Matthew 11
11
Jesus and John the Baptist
1Jesus finished teaching his 12 disciples. Then he went on to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
2John the Baptist was in prison. When he heard about the actions of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to him. 3They asked Jesus, “Are you the one who is supposed to come? Or should we look for someone else?”
4Jesus replied, “Go back to John. Report to him what you hear and see. 5Blind people receive sight. Disabled people walk. Those who have skin diseases are made ‘clean.’ Deaf people hear. Those who are dead are raised to life. And the good news is preached to those who are poor. 6Blessed is anyone who does not give up their faith because of me.”
7As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John. He said, “What did you go out into the desert to see? Tall grass waving in the wind? 8If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No. People who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10He is the one written about in Scripture. It says,
“ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you.
He will prepare your way for you.’ (Malachi 3:1)
11What I’m about to tell you is true. No one more important than John the Baptist has ever been born. But the least important person in the kingdom of heaven is more important than he is. 12Since the days of John the Baptist, the kingdom of heaven has been under attack. And violent people are taking hold of it. 13All the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John came. 14If you are willing to accept it, John is the Elijah who was supposed to come. 15Whoever has ears should listen.
16“What can I compare today’s people to? They are like children sitting in the markets and calling out to others. They say,
17“ ‘We played the flute for you.
But you didn’t dance.
We sang a funeral song.
But you didn’t become sad.’
18When John came, he didn’t eat or drink as you do. And people say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19But when the Son of Man came, he ate and drank as you do. And people say, ‘This fellow is always eating and drinking far too much. He’s a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.” ’ By wise actions wisdom is shown to be right.”
Towns That Do Not Turn Away From Sin
20Jesus began to speak against the towns where he had done most of his miracles. The people there had not turned away from their sins. So he said, 21“How terrible it will be for you, Chorazin! How terrible for you, Bethsaida! Suppose the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon. They would have turned away from their sins long ago. They would have put on clothes for mourning. They would have sat down in ashes. 22But I tell you this. On judgment day it will be easier for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23And what about you, Capernaum? Will you be lifted to the heavens? No! You will go down to the place of the dead. Suppose the miracles done in you had been done in Sodom. It would still be here today. 24But I tell you this. On judgment day it will be easier for Sodom than for you.”
Rest for All Who Are Tired
25At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father. You are Lord of heaven and earth. You have hidden these things from wise and educated people. But you have shown them to little children. 26Yes, Father. This is what you wanted to do.
27“My Father has given all things to me. The Father is the only one who knows the Son. And the only ones who know the Father are the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to make him known.
28“Come to me, all you who are tired and are carrying heavy loads. I will give you rest. 29Become my servants and learn from me. I am gentle and free of pride. You will find rest for your souls. 30Serving me is easy, and my load is light.”
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Matthew 11: NIrV
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Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®, NIrV®
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Matthew 11
11
John the Baptist Sends Messengers to Jesus
1Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to #Matt. 9:35; Luke 23:5teach and to preach in their cities.
2#Luke 7:18–35And when John had heard #Matt. 4:12; 14:3; Mark 6:17; Luke 9:7in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples 3and said to Him, “Are You #Gen. 49:10; Num. 24:17; Deut. 18:15, 18; Dan. 9:24; John 6:14the Coming One, or do we look for another?”
4Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5#Is. 29:18; 35:4–6; John 2:23The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and #Ps. 22:26; Is. 61:1; Luke 4:18; James 2:5the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6And blessed is he who is not #Is. 8:14, 15; (Rom. 9:32); 1 Pet. 2:8offended because of Me.”
7#Luke 7:24As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? #(Eph. 4:14)A reed shaken by the wind? 8But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, #Matt. 14:5; 21:26; Luke 1:76; 20:6and more than a prophet. 10For this is he of whom it is written:
#Mal. 3:1; Mark 1:2; Luke 1:76‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.’
11“Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12#Luke 16:16And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. 13#Mal. 4:4–6For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14And if you are willing to receive it, he is #Mal. 4:5; Matt. 17:10–13; Mark 9:11–13; Luke 1:17; John 1:21Elijah who is to come. 15#Matt. 13:9; Luke 8:8; Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
16#Luke 7:31“But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, 17and saying:
‘We played the flute for you,
And you did not dance;
We mourned to you,
And you did not lament.’
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 winebibber, #Matt. 9:10a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ #Luke 7:35; John 2:1–11But wisdom is justified by her children.”
Woe to the Impenitent Cities
20#Luke 10:13–15, 18Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: 21“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago #Jon. 3:6–8in sackcloth and ashes. 22But I say to you, #Matt. 10:15; 11:24it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. 23And you, Capernaum, #Is. 14:13; Lam. 2:1; Ezek. 26:20; 31:14; 32:18, 24who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24But I say to you #Matt. 10:15that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”
Jesus Gives True Rest
25#Luke 10:21, 22At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that #Ps. 8:2; 1 Cor. 1:19; (2 Cor. 3:14)You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent #Matt. 16:17and have revealed them to babes. 26Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 27#Matt. 28:18; Luke 10:22; John 3:35; 13:3; 1 Cor. 15:27All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. #John 1:18; 6:46; 10:15Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28Come to #(John 6:35–37)Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take My yoke upon you #(John 13:15); Eph. 4:2; (Phil. 2:5; 1 Pet. 2:21; 1 John 2:6)and learn from Me, for I am gentle and #Zech. 9:9; (Phil. 2:7, 8)lowly in heart, #Jer. 6:16and you will find rest for your souls. 30#(1 John 5:3)For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
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The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.