The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications of the Holy Gospel for the Wednesday of Populus/Filia Zion (the Second Week of Advent), Matthew 11:11–15, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.
II. A glorious testimony of Christ concerning John [the Baptist]. (v. 7–15)
Annotated Text
11. “Truly, I say to you, * among all those born of women (according to the common course of nature), there is not one (anyone) who has arisen who (on account of his office) is greater (more eminent) than John the Baptist; but He who is the Least (indeed, smaller) in the Kingdom of Heaven (in the Kingdom of God. Luther: “This is Christ,” who has humiliated himself to the lowest point) is greater than him (for He is not only true man, but also true God in unity of person, who is not only a Prophet and Teacher, but rather also the Mediator, Redeemer, and Savior; He is not the friend of the Bridegroom, as John, but rather is the Bridegroom Himself, John 3:29).
* Luke 7:28
12. Now from the days of John the Baptist (from the time in which he began to carry out his office) until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence (the Kingdom of God is preached through the Gospel, and everyone pressed into it with force, Luke 16:16. The people receive the Gospel with great zeal, as one takes a city by force. Luther: “The consciences, when they perceive the Gospel, press toward it, so that no one can resist them.”), and the violent (the repentant sinners, who in true faith stand against the temptations through the power of the Spirit, crucify the wicked lusts of the sinful flesh [Galatians 5:24], and contend gallantly) snatch it to themselves (they press themselves into the Kingdom of Heaven, from which it sufficiently appears that John had accomplished great benefits through his teaching and baptizing).1
(Matthew 21:31–32)
1 Greek: Alternatively, “The Kingdom of Heaven presses in with force, and (everyone, Luke 16:16, also) uses force (or have used force up to this point—evil people, tax collectors, soldiers, sinners, indeed, even the Gentiles press into it with force, and) snatch it to themselves (make themselves partakers of it with great zeal, and in this go before the high priests, the scribes, and the Pharisees).”
13. For all the prophets and the Law had prophesied (that Christ shall come) until John (who pointed to Christ being present).
14. And, if you are willing to receive it (and believe it) * he (John) is Elijah, who is to come (He is the one of whom the prophet Malachi had prophesied that He shall come in the Spirit and power of Elijah before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord).
* Malachi 4:5; Matthew 17:12 (Mark 9:13; Luke 1:17)
15. He who has ears to hear, let him hear (mark this and take it to heart, and do not wait with the Pharisees for Elijah the Tishbite to come again on earth in his own person again, or otherwise for the Kingdom of Heaven to appear with worldly pageantry).”
* Mark 7:16 (Luke 8:8)
Useful Applications
II. DOCTRINE: That Christ is the least in the Kingdom of Heaven, and yet at the same time greater than John (who is esteemed by Christ as the greatest among all men); He is the least according to His humanity in the state of humiliation, He is the greatest according to His eternal divinity. (v. 11)
PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS 