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.
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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