This is part six of the Truth that sets all of Humanity Free, it could well be part 1a as we shall learn by looking into Luke chapter 16 and what is hidden there.
Now Jesus is speaking in chapter 16 verses 16-17, where we find this, before we get there Jesus is confronting the Pharisees and in the process of belittling/deriding them, when He says: "'The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man press (G971) into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.'"
Strong's says this about G971: βιάζω
biazō
bee-ad'-zo
From G970; to force, that is, (reflexively) to crowd oneself (into), or (passively) to be seized: - press, suffer violence. (G970 says this: βία bia bee'-ah Probably akin to G979 [life] (through the idea of vital activity); force: - violence.)
John Gill has this to say about what is stated here: "The law and the prophets were until John,.... Till the time that John the Baptist began his ministry; For till then, the law and the prophets, with the Hagiographa, or holy writings, for into these three parts the Jews divided the books of the Old Testament, were the only writings they had; And which contained the whole of the revelation granted to them; Which they wrested, and put false glosses on; Therefore it was no wonder that they derided Christ, and despised His ministry: Whereas Jesus spoke of spiritual things that were promised in these writings, under the notion of temporal ones; Which they not understanding, might imagine the doctrine of Christ, concerning the contempt of worldly riches, was contrary to: And since they valued themselves on having the Law and the Prophets, Christ observes, that since that time, the kingdom of God is preached; The Gospel, and the mysteries of relating to the kingdom of the Messiah, His person, office, and grace; And to the kingdom of grace, which lies not in outward, but in inward and spiritual things; And to the kingdom of heaven, or glory hereafter; And which are a superior dispensation to that of the Law and the Prophets, and sets things in a clearer, plainer, and better light: That every man presseth into it; The Gospel dispensation, the kingdom of the Messiah; "that he may enter into it", as the Syriac and Persic versions add; Which the Scribes and Pharisees did all they could to hinder; see Matthew 23:13, Where large multitudes crowded the ministry of John, of Christ, and of his apostles; The people flocked in great numbers to hear the word, and seemed disposed to embrace the doctrines of the Gospel, and the ordinances of it; they pressed on one another to hear it, and through many difficulties, discouragements, and obstacles, the Pharisees threw in their way; There was scarce a man but seemed very desirous of attending upon the preaching of it, and pressed hard for it; And with much force and violence, with great eagerness and endeavour broke his way to it; Though a different sense is given by others reading the words, and "every one suffers violence to himself for it", as the Arabic version; or "is oppressed for it", as the Ethiopic; that is, suffers reproach, contradiction, and persecution, for the sake of hearing it.
I could do no better service to what John Gill here stated. I remind everyone of my contention that religion of any kind is no more then a hindrance to the true Gospel. More on this later the LORD God willing.
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