Matthew 11
11
John Sends Men to Ask Jesus a Question
(Lk. 7:18–35)
1When Jesus finished these instructions for his twelve followers, he left there. He went to the towns in Galilee to teach the people and tell them God’s message.
2When John was in prison, he heard about the things that were happening—things the Messiah would do. So he sent some of his followers to Jesus. 3They asked him, “Are you the one we have been expecting, or should we wait for someone else?”
4Jesus answered, “Go tell John what you have heard and seen: 5The blind can see. The crippled can walk. People with leprosy are healed. The deaf can hear. The dead are brought back to life. And the Good News is being told to the poor. 6Great blessings belong to those who don’t have a problem accepting me.”
7When John’s followers left, Jesus began talking to the people about John. He said, “What did you people go out to the desert to see? Someone who is weak, like a stem of grass#11:7 stem of grass Literally, “reed.” blowing in the wind? 8Really, what did you expect to see? Someone dressed in fine clothes? Of course not. People who wear fine clothes are all in kings’ palaces. 9So what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, John is a prophet. But I tell you, he is more than that. 10This Scripture was written about him:
‘Listen! I will send my messenger ahead of you.
He will prepare the way for you.’ Malachi 3:1
11“The truth is that John the Baptizer is greater than anyone who has ever come into this world. But even the least important person in God’s kingdom is greater than John. 12Since the time John the Baptizer came until now, God’s kingdom has been going forward strongly.#11:12 has been … strongly Or “has suffered violence.” And people have been trying to take control of it by force. 13Before John came, the Law of Moses and all the prophets told about the things that would happen. 14And if you believe what they said, then John is Elijah.#11:14 Elijah See Mal. 4:5-6. He is the one they said would come. 15You people who hear me, listen!
16“What can I say about the people who live today? What are they like? The people today are like children sitting in the marketplace. One group of children calls to the other group,
17‘We played flute music for you,
but you did not dance;
we sang a funeral song,
but you were not sad.’
18Why do I say people are like that? Because John came, not eating like other people or drinking wine, and people say, ‘He has a demon inside him.’ 19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and people say, ‘Look at him! He eats too much and drinks too much wine. He’s a friend of tax collectors and other sinners.’ But wisdom is shown to be right by what it does.”
Jesus Warns People Who Refuse to Believe
(Lk. 10:13–15)
20Then Jesus criticized the cities where he did most of his miracles. He criticized these cities because the people there did not change their lives and stop sinning. 21Jesus said, “It will be bad for you Chorazin! It will be bad for you Bethsaida! I did many miracles in you. If these same miracles had happened in Tyre and Sidon, the people there would have changed their lives a long time ago. They would have worn sackcloth and put ashes on themselves to show that they were sorry for their sins. 22But I tell you, on the day of judgment it will be worse for you than for Tyre and Sidon.
23“And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No! You will be thrown down to the place of death. I did many miracles in you. If these same miracles had happened in Sodom, the people there would have stopped sinning, and it would still be a city today. 24But I tell you, it will be worse for you in the day of judgment than for Sodom.”
Jesus Offers Rest to His People
(Lk. 10:21–22)
25Then Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. I am thankful that you have hidden these things from those who are so wise and so smart. But you have shown them to people who are like little children. 26Yes, Father, you did this because it’s what you really wanted to do.
27“My Father has given me everything. No one knows the Son—only the Father knows the Son. And no one knows the Father—only the Son knows the Father. And the only people who will know about the Father are those the Son chooses to tell.
28“Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest. 29Accept my teaching.#11:29 Accept my teaching Literally, “Take my yoke upon you.” A yoke was put on the neck of a work animal for pulling a load. It was a Jewish symbol for the law. See Acts 15:10; Gal. 5:1. Learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will be able to get some rest. 30Yes, the teaching that I ask you to accept is easy. The load I give you to carry is light.”
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© 1987, 2004 Bible League International
Matthew 11
11
John’s Questions
1When Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He went on from there to teach and to preach in their [Galilean] cities.
2Now when #John and Jesus were about the same age and were related through their mothers, Elizabeth and Mary (Luke 1:36).John [the Baptist] in prison heard about the activities of Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3and asked Him, “Are You the Expected One (the Messiah), or should we look for someone else [who will be the promised One]?” 4Jesus answered, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: 5the blind receive [their] sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed [by healing] and the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6And blessed [joyful, favored by God] is he who does not take offense at Me [accepting Me as the Messiah and trusting confidently in My message of salvation].”
Jesus’ Tribute to John
7As these men were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out in the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind [which is commonplace]? 8What did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing [entirely unsuited for the harsh desert]? Those who wear soft clothing are in the palaces of kings! 9But what did you [really] go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one [more eminent, more remarkable, and] #John was unique among the prophets because he was sent to prepare the hearts of the people for the immediate disclosure of their Messiah.far more than a prophet [who foretells the future]. 10This is the one of whom it is written [by the prophet Malachi],
‘Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You,
Who will prepare Your way before You.’
11 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater [in privilege] than he. 12From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize]. 13For all the prophets and the Law prophesied up until John. 14And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is [the fulfillment of] Elijah [as the messenger] who was to come [before the kingdom]. 15He who has ears to hear, let him hear and heed My words.
16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like little children sitting in the market places, who call to the others, 17and say ‘We piped the flute for you [playing wedding], and you did not dance; we wailed sad dirges [playing funeral], and you did not mourn and cry aloud.’ 18For John came neither eating nor drinking [with others], and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ 19The Son of Man came eating and drinking [with others], and they say, ‘Look! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners [including non-observant Jews]!’ Yet wisdom is justified and vindicated by her deeds [in the lives of those who respond to Me].”
The Unrepenting Cities
20Then He began to denounce [the people in] the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent [and change their hearts and lives]. 21“Woe (judgment is coming) to you, #A city near Capernaum, where Jesus later made His home. They would have heard His teachings many times.Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon [cities of the Gentiles], they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes [their hearts would have been changed and they would have expressed sorrow for their sin and rebellion against God]. 22Nevertheless I say to you, it will be more tolerable for [the pagan cities of] Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23And you, Capernaum, are you to be exalted to heaven [for your apathy and unresponsiveness]? You will descend to Hades (the realm of the dead); for if the miracles done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment, than for you.”
Come to Me
25At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth [I openly and joyfully acknowledge Your great wisdom], that You have hidden these things [these spiritual truths] from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to infants [to new believers, to those seeking God’s will and purpose]. 26Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. 27All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one fully knows and accurately understands the Son except the Father; and no one fully knows and accurately understands the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son [deliberately] wills to reveal Him.
28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. 29Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls. 30For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light.”
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