Matthew 11:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

I urge you, let us strive to transform our lives and sanctify our souls, ensuring that nothing impure hinders us. Illuminate the light of understanding within you, and refrain from sowing seed amidst thorns. If one fails to recognize that greed is a vice, how then will they comprehend anything further? If one does not turn away from earthly desires, how will they yearn for the heavenly realm? It is commendable to take joy, but not in transient things, rather in the kingdom of heaven: “they that use effort,” as it is said, “delight in it” (Matt. 11:12); thus it cannot be attained through laziness, but through earnest endeavor. What does it imply when we say “they that use effort”? It signifies that great diligence is essential, as the path is narrow; a youthful and vigorous spirit is necessary. Those who aspire to outshine all others disregard everything—neither judgment, nor condemnation, nor retribution; their sole focus is on how to elevate what they desire and to caution those who are ahead of them. Therefore, let us seize the kingdom of heaven. This longing is not sinful; rather, it is commendable; the true sin lies in failing to aspire. In this pursuit, our abundance does not harm others. Let us strive to find joy, and if we are vexed by anger or troubled by desire, let us transcend our natural inclinations, cultivate meekness, and labor diligently so that we may be eternally at peace. You shall not steal earthly riches, but rather acquire true wealth, where gold appears as mere dirt. Consider this: if lead and gold were presented to you, which would you choose to take? Is it not evident that you would choose gold? In cases where an offender is punished, would you not prefer the superior choice? Even if the offender should receive accolades, would you not still prefer what is superior? Indeed, would you not choose wisely, even if punishment were associated with both options? Yet here, there exists no such dilemma, but rather pure bliss. You might wonder how one can seize the kingdom of heaven. Release what you hold. While you clutch it, you are unable to grasp it. Picture a man whose hands are full of silver; can he seize the gold while still holding onto the silver? He must release it to be free. One who steals must not be bound in any way, lest he be caught. Presently, there exist hostile forces assailing us, attempting to deprive us of the kingdom of heaven. Let us escape from them, leaving nothing for their grasp. Let us sever the ties, divesting ourselves of worldly attachments. What need do you have for extravagant garments? How long shall we drape ourselves in frivolous attire? How long shall we conceal gold in the earth? I wish I could refrain from discussing this continually; however, you persistently provide reasons and temptations to do so. Now, let us at last leave it behind, that by living righteous lives we may obtain the promised blessings, through the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory alongside the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and throughout all ages. Amen.

“The kingdom of heaven,” declares the Lord, “is taken by force, and those who use effort shall climb it” (Matthew 11:12). Be diligent in your pursuit here; be one who seeks earnestly; what is taken here remains undiminished. Virtue is never divided, piety is never lessened, nor is the kingdom of heaven diminished. On the contrary, virtue increases when pursued; yet material possessions dwindle under theft. This is clear when considering an immense crowd in a city; if they all seek virtue and righteousness, they will enhance it, creating multitudes of righteous individuals; conversely, if they fail to pursue it, its presence will diminish and become scarce.

This is why, since the beginning of his ministry, the kingdom of heaven has been taken by force; it inspires the human soul to long for the angelic and compels the earthly creature to seek the dwelling of the divine.

However, when John the Baptist, heralding the grace of the Redeemer, proclaims repentance to awaken the sinner, who lies dead in guilt, it is from the days of John the Baptist that the Kingdom of Heaven begins to be taken by force. What is the Kingdom of Heaven if not the abode of the Righteous? Only the Righteous are granted the rewards of the Heavenly Homeland, so that the humble, pure, meek, and merciful may attain the highest joys. Yet, when anyone, whether consumed by pride, tainted by sinful desires, or filled with anger and wickedness, turns from their sin to repentance and receives Eternal Life, that sinner is placed as if they were an outsider. Thus, from the days of John the Baptist, the Kingdom of Heaven is seized with force, and the valiant take hold of it, for he who preached repentance taught them to pursue the Kingdom with fervor. Therefore, dear brethren, let us reflect on the wrongs we have committed and immerse ourselves in unending sorrow. Let us claim the inheritance of the righteous, which we have neglected, through our repentance. The Almighty God is willing to endure such violence from us, desiring that the Kingdom of Heaven, to which we have no right through our deeds, be attained by our tears. Consequently, let no measure of our sins hinder us from holding fast to the hope of faithfulness. The profound hope of forgiveness is illustrated by the honorable thief, who earned this title not for his wrongdoing, but through his confession. Consider, then, the unfathomable nature of God's mercy. This thief, whose hands were stained with blood, hung upon the cross, where he made his confession, found healing, and was promised: Today you will be with Me in paradise (Luke 23:43). What a marvel! Who can fully comprehend and express such goodness from God? From the very punishment for transgressions, it moves toward the rewards of virtue. Yet, the Almighty has permitted some of His chosen to fall into transgressions to offer hope of forgiveness to others enveloped in iniquity, if they turn to Him wholeheartedly, thereby opening the pathway to righteousness through tears of repentance. Let us, therefore, engage in heartfelt weeping, eradicating our offenses with tears and deeds worthy of repentance; let us not squander the time granted for correction. Observing many who have been healed from their wrongdoings, what more do we receive than the assurance of Supreme Mercy? To our Lord Jesus Christ, along with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory forever. Amen.

