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

Yesu ne Yokaana Omubatiza

11 (A)Awo Yesu bwe yamala okulagira abayigirizwa be ekkumi n’ababiri n’avaayo n’agenda okubuulira n’okuyigiriza mu bibuga byabwe.

(B)Yokaana Omubatiza, eyali omusibe mu kkomera mu kiseera ekyo, bwe yawulira emirimu Kristo gye yali akola, n’amutumira abayigirizwa be. (C)Ne babuuza Yesu nti, “Ggwe wuuyo gwe tubadde tulindirira, nantiki tulindirireyo omulala?”

Yesu n’abaddamu nti, “Muddeeyo eri Yokaana mumugambe bye mulaba ne bye muwulira. (D)Abazibe b’amaaso balaba, n’abalema batambula. Abagenge balongoosebwa ne bakiggala bawulira, n’abafu bazuukizibwa n’abaavu babuulirwa Enjiri. (E)Era mumumpeere obubaka buno nti, ‘Alina omukisa oyo atanneesittalako.’ ”

(F)Awo abayigirizwa ba Yokaana Omubatiza bwe baamala okugenda, Yesu n’ategeeza abantu ebya Yokaana nti, “Bwe mwagenda mu ddungu mwagenderera kulaba ki? Olumuli olunyeenyezebwa n’empewo? Naye kiki kye mwagenda okulaba? Omuntu ayambadde engoye ezinekaaneka? Laba abambala engoye ennungi babeera mu mbiri za bakabaka. (G)Naye mwagenda kulaba ki? Nnabbi. Weewaawo ka mbabuulire, oyo asinga ne nnabbi. 10 (H)Kubanga ye oyo ayogerwako mu Byawandiikibwa nti,

“ ‘Ndiweereza omubaka wange akukulembere,
    alikuteekerateekera ekkubo nga tonnajja.’

11 Ddala ddala mbagamba nti tewabangawo muntu eyazaalibwa omukazi asinga Yokaana Omubatiza. Naye asembayo okuba omukulu mu bwakabaka obw’omu ggulu asinga Yokaana. 12 Era okuva mu biro bya Yokaana Omubatiza n’okutuusa kaakano, obwakabaka obw’omu ggulu buyingirwa n’amaanyi, era abantu ab’amaanyi ennyo be babutwala. 13 Kubanga amateeka gonna era n’obunnabbi byonna byayogera okutuukira ddala ku Yokaana. 14 (I)Era obanga mwagala okukkiriza, ye Eriya anaatera okujja. 15 (J)Alina amatu agawulira, awulire.”

16 “Eggwanga lino nnaaligeraageranya ku ki? Bafaanana ng’abaana abato abazannya emizannyo gyabwe mu katale, nga bagamba bato bannaabwe nti,

17 “ ‘Twabafuuyira omulere,
    ne mutazina;
ne tuyimba oluyimba olw’okukungubaga,
    ne mutakungubaga.’

18 (K)Kubanga Yokaana eyali talya wadde okunywa yajja ne mugamba nti, ‘Aliko dayimooni.’ 19 (L)Omwana w’Omuntu, bwe yajja ng’alya era ng’anywa, ne boogera nti, ‘Wa mululu, muntu munywi, era mukwano gw’abasolooza b’omusolo n’aboonoonyi. B’abeeramu!’ So nga amagezi geeragira mu bikolwa.”

20 Yesu n’anenya nnyo ebibuga mwe yakolera ebyamagero ebisinga obungi, kubanga tebeenenya. 21 (M)“Zikusanze, ggwe Kolaziini! Zikusanze ggwe Besusayida! Kubanga ebyamagero bye nakolera mu mmwe, singa nabikolera mu Ttuulo ne mu Sidoni, bandibadde beenenya dda nga bali mu bibukutu n’evvu ku mitwe gyabwe. 22 (N)Ddala ddala Ttuulo ne Sidoni biriyisibwa bulungiko okusinga mmwe ku lunaku olw’okusalirako omusango! 23 (O)Naawe Kaperunawumu, newaakubadde nga wagulumizibwa okutuuka eggulu gye likoma, naye oliserengesebwa wansi emagombe. Kubanga ebyamagero eby’ekitalo ebyakolebwa ewuwo, singa byakolerwa mu Sodomu, kyandibadde kikyaliwo ne leero. 24 (P)Ddala ddala Sodomu kigenda kuyisibwa bulungiko, okusinga ggwe, ku lunaku olw’okusalirako omusango!”

