Matthew 11:12
New International Version
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it.

New Living Translation
And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it.

English Standard Version
From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.

Berean Standard Bible
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence, and the violent lay claim to it.

Berean Literal Bible
And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of the heavens is taken by violence and the violent seize it.

King James Bible
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

New King James Version
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

New American Standard Bible
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been treated violently, and violent men take it by force.

NASB 1995
“From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.

NASB 1977
“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.

Legacy Standard Bible
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.

Amplified Bible
From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize].

Christian Standard Bible
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been suffering violence, and the violent have been seizing it by force.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been suffering violence, and the violent have been seizing it by force.

American Standard Version
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and men of violence take it by force.

Contemporary English Version
From the time of John the Baptist until now, violent people have been trying to take over the kingdom of heaven by force.

English Revised Version
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and men of violence take it by force.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
From the time of John the Baptizer until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful people have been seizing it.

Good News Translation
From the time John preached his message until this very day the Kingdom of heaven has suffered violent attacks, and violent men try to seize it.

International Standard Version
"From the days of John the Baptist until the present, the kingdom from heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people have been attacking it,

Majority Standard Bible
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence, and the violent lay claim to it.

NET Bible
From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and forceful people lay hold of it.

New Heart English Bible
And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

Webster's Bible Translation
And from the days of John the Baptist, until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

Weymouth New Testament
But from the time of John the Baptist till now, the Kingdom of the Heavens has been suffering violent assault, and the violent have been seizing it by force.

World English Bible
From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And from the days of John the Immerser until now, the kingdom of the heavens suffers violence, and violent men seize it by force,

Berean Literal Bible
And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of the heavens is taken by violence and the violent seize it.

Young's Literal Translation
'And, from the days of John the Baptist till now, the reign of the heavens doth suffer violence, and violent men do take it by force,

Smith's Literal Translation
From the days of John the Immerser till now the kingdom of the heavens is achieved by force, and they committing violence seize it eagerly.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent bear it away.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But from the days of John the Baptist, even until now, the kingdom of heaven has endured violence, and the violent carry it away.

New American Bible
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force.

New Revised Standard Version
From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been administered by force, and only those in power control it.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“From the days of Yohannan The Baptizer until this hour the Kingdom of Heaven is led by force and the violent are seizing it.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
From the days of John the Immerser till now, the kingdom of heaven is taken by violence, and men of violence seize upon it eagerly.

Godbey New Testament
From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of the heavens suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force.

Haweis New Testament
But from the days of John the Baptist unto the present, the kingdom of heaven is assaulted by violence, and the invaders forcibly seize upon it.

Mace New Testament
Messiah is greater than he.) for ever since the appearance of John the Baptist the gospel kingdom is as it were invaded, and people of the most violent passions enter into it with zeal.

Weymouth New Testament
But from the time of John the Baptist till now, the Kingdom of the Heavens has been suffering violent assault, and the violent have been seizing it by force.

Worrell New Testament
And from the time of John the Immerser until now, the Kingdom of Heaven is taken by storm, and violent men seize upon it;

Worsley New Testament
and from the days of John the baptist to this time, the kingdom of heaven is as it were forced into, and the most pressing seize upon it with eagerness.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Testifies about John
11Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence, and the violent lay claim to it. 13For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.…

Cross References
Luke 16:16
The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the gospel of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.

Luke 13:24
“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.

John 6:15
Then Jesus, realizing that they were about to come and make Him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by Himself.

Acts 14:22
strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses.

Philippians 3:12-14
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. / Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, / I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 4:11
Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same pattern of disobedience.

Hebrews 11:33-34
who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, / quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.

Revelation 12:7-11
Then a war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. / But the dragon was not strong enough, and no longer was any place found in heaven for him and his angels. / And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. ...

Revelation 3:21
To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

Micah 2:12-13
I will surely gather all of you, O Jacob; I will collect the remnant of Israel. I will bring them together like sheep in a pen, like a flock in the midst of its pasture—a noisy throng. / One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate, and go out by it. Their King will pass through before them, the LORD as their leader.

