Matthew 11
11
1Now when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and proclaim his message in their cities.
Messengers from John the Baptist
2When John heard in prison what the Messiah#11.2 Or the Christ was doing, he sent word by his#11.2 Other ancient authorities read two of his disciples 3and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” 4Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers#11.5 The terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”
Jesus Praises John the Baptist
7As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8What then did you go out to see? Someone#11.8 Or Why then did you go out? To see someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9What then did you go out to see? A prophet?#11.9 Other ancient authorities read Why then did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10This is the one about whom it is written,
‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’
11Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence,#11.12 Or has been coming violently and the violent take it by force. 13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John came; 14and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15Let anyone with ears#11.15 Other ancient authorities add to hear listen!
16“But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another,
17‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we wailed, and you did not mourn.’
18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; 19the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”#11.19 Other ancient authorities read children
Woes to Unrepentant Cities
20Then he began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done, because they did not repent. 21“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22But I tell you, on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23And you, Capernaum,
will you be exalted to heaven?
No, you will be brought down to Hades.
For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24But I tell you that on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you.”
Jesus Thanks His Father
25At that time Jesus said, “I thank#11.25 Or praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; 26yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.#11.26 Or for so it was well-pleasing in your sight 27All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
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New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Matthew 11
11
Ministry to the people
1When Jesus finished teaching his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.
Question from John the Baptist
2Now when John heard in prison about the things the Christ was doing, he sent word by his disciples to Jesus, asking, 3“Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”
4Jesus responded, “Go, report to John what you hear and see. 5Those who were blind are able to see. Those who were crippled are walking. People with skin diseases are cleansed. Those who were deaf now hear. Those who were dead are raised up. The poor have good news proclaimed to them.#11.5 Isa 35:5-6; 61:1 6Happy are those who don’t stumble and fall because of me.”
Appeal of John’s ministry
7When John’s disciples had gone, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John: “What did you go out to the wilderness to see? A stalk blowing in the wind? 8What did you go out to see? A man dressed up in refined clothes? Look, those who wear refined clothes are in royal palaces. 9What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10He is the one of whom it is written: Look, I’m sending my messenger before you, who will prepare your way before you.#11.10 Mal 3:1
Significance of John’s ministry
11 “I assure you that no one who has ever been born is greater than John the Baptist. Yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven is violently attacked as violent people seize it. 13All the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John came. 14If you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15Let the person who has ears, hear.
This generation
16“To what will I compare this generation? It is like a child sitting in the marketplaces calling out to others, 17‘We played the flute for you and you didn’t dance. We sang a funeral song and you didn’t mourn.’ 18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19Yet the Human One#11.19 Or Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved to be right by her works.”
Condemnation of Bethsaida and Capernaum
20Then he began to scold the cities where he had done his greatest miracles because they didn’t change their hearts and lives. 21“How terrible it will be for you, Chorazin! How terrible it will be for you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done among you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have changed their hearts and lives and put on funeral clothes and ashes a long time ago. 22But I say to you that Tyre and Sidon will be better off on Judgment Day than you. 23And you, Capernaum, will you be honored by being raised up to heaven? No, you will be thrown down to the place of the dead. After all, if the miracles that were done among you had been done in Sodom, it would still be here today. 24But I say to you that it will be better for the land of Sodom on the Judgment Day than it will be for you.”
The Father and the Son
25At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you’ve hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have shown them to babies. 26Indeed, Father, this brings you happiness.
27 “My Father has handed all things over to me. No one knows the Son except the Father. And nobody knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wants to reveal him.
28“Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. 29Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I’m gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves. 30My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light.”
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