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John the Baptist Sends Messengers to Jesus(A)

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

(C)And when John had heard (D)in prison about the works of Christ, he [a]sent two of his disciples and said to Him, “Are You (E)the Coming One, or do we look for another?”

Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: (F)The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and (G)the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not (H)offended because of Me.”

(I)As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? (J)A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, (K)and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he of whom it is written:

(L)‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.’

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

16 (Q)“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 [b]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 [c]winebibber, (R)a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ (S)But wisdom is justified by her [d]children.”

Woe to the Impenitent Cities(T)

20 (U)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 (V)in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say to you, (W)it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, (X)who[e] 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 (Y)that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”

Jesus Gives True Rest(Z)

25 (AA)At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that (AB)You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent (AC)and have revealed them to babes. 26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 27 (AD)All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. (AE)Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 Come to (AF)Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you (AG)and learn from Me, for I am [f]gentle and (AH)lowly in heart, (AI)and you will find rest for your souls. 30 (AJ)For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 11:2 NU sent by his
  2. Matthew 11:17 Lit. beat your breast
  3. Matthew 11:19 wine drinker
  4. Matthew 11:19 NU works
  5. Matthew 11:23 NU will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be
  6. Matthew 11:29 meek

Jesus and John the Baptist(A)

11 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples,(B) he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.[a]

When John,(C) who was in prison,(D) heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come,(E) or should we expect someone else?”

Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[b] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.(F) Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”(G)

As John’s(H) disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness(I) to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet?(J) Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,(K)
    who will prepare your way before you.’[c](L)

11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever 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 been subjected to violence,[d] and violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.(M) 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.(N) 15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.(O)

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 pipe for you,
    and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
    and you did not mourn.’

18 For John came neither eating(P) nor drinking,(Q) and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’(R) But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

Woe on Unrepentant Towns(S)

20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!(T) For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon,(U) they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.(V) 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.(W) 23 And you, Capernaum,(X) will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades.[e](Y) 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.”(Z)

The Father Revealed in the Son(AA)

25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father,(AB) Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.(AC) 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

27 “All things have been committed to me(AD) by my Father.(AE) 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.(AF)

28 “Come to me,(AG) all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.(AH) 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,(AI) for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.(AJ) 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”(AK)

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 11:1 Greek in their towns
  2. Matthew 11:5 The Greek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin.
  3. Matthew 11:10 Mal. 3:1
  4. Matthew 11:12 Or been forcefully advancing
  5. Matthew 11:23 That is, the realm of the dead

Juan el Bautista

11 Cuando Jesús terminó de dar estas instrucciones a sus doce discípulos, se fue para enseñar y anunciar las buenas noticias en otros pueblos.

Juan el Bautista, que estaba en la cárcel, oyó hablar de todo lo que Jesús hacía y envió a algunos de sus propios discípulos para que le preguntaran a Jesús:

—¿Eres tú el Mesías que Dios prometió enviarnos, o debemos esperar a otro?

Jesús respondió:

—Regresen y cuéntenle a Juan todo lo que ustedes están oyendo y viendo:

»Ahora los ciegos pueden ver
y los cojos caminan bien.
Los leprosos quedan sanos,
y los sordos ya pueden oír.
Los que estaban muertos
han vuelto a la vida,
y a los pobres se les anuncia
la buena noticia de salvación.

»Dios va a bendecir a los que me ven hacer esto y no me abandonan.»

Cuando los discípulos de Juan se fueron, Jesús comenzó a hablar con la gente acerca de Juan, y les dijo:

«Cuando ustedes fueron al desierto, ¿a quién vieron allí? ¿Acaso vieron a un hombre doblado, como las cañas que dobla el viento? ¿Acaso vieron a alguien vestido con ropa muy lujosa? Recuerden que los que se visten así, viven en palacios, como los reyes. ¿A quién vieron entonces? ¿Acaso vieron a un profeta? ¡Por supuesto que sí! En realidad, Juan era más que un profeta; 10 era el mensajero de quien Dios había hablado cuando dijo:

“Yo envío a mi mensajero
delante de ti,
a preparar todo
para tu llegada.”

11 »Les aseguro que todavía no ha nacido un hombre más importante que Juan el Bautista. Pero en el reino de Dios, la persona menos importante es superior a Juan.

12 »Desde que Juan el Bautista comenzó a predicar hasta ahora, el reino de Dios avanza a pesar de sus enemigos. Sólo la gente valiente y decidida logra formar parte de él.[a] 13 Dios ya había anunciado en la Biblia todo lo que iba a pasar, hasta el momento en que viniera Juan el Bautista. 14 Y créanlo o no, cuando Dios dijo que enviaría al profeta Elías, se estaba refiriendo a Juan el Bautista. 15 Si en verdad tienen oídos, ¡presten atención!

16 »Ustedes, los que viven en esta época, son como los niños que se sientan a jugar en las plazas y les gritan a otros niños:

17 “Tocamos la flauta,
pero ustedes no bailaron.
Cantamos canciones tristes,
pero ustedes no lloraron.”

