Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryEzekiel 11

Judgment on Jerusalem’s Leaders and Hope for the Exiles This chapter presents a vision that Ezekiel received from God. Ezekiel is shown the leaders of Jerusalem who are misleading the people and planning evil. God reveals their coming judgment, but He also promises hope and restoration for those taken into exile. This message warns against trusting in corrupt leaders and encourages the people to trust in God's justice and mercy. v. 1: Ezekiel is carried by the Spirit of God to the east gate of the Lord’s house, where he sees twenty-five men. Among them are two leaders named Jaazaniah and Pelatiah. These men are important officials in Jerusalem and are supposed to guide the people. Instead, they are making plans that are not from God and are leading the city into danger.

v. 2: God tells Ezekiel to notice these men because they are plotting evil and giving bad advice to the people of Jerusalem. They are using their power to influence others in the wrong way, and they do not care about what God wants.

v. 3: These leaders say, “It is not near; let us build houses. This city is the pot, and we are the meat.” They think they are safe inside Jerusalem, as if the city walls will protect them like a pot protects meat. They believe there will be no trouble soon, so they encourage people to settle down and not worry. But they are wrong because judgment is coming.

v. 4: God commands Ezekiel to prophesy against these leaders. Ezekiel is to speak boldly and tell them that their false confidence will not save them. He must warn them that God sees their actions and will judge them for it.

v. 5: The Spirit of the Lord comes on Ezekiel and gives him the words to say. God says that He knows what the leaders are thinking in their hearts. He knows their secrets and their plans, and nothing is hidden from Him.

v. 6–12: God tells the leaders that they have filled the city with violence and caused many deaths. Because of this, God will bring judgment. The leaders who thought they were safe will be taken out of the city and punished. God will show them that He is the Lord, and they will learn that trusting in their own strength instead of God leads to destruction.

v. 13: While Ezekiel is prophesying, one of the leaders, Pelatiah, dies suddenly. Ezekiel is shocked and falls down in fear, crying out to God, asking if He will destroy everyone left in Israel. This shows how serious God’s judgment is, but also Ezekiel’s compassion for his people.

Judgments Predicted; Sufferings and Hopes of Pious Captives.This passage shifts from warnings for the proud people in Jerusalem to words of comfort for the captives in Babylon. God’s message through Ezekiel is not only to correct those who feel too secure in their sin, but also to encourage those who are humble and hurting. God sees both the proud and the humble, and He promises hope even in times of suffering.v. 14-15: God tells Ezekiel how the people left in Jerusalem look down on those who have already been taken to Babylon. The people in Jerusalem think the exiles are the worst sinners and say to them, Get you far from the Lord

v. 16: God promises the captives that He will be a little sanctuaryfor them, even in foreign lands. Though they are far from the temple in Jerusalem, God Himself will be their place of safety and worship. He will give them His presence and grace wherever they are. God’s people may lose outward privileges, but God can give even greater comfort by His Spirit (Psalm 139:7-10 ).

v. 17: God also promises that, one day, He will gather the exiles from all the nations and bring them back to the land of Israel. Even if others say they are finished, God will bring them home and give them the land again. Sometimes people may judge or exclude us, but God’s promises cannot be taken away by others.

v. 18: When the people return, they will remove all the detestable things—their idols—from the land. Their time of suffering in exile will make them hate idolatry and turn back to God. True return to God always means turning away from sin.

v. 19: God promises to change their hearts. He will give them one heart—a new, united heart that truly loves God. He will put a new spiritwithin them, take away their hard stony heart, and give them a heart of flesh—one that is soft, living, and ready to obey. This change comes from God alone and is the sign of His grace. This is fulfilled for all God’s people who truly repent and believe (2 Corinthians 5:17 ).

v. 20: With a new heart, the people will follow God’s laws and keep His commands. Then God says, They shall be my people, and I will be their God.The relationship that was broken by sin will be restored. God’s covenant with His people is renewed by His mercy and their changed hearts.

v. 21: But God warns that those who still follow idols and refuse to be changed will be judged. Their heart walks after the heart of their detestable things, so God will repay them for their actions. God’s justice is fair: those who reject Him will face the consequences of their own choices.

The Visions of the Divine Glory.This section describes the sad moment when God’s glory finally leaves Jerusalem. The vision shows how God’s presence departs step by step, but also how patient and merciful God is, waiting for people to turn back to Him. Ezekiel’s experience is meant to teach both the exiles and those still in Jerusalem what happens when God’s people reject Him. The prophet is faithful to share everything he has seen, so others can learn and take warning.v. 22: The cherubim lift up their wings, with the wheels beside them, and the glory of the Lord

v. 23: God’s glory leaves the temple and moves to the mountain east of the city, the Mount of Olives. This mountain had been a place of idol worship in the past (1 Kings 11:7 ). Now God stands there, away from the city, as if waiting to see if anyone will turn back to Him. God does not leave quickly or without emotion; He departs slowly, giving time for repentance. But if the people keep rejecting Him, He will finally leave them to face the results of their choices (Deuteronomy 32:20 ).

v. 24: The vision then leaves Ezekiel. He sees it rise up and disappear, showing that it was truly from heaven. The spiritual experiences God gives us on earth are just glimpses; they remind us to look forward to seeing God fully in heaven one day. The fact that the vision leaves from the Mount of Olives also points forward to Jesus’ ascension from that same mountain (Zechariah 14:4 ).

v. 25: After the vision ends, Ezekiel returns to the Jewish captives in Babylon. He tells them everything God has shown him. He does not add or leave out anything, but faithfully reports all of God’s message. His purpose is to help the captives understand that it is better to be in exile under God’s care than in Jerusalem under His anger. This warning was also likely sent back to Jerusalem, where it could have saved the city if the people had listened and repented.