passive, however, cannot mean “suffers violence,” but means, “is brought with force,” namely by John and by Jesus. “Suffers violence” assumes that the (Biastai) are the agents, and that both clauses mean the same thing, which is scarcely probable. In substance it is quite the same whether we say, the kingdom itself “comes forward powerfully” or “is brought forward powerfully” by John and Jesus. This statement obviously characterizes the years “from the days of John the Baptist until now,” from the day when John began to baptize until now when Jesus was in the full swing of his work. Of course, “until now” does not imply that this urging of the kingdom on men ceases at this moment; the matter goes on. We have no reason to make the enemies of the kingdom the agent of (Biazetai) when it is regarded as a passive and to refer the verb to their violence against it, letting the second clause express the same thought. The trend of the entire discourse deals not only with violence against the kingdom, but with the indifference and the dissatisfaction that hinder men from entering it with a zest. The absence of the article shows that Biastai does not refer to a special class of men but only to the quality which those who appropriate the kingdom manifest. The translation “men of violence” might pass if hostility were referred to; the idea of violence is too strong an idea in the present connection. This word is not found in the secular Greek which uses Biastos in the sense of strong, courageous. The correspondence between Biazetai and Biastai is obvious, being a play on words. The energy and the force with which the kingdom comes (or is brought) instills a similar energy and force in those whom the kingdom wins for itself. They are not “forceful” by nature and thus better than others; but the kingdom itself with all its gifts, treasures, and blessings puts power and courage into them “to snatch,” let us say “to grab” it all.” Lenski’s Interpretation of Matthew’s Gospel

“From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom is pressing forward vigorously, and vigorous men are eagerly taking possession of it.” In footnote 469, Hendriksen states the following: “The passage has led to much discussion and many differences of interpretation. The difficulties center especially around the verb Biazetai and the cognate noun Biastai. As to the first, this is the third per. sing. pres. Indicative of Biazow and can be either passive or middle. In the New Testament it occurs only here and in the parallel passage Luke 16:16. As a passive and used in the unfavorable sense it could mean “is suffering violence.” The entire passage would read somehow as follows: “the kingdom is suffering is suffering violence and violent men are seizing it.” Along this line, with individual variations see A.V., A.R.V., N.A.S., Beck, Weymouth, R.S.V., N.E.B. (text).

There is nothing in the context that suggests this meaning, which should therefore be definitely rejected. Also, construed as passive, but now in a favorable sense, the meaning might be “is being seized eagerly,” or “is being taken by storm,” followed by “and eager men are seizing it,” or are forcing their way into it.” See for example Phillips and Williams. This is much better. Nevertheless, it is not entirely satisfactory, since thus interpreted, the second line virtually repeats what has already been said in the first. Taking the verb as a middle and translating it “is pressing forward vigorously,” yields a meaning for the entire passage as given in my translation; supported in one form or another also, among others, by Lenski, Ridderbos, and N.E.B. footnote. The two lines express two thoughts, the first relating to the kingdom itself, the second to the men who are eagerly taking possession of it. Yet between the two there is very close connection. It appears to me that the context fully supports this interpretation. As to the second verb, namely, harpazousow, this is third per. pl. pres. indicative active, of harpazow. It occurs several times in the New Testament, always in the sense of seize or one of its modifications. Naturally the resultant meaning can be unfavorable, for example, seize someone’s property (John10:28,29). Not only human beings but also wolves (symbolizing humans) can be snatching thieves (John 10:12). Nevertheless, the intent seizing something or somebody may not always be unfriendly (see John 6:15, where the indicated action was wrong, but not unfriendly). Or again, the Spirit may “catch” or “snatch” someone away (Acts 8:39, with which compare 2 Corinthians 12:2, 4; 1Thess. 4:17; Rev. 12:5). Finally, there may be a seizing which has a rescuing as its purpose (Acts 23:10; Jude 23). It is clear from all this that the exact meaning of this verb, whether favorable or unfavorable, depends on its context. Since it has already been established that the first verb Biazetai is here used in a favorable sense, the conclusion must be that also the second is so used. The same is true with respect to the noun Biastai, occurring only here in the New Testament. In the present context it cannot mean “violent men” but must mean “vigorous men,” or “forceful men,” men of courage, fortitude, determination.” William Hendriksen: Footnote 469 Page 489

The kingdom says Jesus, ever since the days of John’s first appearance upon the scene has been pressing forward vigorously, forcefully. It is doing so now, as is clear from the fact that the sick are being healed, lepers cleansed, the dead raised, sinners converted to everlasting life, all this now as ever before, still, by no means, everybody is entering. Many, very many, even now are refusing and resisting. But vigorous or forceful men, people who dare to break away from faulty human tradition and to return to the Word in all its purity, no matter what be the cost to themselves, such individuals are eagerly taking possession of the kingdom; that is, in their hearts and lives that kingship or reign of God and of Christ is being established. What Jesus here emphasizes is that one cannot sleep his way into the kingdom. On the contrary, entrance into the kingdom requires earnest endeavor, untiring energy, utmost exertion. See also Luke 13:24; 16:16; John 16:33; Acts 14:22. This is true because Satan is mighty, has a large army of helpers, the demons, has learned to use crafty methods (see N.T.C. on Eph 6:11), and receives aid and support from his fifth column established in man’s very heart (I John 2:16). Therefore it takes vigorous men, men who are eager to fight and to conquer, to overcome Satan and thus to take possession of the kingdom, of all the blessings of salvation. The kingdom then, is not for weaklings, waverers, or compromisers. It is not for Balaam (2 Peter 2:15), the rich young ruler (Matt. 19:22), Pilate (John 19:12, 13), and Demas (II Tim 4:10). It is not won by the means of deferred prayers, unfulfilled promises, broken resolutions, and hesitant testimonies. It is for strong and sturdy men like Joseph (Gen. 39:9), Nathan (II Sam. 12:7), Elijah (I Kings 18:21), Daniel and his three friends (Dan 1:8; 3:16-18), Mordecai (Esther 3:4), the Peter of Acts 4:20, Stephen (Acts 6:8; 7:51), and Paul (Phil 3:13, 14). And here let us not forget such valiant women as Ruth (Ruth 1:16-18), Deborah (Judg. 4:9), Esther (Esther 4:16), and Lydia (Acts 16:15, 40)” William Hendriksen

In most of today’s evangelical churches, the Word of God is watered down. As a result, men and women are trusting in their own works and have a view of God that is everything but biblical. The heathen view the Kingdom of God as suffering; worst still is that most Christians do as well! Instead of charging forward, the saints are retreating in cowardice! Proverbs declares that as a man thinks in heart, determines how he lives his life.

In light of the pressing forth of the New Reformation that must begin with us today by the grace of God, we appeal to the masses which are “sleeping” in those “feel good” mega churches. May the dawn of the light of the Reformation, break forth within us and cause us to take it to the sleeping church! As the “bunny rabbit of Easter” attempts to overshadow the Resurrection, so the watered down churches eclipse Reformation Day with “harvest festivals.” Candy, costumes, fun, and games do our children no good. What the children and adults need today more than ever, is a double dose of solid, biblical doctrine which is able to deliver them and cause them to stand in the evil day! May we arise and think biblically.

We are reformed and taught well for a time such as this! The Kingdom of God presses forward forcefully, let us be those forceful men and women who lay hold of it! It is time to rise up men of God! The Captain of the Army of the LORD has given us his orders. He has called us into full force active duty! We are fully equipped, so let us press on to FIND, FOLLOW, and FINISH His will for our lives.