Question:
Answer:
Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force. All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, the one who is to come. Whoever has ears ought to hear. (Matt. 11:11-15)
There are two common interpretations of this passage.
One is that it refers to those who would seize the kingdom of heaven for themselves and prevent others from entering. This interpretation is that those who are “taking it by force” are those who are trying to prevent the baptizing of John the Baptist and prevent people from coming to Jesus.
The other interpretation is that it refers to the impatience people have for the coming kingdom of God. In this interpretation the “violence” is not a negative but more symbolic. The kingdom of heaven is being depicted as a city being besieged on all sides by people who want to posses it.