Matthew 11

Messengers from John the Baptist

1 Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to a teach and to preach in their cities.

2 b And when John had heard c in prison about the works of Christ, he 1 sent two of his disciples 3 and said to Him, "Are You d the Coming One, or do we look for another?" 4 Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5 e "The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and f the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 "And blessed is he who is not g offended because of Me."

7 h As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? i A reed shaken by the wind? 8 "But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 "But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, j and more than a prophet.

10 "For this is he of whom it is written:
k 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.' 2

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 l "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 m "For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 "And if you are willing to receive it, he is n Elijah who is to come. 15 o "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

16 p "But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions,

17 "and saying:
'We played the flute for you,
And you did not dance;
We mourned to you,
And you did not 3 lament.'

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, a glutton and a 4 winebibber, q a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' r But wisdom is justified by her 5 children."

Woe to Unrepentant Cities

20 s Then 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 t in sackcloth and ashes. 22 "But I say to you, u it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. 23 "And you, Capernaum, v who 6 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. 24 "But I say to you w that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you."

Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest

25 x At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that y You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent z and have revealed them to babes. 26 "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 27 a "All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. b Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 "Come to c Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you d and learn from Me, for I am 7 gentle and e lowly in heart, f and you will find rest for your souls. 30 g "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

  1. Cross References
    Matthew 9:35
    Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
    Luke 23:5
    But they were the more fierce, saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.
  2. Cross References
    Luke 7:18 - 35
    Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.
  3. Cross References
    Matthew 4:12
    Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee.
    Matthew 14:3
    For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.
    Mark 6:17
    For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her.
    Luke 9:7
    Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him; and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead.
  4. Cross References
    Genesis 49:10
    The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a ...
    Numbers 24:17
    I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not n...
    Deuteronomy 18:15
    The LORD your God will raise up for you a Proph...
    Deuteronomy 18:18
    I will raise up for them a Prophet like you fro...
    Daniel 9:24
    Seventy weeks are determined For your people an...
    John 6:14
    Then those men, when they had seen the sign tha...
  5. Cross References
    Isaiah 29:18
    In that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book, And the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.
    Isaiah 35:4 - 6
    Say to those who are fearful-hearted, "Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.
    John 2:23
    Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did.
  6. Cross References
    Psalms 22:26
    The poor shall eat and be satisfied; Those who seek Him will praise the LORD. Let your heart live forever!
    Isaiah 61:1
    The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound.
    Luke 4:18
    The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed.
    James 2:5
    Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
  7. Cross References
    Isaiah 8:14
    He will be as a sanctuary, But a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense To both the houses of Israel, As a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
    Isaiah 8:15
    And many among them shall stumble; They shall fall and be broken, Be snared and taken.
    Romans 9:32
    Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone.
    1 Peter 2:8
    And "A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense." They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.
  8. Cross References
    Luke 7:24
    When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
  9. Cross References
    Ephesians 4:14
    That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting.
  10. Cross References
    Matthew 14:5
    And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
    Matthew 21:26
    "But if we say, 'From men,' we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet."
    Luke 1:76
    And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways.
    Luke 20:6
    "But if we say, 'From men,' all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet."
  11. Cross References
    Malachi 3:1
    Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, Even the Messenger of the covenant, In whom you delight. Behold, He is coming," Says the LORD of hosts.
    Mark 1:2
    As it is written in the Prophets: "Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.
    Luke 1:76
    And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways.
  12. Cross References
    Luke 16:16
    The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.
  13. Cross References
    Malachi 4:4 - 6
    Remember the Law of Moses, My servant, Which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, With the statutes and judgments.
  14. Cross References
    Malachi 4:5
    Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.
    Matthew 17:10 - 13
    And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?
    Mark 9:11 - 13
    And they asked Him, saying, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?
    Luke 1:17
    "He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
    John 1:21
    And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No.
  15. Cross References
    Matthew 13:9
    "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"
    Luke 8:8
    "But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and...
    Revelation 2:7
    "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spiri...
    Revelation 2:11
    "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spiri...
    Revelation 2:17
    "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spiri...
    Revelation 2:29
    "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spiri...
    Revelation 3:6
    "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spiri...
    Revelation 3:13
    "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spiri...
  16. Cross References
    Luke 7:31
    And the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?
  17. Cross References
    Matthew 9:10
    Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples.
  18. Cross References
    Luke 7:35
    "But wisdom is justified by all her children."
    John 2:1 - 11
    On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.
  19. Cross References
    Luke 10:13 - 15
    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, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
    Luke 10:18
    And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
  20. Cross References
    Jonah 3:6 - 8
    Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes.
  21. Cross References
    Matthew 10:15
    Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!
    Matthew 11:24
    "But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you."
  22. Cross References
    Isaiah 14:13
    For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend...
    Lamentations 2:1
    How the Lord has covered the daughter of Zion W...
    Ezekiel 26:20
    Then I will bring you down with those who desce...
    Ezekiel 31:14
    'So that no trees by the waters may ever again ...
    Ezekiel 32:18
    Son of man, wail over the multitude of Egypt, A...
    Ezekiel 32:24
    There is Elam and all her multitude, All around...
  23. Cross References
    Matthew 10:15
    Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!
  24. Cross References
    Luke 10:21
    In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.
    Luke 10:22
    "All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him."
  25. Cross References
    Psalms 8:2
    Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.
    1 Corinthians 1:19
    For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
    2 Corinthians 3:14
    But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ.
  26. Cross References
    Matthew 16:17
    Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon BarJonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
  27. Cross References
    Matthew 28:18
    And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
    Luke 10:22
    "All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him."
    John 3:35
    The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.
    John 13:3
    Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God.
    1 Corinthians 15:27
    For "He has put all things under His feet." But when He says "all things are put under Him, " it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted.
  28. Cross References
    John 1:18
    No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
    John 6:46
    Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father.
    John 10:15
    As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
  29. Cross References
    John 6:35 - 37
    And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.
  30. Cross References
    John 13:15
    For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.
    Ephesians 4:2
    With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.
    Philippians 2:5
    Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.
    1 Peter 2:21
    For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
    1 John 2:6
    He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
  31. Cross References
    Zechariah 9:9
    Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.
    Philippians 2:7
    But made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
    Philippians 2:8
    And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
  32. Cross References
    Jeremiah 6:16
    Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.
  33. Cross References
    1 John 5:3
    For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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