“The kingdom of heaven subject to violence”
Matthew 11:12
IdiomInterpretationJesus
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. (Matthew 11:12 BSB)
* Greek biazetai is ambiguous: suffers violence, or is forcefully advancing.
What it sounds like today
Baffling in any translation: is the violence good or bad?
The cultural key
One of the Gospels' genuine cruxes. The verb biazetai can be read two opposite ways: middle voice, 'the kingdom has been forcefully advancing' (bursting in with power since John); or passive, 'the kingdom is suffering violence' from violent men who assault it (John, who announced it, sits in Herod's dungeon as Jesus speaks, and will be beheaded). Scholars remain split; both readings fit the context of John's imprisonment.
Recovered meaning
Either 'the kingdom is breaking in with unstoppable force' or 'the kingdom is under violent assault', and it may be a deliberate double edge: wherever it advances, violent men lay hands on it. A model case for honest uncertainty.
Parallels: Luke 16:16