Matthew 11

1And when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

Messengers from John the Baptist

2Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3and said to him, "Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?" 4And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6And blessed is he who takes no offense at me."

Jesus Praises John the Baptist

7As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind? 8Why then did you go out? To see a mana clothed in soft raiment? Behold, those who wear soft raiment are in kings' houses. 9Why then did you go out? To see a prophet?b Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10This is he of whom it is written,

'Behold, I send my messenger before thy face,

who shall prepare thy way before thee.'

11Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence,c and men of violence take it by force. 13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John; 14and if you are willing to accept it, he is Eli'jah who is to come. 15He who has ears to hear,d let him hear.

16"But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places and calling to their playmates,

17'We piped to you, and you did not dance;

we wailed, and you did not mourn.'

18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon'; 19the Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds."e

Woes to Unrepentant Cities

20Then he began to upbraid the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21"Woe to you, Chora'zin! woe to you, Beth-sa'ida! for if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22But I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23And you, Caper'na-um, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24But I tell you that it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you."

Jesus Thanks His Father

25At that time Jesus declared, "I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; 26yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will.f 27All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."