Daniel 7:18
But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever—yes, forever and ever.’

Daniel 7:21-22
As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and prevailing against them, / until the Ancient of Days arrived and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for them to possess the kingdom.

Isaiah 9:7
Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.


Treasury of Scripture

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

from.

Matthew 21:23-32
And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? …

Luke 7:29,30
And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John…

Luke 13:24
Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Jump to Previous
Advancing Assault Baptist Baptizer Force Forceful Forcefully Forcing Heaven Heavens Hold John Kingdom Lay Reign Seizing Suffer Suffered Suffereth Suffering Suffers Time Violence Violent Way
Jump to Next
Advancing Assault Baptist Baptizer Force Forceful Forcefully Forcing Heaven Heavens Hold John Kingdom Lay Reign Seizing Suffer Suffered Suffereth Suffering Suffers Time Violence Violent Way
Matthew 11
1. John sends his disciples to Jesus.
7. Jesus' testimony concerning John.
16. The perverse judgment of the people concerning the Son.
20. Jesus upbraids Korazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum;
25. and praising his Father's wisdom in revealing the Gospel to the simple,
28. he calls to him those who are weary and burdened.














From the days of John the Baptist
This phrase marks a significant period in biblical history, highlighting the ministry of John the Baptist as a pivotal moment in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. John is often seen as the last of the Old Testament prophets and the forerunner to Christ, bridging the old covenant with the new. His call to repentance and baptism prepared the way for Jesus, emphasizing the urgency and transformative nature of the coming kingdom. Historically, John's ministry was a time of great expectation and upheaval, as people anticipated the Messiah's arrival.

until now
This phrase indicates a continuous action or state from John's time to the present moment of Jesus' ministry. It suggests that the dynamics introduced by John's proclamation of the kingdom have persisted and intensified. The "now" refers to the time of Jesus' earthly ministry, a period marked by the fulfillment of prophetic promises and the active presence of God's kingdom through Christ's works and teachings.

the kingdom of heaven
In Matthew's Gospel, "the kingdom of heaven" is a central theme, synonymous with "the kingdom of God" in other Gospels. It represents God's sovereign rule and reign, both a present reality and a future hope. Theologically, it encompasses the transformative power of God's presence among His people, inaugurated by Jesus and awaiting consummation at His return. The kingdom challenges earthly powers and calls for a radical reorientation of life under God's authority.

has been subject to violence
The Greek word for "violence" here, "biazō," can imply forceful action or suffering. This phrase suggests that the kingdom's advance encounters opposition and conflict. Historically, this could refer to the persecution faced by John the Baptist, Jesus, and their followers. Spiritually, it reflects the struggle between God's kingdom and the forces of evil, as well as the personal cost of discipleship. The kingdom's progress is marked by both divine power and human resistance.

and the violent lay claim to it
The "violent" in this context can be understood as those who aggressively pursue the kingdom, whether through opposition or earnest seeking. The Greek term "biastēs" implies forceful individuals. This phrase can be interpreted in two ways: negatively, as those who oppose or try to seize the kingdom by force, or positively, as those who passionately strive to enter and embrace it. In a spiritual sense, it calls believers to a fervent and determined pursuit of God's kingdom, overcoming obstacles and enduring hardships for the sake of Christ.

(12) The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence.--The Greek verb may be either in the middle voice, "forces its way violently," or passive, as in the English version, but there is little doubt that the latter is the right rendering. The words describe the eager rush of the crowds of Galilee and Judaea, first to the preaching of the Baptist, and then to that of Jesus. It was, as it were, a city attacked on all sides by those who were eager to take possession of it.

