11Matthew 11

John the Baptist

1After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he left and began teaching and preaching in the towns.Select Matthew 11:1

2John was in prison when he heard what Christ was doing. So John sent some of his followersSelect Matthew 11:2

3to ask Jesus, “Are you the one we should be looking for? Or must we wait for someone else?”Select Matthew 11:3

4Jesus answered, “Go and tell John what you have heard and seen.Select Matthew 11:4

5The blind are now able to see, and the lame can walk. People with leprosy are being healed, and the deaf can hear. The dead are raised to life, and the poor are hearing the good news.Select Matthew 11:5

6God will bless everyone who doesn't reject me because of what I do.”Select Matthew 11:6

7As John's followers were going away, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John: What sort of person did you go out into the desert to see? Was he like tall grass blown about by the wind?Select Matthew 11:7

8What kind of man did you go out to see? Was he someone dressed in fine clothes? People who dress like that live in the king's palace.Select Matthew 11:8

9What did you really go out to see? Was he a prophet? He certainly was. I tell you that he was more than a prophet.Select Matthew 11:9

10In the Scriptures God says about him, “I am sending my messenger ahead to get things ready for you.”Select Matthew 11:10

11I tell you no one ever born on this earth is greater than John the Baptist. But whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John.Select Matthew 11:11

12From the time of John the Baptist until now, violent people have been trying to take over the kingdom of heaven by force.Select Matthew 11:12

13All the Books of the Prophets and the Law of Moses told what was going to happen up to the time of John.Select Matthew 11:13

14And if you believe them, John is Elijah, the prophet you are waiting for.Select Matthew 11:14

15If you have ears, pay attention!Select Matthew 11:15

16You people are like children sitting in the market and shouting to each other,Select Matthew 11:16

17“We played the flute, but you would not dance! We sang a funeral song, but you would not mourn!”Select Matthew 11:17

18John the Baptist did not go around eating and drinking, and you said, “That man has a demon in him!”Select Matthew 11:18

19But the Son of Man goes around eating and drinking, and you say, “That man eats and drinks too much! He is even a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Yet Wisdom is shown to be right by what it does.Select Matthew 11:19

The Unbelieving Towns

20In the towns where Jesus had worked most of his miracles, the people refused to turn to God. So Jesus was upset with them and said:Select Matthew 11:20

21You people of Chorazin are in for trouble! You people of Bethsaida are in for trouble too! If the miracles that took place here had happened in Tyre and Sidon, the people there would have turned to God long ago. They would have dressed in sackcloth and put ashes on their heads.Select Matthew 11:21

22I tell you on the day of judgment the people of Tyre and Sidon will get off easier than you will.Select Matthew 11:22

23People of Capernaum, do you think you will be honored in heaven? You will go down to hell! If the miracles that took place in your town had happened in Sodom, it would still be standing.Select Matthew 11:23

24So I tell you on the day of judgment the people of Sodom will get off easier than you.Select Matthew 11:24

Come to Me and Rest

25At that moment Jesus said: My Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I am grateful that you hid all this from wise and educated people and showed it to ordinary people.Select Matthew 11:25

26Yes, Father, this is what pleased you.Select Matthew 11:26

27My Father has given me everything, and he is the only one who knows the Son. The only one who truly knows the Father is the Son. But the Son wants to tell others about the Father, so they can know him too.Select Matthew 11:27

28If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest.Select Matthew 11:28

29Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest.Select Matthew 11:29

30This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.Select Matthew 11:30