Thematic Bible
Matthew 11:1 (show verse)
And so it happened, when Jesus had finished instructing His twelve apostles, He left there [and went] to teach and preach in the [other] Israelite towns. [See 10:23]
Matthew 11:2 (show verse)
Now while still in prison, John [the Immerser] heard about the things Christ was doing, [so] he sent [word] through his disciples
Matthew 11:3 (show verse)
and said to Jesus, "Are you the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?"
Matthew 11:4 (show verse)
Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John the things you are hearing and seeing;
Matthew 11:5 (show verse)
[how] blind people are receiving back their sight, and crippled people are walking [again], and people with infectious skin diseases are being healed, and deaf-mutes are hearing [and speaking (?) again], and people are being raised [from the dead], and poor people are having the good news preached to them.
Matthew 11:6 (show verse)
The person who does not find an occasion for having doubts about my identity is fortunate indeed."
Matthew 11:7 (show verse)
As the messengers [sent by John. See Luke 7:27] went on their way, Jesus began to talk to the crowds about John. [He said], "What did you expect to see when you went out into the desert? A tall stem swaying in the wind?
Matthew 11:8 (show verse)
What did you expect to see? A man dressed in fancy clothes? Look, people who wear fancy clothes live in kings' palaces.
Matthew 11:9 (show verse)
Why did you go out [to the desert]? To see a prophet? Yes, I should say [he was], and much more than a prophet.
Matthew 11:10 (show verse)
He is the one about whom it was written [Mal. 3:1], 'Look, I [will] send my messenger on ahead of you. He will prepare the pathway in front of you.'
Matthew 11:11 (show verse)
It is true when I tell you, among [all] those born of women, no one greater than John the Immerser has come along. Yet the least significant person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Matthew 11:12 (show verse)
And from the days of John the Immerser the kingdom of heaven is experiencing turmoil, for violent men are [trying to] take control of it [by bringing it into existence] forcibly [i.e., before its appointed time. See Acts 1:6-7].
Matthew 11:13 (show verse)
For all of the prophets and the law of Moses prophesied [of this kingdom] up until the time of John.
Matthew 11:14 (show verse)
And if you are willing to accept [this truth], this person [i.e., John] fulfills [the prophecy of] the coming of Elijah. [See Mal. 4:5-6]
Matthew 11:15 (show verse)
The person who has ears to hear with ought to listen [to this] carefully.
Matthew 11:16 (show verse)
But what should I compare the people of this generation with? They are like children sitting in the open shopping market, who call out to their playmates,
Matthew 11:17 (show verse)
We [pretended like we] were making music [at a wedding] but you did not dance; we [pretended like we] were wailing [at a funeral] but you did not beat your chest [in mourning].'
Matthew 11:18 (show verse)
For when John came, he did not eat or drink [on festive occasions] and people said, 'He is dominated by an evil spirit.'
Matthew 11:19 (show verse)
[Then] the Son of man came eating and drinking [at festive occasions] and they said, 'Look, He is a glutton and a drunkard and a friend of tax collectors and worldly people.' It proves that [God's] wise counsel is right by the way things turn out."
Matthew 11:20 (show verse)
Then Jesus began to rebuke the people of the towns where most of His powerful miracles were performed because they did not repent [when they saw Him perform them].
Matthew 11:21 (show verse)
[He said] "It will be too bad for you, Chorazin! It will be too bad for you, Bethsaida! For if the powerful miracles had been performed in [the cities of] Tyre and Sidon which were performed in your presence, they would have repented long ago, [demonstrating it] by wearing sackcloth [i.e., a coarse cloth made of goat hair] and throwing ashes [into the air].
Matthew 11:22 (show verse)
But I tell you, Tyre and Sidon will be shown more leniency on the judgment day than you people will.
Matthew 11:23 (show verse)
And Capernaum, do you think you will be lifted up toward heaven [as a proud city]? [No indeed], you will [surely] go down to the place of the unseen [i.e., become obscure or obliterated as a city]. For if the powerful miracles had been performed in Sodom which were performed in your presence, it would have remained [even] until today.
Matthew 11:24 (show verse)
But I say to you, Sodom will be shown more leniency on the judgment day than you will."
Matthew 11:25 (show verse)
About that time Jesus said [in prayer], "I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things [i.e., the significance of Jesus' words and works] from those who [thought they] were wise and intelligent and have [instead] revealed them to people who are child-like.
Matthew 11:26 (show verse)
Yes Father, you did this because it was very pleasing to you.
Matthew 11:27 (show verse)
"All things have been entrusted to me by my Father and no one [truly] knows the Son except the Father. And neither does anyone [truly] know the Father except the Son and that person to whom the Son wants to reveal Him.
Matthew 11:28 (show verse)
Come to me, all of you who are overworked and overburdened and I will give you rest [i.e., spiritual refreshment].
Matthew 11:29 (show verse)
Accept my reins [on your life], and learn about me, because I am gentle and humble, and [in my service] you will experience rest in your spirits.
Matthew 11:30 (show verse)
For my reins [on your life] are easy [to respond to] and the burden I place [on you] is light."