The violent take it by force.--The Greek noun is without the article, "men who are violent or use force." The meaning is determined by the preceding clause. The "violent" are men of eager, impetuous zeal, who grasp the kingdom of heaven--i.e., its peace, and pardon, and blessedness--with as much eagerness as men would snatch and carry off as their own the spoil of a conquered city. Their new life is, in the prophet's language, "given them as a prey" (Jeremiah 21:9; Jeremiah 45:5). There is no thought of hostile purpose in the words.

Verse 12. - It is curious that in St. Luke's account of this speech of our Lord's he should omit our vers. 12-14 (on ver. 15, see note there), thus leaving out all Christ's plainer and more direct teaching about the relation of John to himself. St. Luke places (Luke 16:16) our vers. 12 and 13 in what appears to be merely a cento of sayings. Possibly the original occasion has been recorded by neither evangelist, but in Matthew the passage certainly brings out the thought upon which our Lord was insisting on this occasion. And. Slightly adversative (δέ), for there is a change of subject. Christ urges his hearers to more definitely range themselves under his banner. From the days of John the Baptist until now. Yet this was not more than a few months! Possibly the sentence had become modified in oral teaching, so as to include many years, say up to A.D. or 60. St. Luke's ἀπὸ τότε is easy enough. Observe the implied success of John's work as herald. He so prepared the way that men were eager to enter the kingdom which he had said was at hand. The kingdom of heaven. The realm ruled over by Messiah, of which the then community of believers was the earnest (vide Introduction, p. 25.). Suffereth violence (βιάζεται). In Luke it is middle, "Every man entereth violently into it;" and though it is certainly passive here, St. Luke's phrase compels us to understand the reason of the violence to be entrance into the kingdom. The kingdom is not ill treated, but it is as it were taken by storm (Meyer). Nosgen strangely understands the phrase to mean that the kingdom is set forward with power, and he would apparently see in "the violent" a special reference to our Lord and John. And the violent; and men of violence (Revised Version); καὶ βιασταί: only they; men whose mind is made up and who care not what force and power they employ to attain their object. Take it by force; ἁρπάζζουσιν αὐτήν, "grasp it for themselves," like rough and violent bandits seizing their prey. Weiss sees in this verse blame of the politico-Messianic endeavours to hasten the completion of the kingdom. This explanation is good in itself (cf. John 6:15), but disconnects the verse from its context. Our Lord is describing the energy with which some souls are pressing in, and urging the need of such energy if salvation is to be obtained.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
From
ἀπὸ (apo)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

days
ἡμερῶν (hēmerōn)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 2250: A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.

of John
Ἰωάννου (Iōannou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2491: Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites.

the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Baptist
Βαπτιστοῦ (Baptistou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 910: From baptizo; a baptizer, as an epithet of Christ's forerunner.

until
ἕως (heōs)
Preposition
Strong's 2193: A conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until.

now,
ἄρτι (arti)
Adverb
Strong's 737: Now, just now, at this moment. Adverb from a derivative of airo through the idea of suspension; just now.

the
(hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

kingdom
βασιλεία (basileia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 932: From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm.

of
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

heaven
οὐρανῶν (ouranōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3772: Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.

has been subject to violence,
βιάζεται (biazetai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 971: From bios; to force, i.e. to crowd oneself, or to be seized.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[the] violent
βιασταὶ (biastai)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 973: A forceful, violent man; one who is eager in pursuit. From biazo; a forcer, i.e. energetic.

lay claim
ἁρπάζουσιν (harpazousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 726: To seize, snatch, obtain by robbery. From a derivative of haireomai; to seize.

to it.
αὐτήν (autēn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


Links
Matthew 11:12 NIV
Matthew 11:12 NLT
Matthew 11:12 ESV
Matthew 11:12 NASB
Matthew 11:12 KJV

Matthew 11:12 BibleApps.com
Matthew 11:12 Biblia Paralela
Matthew 11:12 Chinese Bible
Matthew 11:12 French Bible
Matthew 11:12 Catholic Bible

NT Gospels: Matthew 11:12 From the days of John the Baptizer (Matt. Mat Mt)
Matthew 11:11
Top of Page
Top of Page