Matthew 11  Modern English Version

11 When Jesus finished instructing His twelve disciples, He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.

The Messengers From John the Baptist^(A)

² Now when John had heard in prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, ³ and said to Him, “Are You He who should come, or should we look for another?”

⁴ Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: ⁵ The blind receive their sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.^{[a] 6} Blessed is he who does not fall away because of Me.”

⁷ As they departed, Jesus began to say to the crowds concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? ⁸ If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. ⁹ Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ For this is he of whom it is written:

¹¹ Truly I say to you, among those who are born of women, there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist. But he who is 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 forcefully advanced, and the strong take it by force. ¹³ For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. ¹⁴ And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah, who is to come. ¹⁵ He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

¹⁶ “But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the markets, calling to their friends, ¹⁷ saying:

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, ‘Here is a gluttonous man, a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”

Unrepentant Cities^(B)

²⁰ Then He began to reprimand the cities where most of His mighty works were 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 in sackcloth and ashes. ²² But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the Day of Judgment than for you. ²³ And you, Capernaum, who is exalted toward heaven, will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works which have been done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. ²⁴ But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the Day of Judgment than for you.”

Come to Me and Rest^(C)

²⁵ At that time Jesus said, “I thank You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to infants. ²⁶ Even so, Father, for it seemed good in Your sight.

²⁷ “All things are 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 he to whom the Son will reveal Him.

²⁸ “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me. For I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.^{[c] 30} For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”