Mat 11 | BSB | STEP | After Jesus had finished instructing His twelve disciples, He went on from there to teach and preach in [the nearby] towns.

Matthew 11

John's Inquiry

1 After Jesus had finished instructing His twelve disciples, He went on from there to teach and preach in [the nearby] towns. 2 Meanwhile, John heard in prison [about] the works of Christ, [and] he sent two of his disciples 3 to ask Him, “Are You the [One who] was to come, or should we look for someone else?” 4 Jesus replied, “Go [back] [and] report to John what you hear and see: 5 [The] blind receive sight, [the] lame walk, [the] lepers ^{▼▼Leprosy was a term used for various skin diseases. See Leviticus 13.} are cleansed, [the] deaf hear, [the] dead are raised, and good news is preached [to the] poor. 6 Blessed is the [one who] does not fall away on account of Me.”

Jesus Testifies about John

7 As [John’s disciples] were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in [the] wind? 8 Otherwise, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine [clothes] ? Look, those who wear fine [clothing] are found in kings’ palaces. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is [the one] about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.’ ^{▼▼Malachi 3:1} 11 Truly I tell you, among [those] born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence, ^{▼▼Or has been forcefully advancing} and [the] violent lay claim to it. 13 For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept [it] , he is [the] Elijah who was to come. 15 He who has ears, ^{▼▼BYZ and TR ears to hear} let him hear. 16 To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 17 ‘ - We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look [at this] glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and of sinners!’ But wisdom is vindicated by her actions.”

Woe to the Unrepentant

20 Then [Jesus] began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles [that] were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on [the] day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? [No], you will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles [that] were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on [the] day of judgment than for you.”

Rest for the Weary

25 At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from [the] wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight. 27 All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. 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 you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble [in] heart, and you will find rest [for] your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”