18 »Porque Juan el Bautista ayunaba, y ustedes decían que dentro de él había un demonio. 19 Luego vine yo, el Hijo del hombre, que como y bebo, y ustedes dicen que soy un glotón y un borracho, que soy amigo de gente de mala fama y de los que no obedecen a Dios. Pero recuerden que la sabiduría de Dios se prueba por sus resultados.»

La gente que no cree

20 Jesús estaba muy disgustado con los pueblos donde había hecho la mayoría de sus milagros, porque la gente de esos lugares no había cambiado su forma de vivir ni quería obedecer sólo a Dios. Por eso les dijo:

21 «Habitantes de Corazín, ¡qué mal les va a ir a ustedes! ¡Y también les va a ir mal a ustedes, los que viven en Betsaida! Si los milagros que se han hecho entre ustedes se hubieran hecho en las ciudades de Tiro y de Sidón, hace tiempo que los que allí viven habrían cambiado su manera de vivir. Se habrían vestido con ropas ásperas y se habrían echado ceniza en la cabeza, para mostrar su arrepentimiento. 22 Les aseguro que en el día del juicio final ustedes van a recibir un castigo mayor que el de ellos.

23 »Y ustedes, habitantes del pueblo de Cafarnaúm, que creen que ya están en el cielo, déjenme decirles que van a ser enviados a lo más profundo del infierno. Si los milagros que se han hecho entre ustedes se hubieran hecho entre los habitantes de la ciudad de Sodoma, ellos habrían cambiado y la ciudad aún existiría. 24 Les aseguro que en el día del juicio final el castigo que ustedes recibirán será peor que el de ellos.»

Jesús alaba a Dios

25 En ese momento, Jesús se dirigió a Dios y le dijo:

«¡Padre, tú gobiernas en el cielo y en la tierra! Te doy gracias porque no mostraste estas cosas a los que saben mucho y son sabios, sino que las mostraste a los niños. 26 Y todo, Padre, porque tú así lo has querido.»

27 A los que estaban allí les dijo:

«Mi Padre me ha dado todo, y es el único que me conoce, porque soy su Hijo. Nadie conoce a mi Padre tan bien como yo. Por eso quiero hablarles a otros acerca de mi Padre, para que ellos también puedan conocerlo.

28 »Ustedes viven siempre angustiados y preocupados. Vengan a mí, y yo los haré descansar. 29 Obedezcan mis mandamientos y aprendan de mí, pues yo soy paciente y humilde de verdad. Conmigo podrán descansar. 30 Lo que yo les impongo no es difícil de cumplir, ni es pesada la carga que les hago llevar.»

Footnotes

  1. Mateo 11:12 Otra posible traducción: Desde que Juan el Bautista comenzó a predicar hasta ahora, el reino de Dios ha sido atacado con furia por gente violenta que trata de destruirlo.

11 And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.

Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:

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.

And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.

But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.

10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.

15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

16 But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,

17 And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.

19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:

21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, 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 unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.

23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.

27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Messengers from John the Baptist

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

(A)Now when John heard (B)in prison about the deeds of (C)the Christ, he sent word by (D)his disciples and said to him, “Are you (E)the one who is to come, or shall we (F)look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: (G)the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers[a] are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and (H)the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who (I)is not offended by me.”

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out (J)into the wilderness to see? (K)A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man[b] dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. What then did you go out to see? (L)A prophet?[c] Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written,

(M)“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
    who will prepare your way before you.’

11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 (N)From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence,[d] and the violent take it by force. 13 (O)For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is (P)Elijah who is to come. 15 (Q)He who has ears to hear,[e] let him hear.

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

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 (R)neither eating (S)nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came (T)eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, (U)a friend of (V)tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”[f]

Woe to Unrepentant Cities

20 (W)Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 (X)“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in (Y)Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 (Z)But I tell you, it will be more bearable on (AA)the day of judgment for (AB)Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, (AC)Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to (AD)Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 (AE)But I tell you that (AF)it will be more tolerable on (AG)the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”

Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest

25 (AH)At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, (AI)Lord of heaven and earth, that (AJ)you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and (AK)revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your (AL)gracious will.[g] 27 (AM)All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son (AN)except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone (AO)to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 (AP)Come to (AQ)me, all who labor and are (AR)heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and (AS)learn from me, for I am (AT)gentle and lowly in heart, and (AU)you will find rest for your souls. 30 For (AV)my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 11:5 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13
  2. Matthew 11:8 Or Why then did you go out? To see a man
  3. Matthew 11:9 Some manuscripts Why then did you go out? To see a prophet?
  4. Matthew 11:12 Or has been coming violently
  5. Matthew 11:15 Some manuscripts omit to hear
  6. Matthew 11:19 Some manuscripts children (compare Luke 7:35)
  7. Matthew 11:26 Or for so it pleased you well