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
The Messengers from John the Baptist
(Lk 7.18–35)
1When Jesus finished giving these instructions to his twelve disciples, he left that place and went off to teach and preach in the towns near there.
2When John the Baptist heard in prison about the things that Christ was doing, he sent some of his disciples to him. 3“Tell us,” they asked Jesus, “are you the one John said was going to come, or should we expect someone else?”
4Jesus answered, “Go back and tell John what you are hearing and seeing: 5#Is 35.5–6; 61.1the blind can see, the lame can walk, those who suffer from dreaded skin diseases are made clean,#11.5 made clean: See 8.2. the deaf hear, the dead are brought back to life, and the Good News is preached to the poor. 6How happy are those who have no doubts about me!”
7While John's disciples were leaving, Jesus spoke about him to the crowds: “When you went out to John in the desert, what did you expect to see? A blade of grass bending in the wind? 8What did you go out to see? A man dressed up in fancy clothes? People who dress like that live in palaces! 9Tell me, what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes indeed, but you saw much more than a prophet. 10#Mal 3.1For John is the one of whom the scripture says: ‘God said, I will send my messenger ahead of you to open the way for you.’ 11I assure you that John the Baptist is greater than anyone who has ever lived. But the one who is least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than John. 12#Lk 16.16From the time John preached his message until this very day the Kingdom of heaven has suffered violent attacks,#11.12 has suffered violent attacks; or has been coming violently. and violent men try to seize it. 13Until the time of John all the prophets and the Law of Moses spoke about the Kingdom; 14#Mal 4.5; Mt 17.10–13; Mk 9.11–13and if you are willing to believe their message, John is Elijah, whose coming was predicted. 15Listen, then, if you have ears!
16 “Now, to what can I compare the people of this day? They are like children sitting in the market place. One group shouts to the other, 17‘We played wedding music for you, but you wouldn't dance! We sang funeral songs, but you wouldn't cry!’ 18When John came, he fasted and drank no wine, and everyone said, ‘He has a demon in him!’ 19When the Son of Man came, he ate and drank, and everyone said, ‘Look at this man! He is a glutton and a drinker, a friend of tax collectors and other outcasts!’ God's wisdom, however, is shown to be true by its results.”
The Unbelieving Towns
(Lk 10.13–15)
20The people in the towns where Jesus had performed most of his miracles did not turn from their sins, so he reproached those towns. 21#Is 23.1–18; Ezek 26.1—28.26; Joel 3.4–8; Amos 1.9–10; Zech 9.2–4“How terrible it will be for you, Chorazin! How terrible for you too, Bethsaida! If the miracles which were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, the people there would long ago have put on sackcloth and sprinkled ashes on themselves, to show that they had turned from their sins! 22I assure you that on the Judgement Day God will show more mercy to the people of Tyre and Sidon than to you! 23#Is 14.13–15; Gen 19.24–28And as for you, Capernaum! Did you want to lift yourself up to heaven? You will be thrown down to hell! If the miracles which were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would still be in existence today! 24#Mt 10.15; Lk 10.12You can be sure that on the Judgement Day God will show more mercy to Sodom than to you!”
Come to Me and Rest
(Lk 10.21–22)
25At that time Jesus said, “Father, Lord of heaven and earth! I thank you because you have shown to the unlearned what you have hidden from the wise and learned. 26Yes, Father, this was how you wanted it to happen.
27 #
Jn 3.35; 1.18; 10.15 “My Father has given me all things. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 “Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. 29#Jer 6.16Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest. 30For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light.”
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Good News Bible. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.