“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been riding it.” Matthew 11:12
This verse is very difficult to understand until one realizes Jesus is speaking a Hebrew idiom taken from Micah 2:13 - One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out. Their king will pass through before them, the Lord at their head.”
The English translation in Matthew “subjected to violence, and violent people have been riding it” is taken from Micah, and in Hebrew it is a phrase that pictures the shepherd taking the stones of the pen away in the morning (“breaking open the way” Micah, “subjected to violence” Matthew) to let the sheep out to pasture (“they will break through the gate and go out” Micah, “and violent people have been riding it.” Matthew).
The phrase Jesus uses “the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been riding it” is an idiom that doesn’t mean violence, but the act of tearing down the stones (subject to violence, which Jesus did) in the morning, and the sheep running through the opening to pasture/freedom (and violent people have been riding it).
Jesus is here declaring himself to be the Messiah who has opened our prison doors, he has set us free, and within his kingdom individuals are finding liberty and freedom.
Enjoy your FREEDOM today!
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