Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 11:6

6 And blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in me.

We must imagine these Disciples of Iohn to have staid with Christ some time, and to have seen him work some of these Miracles, and to have heard him Preach, and seen the great success of his Ministry, and then to have lest him with this Answer. Luke therefore addeth Ch. 7.21. And in that same Hour he cured many of their Infirmities, and Plagues, and of Evil Spirits, and unto many that were Blind, he gave sight. Then he repeateth the Answer which we have here, in which our Saviour referreth unto his Works, as sufficiently testifying of him, Iohn 5.36.37. & 10.25.37, 38▪ we read not that these Disciples saw any dead Person raised, whilst they were with Christ, but it appeareth from Luke 7.18, &c. that the report of such a Miracle, was the occasion of their coming to Christ. The question is, how the sight of these things done by our Saviour, could be a sufficient Argument to confirm to them that he was the Messias? Especially considering that his Apostles did the same things. Answer. First it was Prophesied by Isaiah, Ch. 35.4, 5, 6. That when God should come to save them, the Eyes of the Blind should be opened, and the Ears of the Deaf unstopped, then shall the Lame Man leap as an Hart, and the Tongue of the Dumb sing, and Isaiah 61.1. That the Messiah should Preach good Tidings to the Meek, that is, the Poor, Luke 4.18. which Christ v. 21. applyed to himself. So that the fulfilling of these promises argued, that the Messias was come, and no other was to be looked for, whether these things were done by him, or by his Disciples. Secondly, The Disciples as yet had done no such things, so as his doing of them plainly Evidenced his Divine Power, the others did them but as his Disciples, by his Power and Authority. 3. It is more then probable, that when the Disciples did them, they used some such Form as Peter used, Acts. 3.6. In the Name of Iesus Christ of Nazareth, arise and walk; we find Peter v. 12. very wary, that the People should not mistake in thinking, they did it by their own Power or Holiness. And the Poor have the Gospel Preached to them. Gr. [non-Latin text not transcribed], which may be Translated, The Poor Preach the Gospel in an Active Sense, as the Word is used, Luke 2.10. or the Poor are Gospelized. Taking the Word in a passive Sense, as Heb. 4.2. 1 Pet. 1.25. & 4.6. In the passive Sense it may be understood either of a more External Reception of the Gospel upon Preaching, or of a more Internal Reception of the Gospel by Faith. In all Senses it was true, of the times of the Messiah: The Poor Preached the Gospel; nor was this a mean Evidence, that the Messiah was come to see a few poor Fisher-men, at his Call leaving their Nets and their Friends, and following one calling them, to Preach a new Doctrine to the World. 2. The Poor had the Gospel Preached to them, nor was this a less Evidence of Christ, to be the Messiah, considering the Prophecy, Isaiah 61.1. and the contempt of the Poor amongst the Jews. Iohn 7.49. But that the Poor, who commonly are the more ignorant, and rude sort of People should Vouchsafe to hear the Gospel, and be turned into the likeness of the Gospel upon Christ's Preaching to them, this was yet an higher Evidence. Many by Poor understand the Poor in Spirit. The binding up of broken Hearts, and bringing glad Tidings to Souls sadded on Spiritual accounts, is a great effect of the Divine Power. It followeth, And blessed is he who shall not be offended in me. It is not improbable that our Saviour here reflecteth on the Disciples of Iohn, who out of a great Honour for their Master, took many occasions to be offended at Christ. One while because he, and his Disciples▪ did not fast so often, as they and the Pharisees, as Ch. 9. v, 14. another while because so many followed him, Iohn 3.26. But the Words spoken have a further reference, then to Iohns Disciples. The Lord Jesus and his Doctrine are to many a Stone of stumbling, and a Rock of offence, according to the Prophecie, Isa. 8.14. & 28.16. Luk. 2.34. Rom. 9.33. 1 Cor. 1.23. 1 Pet. 2.6. The Iews stumbled at the meanness of his Person, and Parentage, and the meanness of his Followers. The Gentiles not at these things only, but his Ignominious Death. At this day many stumble at the Sublimeness, and strictness of his Doctrine, &c. Christ speaks here with reference to all, and pronounceth that man, a Blessed man, who shall so take Offence at nothing, whether respecting his Person, his Life, or his Death, his Doctrine, or his Followers, as to deter, or discourage him from embracing him, and believing in him as the Saviour of lost Sinners, that shall by Faith receive him.