Matthew 11

Jesus Teaches About John the Baptist and His Mission

1 “When Jesus finished giving His disciples their marching orders, He went out to teach and preach in the towns nearby.

John the Baptist’s Question

2 “John the Baptist, locked up in jail, heard about what Jesus was doing. So, he sent his disciples to Him.”

3 “They asked, ‘Listen, are You the One we have been waiting for, or should we look for someone else,’”

4 “Jesus told them, ‘Go back and tell John what you hear and see.’”

5 “‘The blind can see, the lame are walking, lepers are healed, the deaf can hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are hearing the good news.’”

6 “‘And blessed is anyone who does not trip over Me.’”

Jesus Talks About John

7 “As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus started talking to the crowd about John. He said, ‘What did you all go out into the wilderness to see, A reed shaking in the wind?’”

8 “‘What did you go to see then, A man dressed in fancy clothes, Nah, people rocking expensive gear live in palaces.’”

9 “‘So, what did you go to see, A prophet, Yep, and I am telling you, John is more than a prophet.’”

10 “‘He is the one Scripture talks about: “I am sending My messenger ahead of You to prepare the way for You.”’”

11 “‘I am telling you, no one born of a woman is greater than John the Baptist. But even the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than him.’”

12 “‘Since John started preaching, the kingdom of heaven has been under attack, and people are fighting to get in.’”

13 “‘All the prophets and the law prophesied about this up until John.’”

14 “‘And if you all can handle it, John is the Elijah who was supposed to come.’”

15 “‘If you got ears, listen up.’”

This Generation’s Reaction

16 “‘What can I compare this generation to, It is like kids sitting in the marketplace, shouting at each other.’”

17 “‘They are like, “We played the flute, and you did not dance; we sang a sad song, and you did not cry.”’”

18 “‘John came, fasting and not drinking, and you all said, “He has possessed!”’”

19 “‘Then I came, eating and drinking, and you all called Me a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. But wisdom proves itself right in the end.’”

Woe to Unrepentant Cities

20 “Then Jesus started calling out the towns where He did miracles because they did not repent.”

21 “‘Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have turned to God long ago, wearing sackcloth and ashes.’”

22 “‘But I am telling you, it will be better for Tyre and Sidon on judgment day than for you.’”

23 “‘And you, Capernaum, do you think you will be lifted up to heaven, Nah, you are going down to Hades. If the miracles done in you had been done in Sodom, It would still be here today.’”

24 “‘But I am telling you, it will be better for Sodom on judgment day than for you.’”

The Father and the Son

25 “At that time, Jesus prayed, ‘Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I thank You for hiding these things from the wise and showing them to kids.’”

26 “‘Yes, Father, because this is how You wanted it to be.’”

27 “‘Everything has been handed to Me by My Father. Nobody really knows the Son except the Father, and nobody knows the Father except the Son and those the Son chooses to show Him to.’”

Jesus’ Invitation

28 “‘Come to Me, all of you who are tired and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’”

29 “‘Take My yoke and learn from Me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest for your souls.’”

30 “‘My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.’”