In your prayers, if you encounter discomfort in your head and shoulders, endure it and seek the Lord with fervor and commitment. The kingdom of heaven is seized through strength, and only those who expend effort will attain it (Matthew 11:12). By these words, the Lord emphasizes the significance of such labor; enduring with patience is essential, as it often leads to the ailments of both soul and body.

It is crucial to understand the nature of the hardships intrinsic to ascetic practice and to clarify how each form of endeavor should be undertaken. This will ensure that no one, while undertaking this path without pain and failing to reap the rewards, will justly blame us or themselves for their experience. Genuine heartache and physical toil accomplish the true work. Through them, the presence of the Holy Spirit—bestowed upon you and every believer in baptism—becomes apparent. However, neglecting the commandments leads to this gift being buried beneath our passions, and it awaits our repentance with immeasurable mercy. Thus, at the end of our struggles, we must not hear the admonition: “Take from him the talent” (Matthew 25:28) or “From him will be taken away even that which he seemeth to have” (Luke 8:18). We must also avoid being cast into eternal punishment in Gehenna.

Every act—spiritual or physical—that lacks toil and suffering yields no benefits, whether bodily or spiritual. For the Kingdom of Heaven, as the Lord teaches, is claimed through force, and those who labor shall possess it (Matt. 11:12). Here, “force” implies the various forms of pain we may endure. It is common to see many toil without hardship or labor only briefly, lacking fervent enthusiasm, resulting in their alienation from purity and limited participation in the gifts of the Holy Spirit due to their avoidance of necessary trials. Those who are neglectful or lazy, despite occasionally appearing to be worn out, ultimately produce no fruits because their efforts are devoid of hardship. As expressed, “Though we may accomplish many great acts, if we do not cultivate a heart full of pain, they become null and void.” Likewise, when we glide towards heaven without earnest effort, succumbing to distractions, we gain no advantage, becoming overshadowed by the truth that in such distractions, we mistakenly find rest which doesn’t exist. We become ensnared and inactive in our endeavors, indulging in comfort, especially as novices.

The venerable Ephraim further counsels: “Engage in hard labor to avoid the anguish of futile efforts. If, according to the prophet, our loins do not feel the loosening that follows fasting labor, and if we do not experience the pains akin to childbirth” (see: Isaiah 21:3), “through a steadfast heart in prayer, we will not give rise to the spirit of salvation within our hearts” (see: Isaiah 26:18). Reflecting on our existence, we may only boast about the duration of our efforts, our presence in desolate terrains, and our retreat from diligence and silence. When we face death, we will fully grasp the complete yield of our lives.

Only those who embody these qualities will enter the kingdom, as it is not granted preferentially to anyone. The significance of this principle, starting from the days of John or, as mentioned elsewhere, following the law and the prophets, remains beyond our full comprehension, as we acknowledge our limitation in explaining it.

The kingdom is eagerly sought, signifying that through need, toil, and substantial effort, it is attained; thus, it is accessible only to those who embrace a life of arduous labor and asceticism. This path to the Kingdom dismisses all forms of comfort. Indulgences, in various forms, hinder access to the Kingdom, and in contemporary times, we are primarily focused on pleasures that are often more physical than spiritual—such as eating, drinking, enjoying leisure, and indulging in various delights. Although the kingdom extends a gracious invitation, saying, “Please, forgive me,” it holds within it a feast fit for royalty, a banquet beyond our imagination, yet our desires differ vastly from what it offers. What is deemed sweet in that kingdom may be bitter to us; what is seen as delightful there may be repugnant to us; what brings joy there feels burdensome to us. Meanwhile, the Kingdom is moving away with the needy souls who find joy in it. We feel pleased and may even wish to hasten their departure, yet the adversary appears to complicate matters further.