Abakooye n’Abazitoowereddwa

25 (Q)Yesu n’asaba bw’ati nti, “Ayi Kitange, Mukama w’eggulu n’ensi, nkwebaza kubanga ebigambo byo bino eby’amazima wabikisa abo abeeyita ab’amagezi ennyo, naye n’obibikkulira abaana abato. 26 Weewaawo Kitange, bw’otyo bwe wasiima.”

27 (R)“Kitange yankwasa ebintu byonna era Kitange yekka y’amanyi Omwana, nange Omwana Nze nzekka Nze mmanyi Kitange, n’abo Omwana b’aba ayagadde okulaga Kitaawe nabo bamumanyi.”

28 (S)“Mujje gye ndi mmwe mwenna abakooye era abazitoowereddwa, nange nnaabawummuza. 29 (T)Musitule ekikoligo kyange, muyigire ku nze, kubanga ndi muwombeefu era omuteefu mu mutima, n’emyoyo gyammwe girifuna ekiwummulo. 30 (U)Kubanga ekikoligo kyange kyangu, n’omugugu gwange teguzitowa.”

Jesus and John the Baptist

11 Jesus finished telling these things to his 12 followers. Then he left there and went to the towns in Galilee to teach and preach.

John the Baptist was in prison, but he heard about the things the Christ was doing. So John sent some of his followers to Jesus. They asked Jesus, “Are you the man who John said was coming, or should we wait for another one?”

Jesus answered, “Go back to John and tell him about the things you hear and see: The blind can see. The crippled can walk. People with harmful skin diseases are healed. The deaf can hear. The dead are raised to life. And the Good News is told to the poor. The person who does not lose faith because of me is blessed.”

As John’s followers were leaving, Jesus began talking to the people about John. Jesus said, “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed[a] blown by the wind? No. Really, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No. Those people who wear fine clothes live in kings’ palaces. So what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, and I tell you, John is more than a prophet. 10 This was written about John in the Scriptures:

‘I will send my messenger ahead of you.
    He will prepare the way for you.’ Malachi 3:1

11 I tell you the truth: John the Baptist is greater than any other man who has ever lived. But even the least important person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John. 12 Since the time John the Baptist came until now, the kingdom of heaven has been going forward in strength. People using force have been trying to take the kingdom. 13 All the prophets and the law of Moses spoke until the time John came. They told about the things that would happen. 14 And if you will believe the things the law and the prophets said, then you will believe that John is Elijah. The law and the prophets said he would come. 15 Let those with ears use them and listen!

16 “What can I say about the people who live today? What are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace. One group calls to the other,

17 ‘We played music for you, but you did not dance;
    we sang a sad song, but you did not cry.’

18 John came, and he did not eat like other people or drink wine. And people say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came, eating and drinking wine, and people say, ‘Look at him! He eats too much and drinks too much. He is a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”’ But wisdom is proved to be right by the things it does.”

Jesus Warns Unbelievers

20 Then Jesus criticized the cities where he did most of his miracles. He criticized them because the people there did not change their lives and stop sinning. 21 Jesus said, “How terrible for you, Korazin! How terrible for you, Bethsaida! I did many miracles in you. If those same miracles had happened in Tyre and Sidon,[b] then the people there would have changed their lives a long time ago. They would have worn rough cloth and put ashes on themselves to show that they had changed. 22 But I tell you, on the Judgment Day it will be worse for you than for Tyre and Sidon. 23 And you, Capernaum,[c] will you be lifted up to heaven? No. You will be thrown down to the depths. I did many miracles in you. If those same miracles had happened in Sodom,[d] its people would have stopped sinning, and it would still be a city today. 24 But I tell you it will be worse for you on the Judgment Day than for Sodom.”

Jesus Offers Rest to People

25 Then Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. I praise you because you have hidden these things from the people who are wise and smart. But you have shown them to those who are like little children. 26 Yes, Father, this is what you really wanted.

27 “My Father has given me all things. No one knows the Son—only the Father knows the Son. And no one knows the Father—only the Son knows the Father. And the only people who will know about the Father are those whom the Son chooses to tell.

28 “Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads. I will give you rest. 29 Accept my work and learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will find rest for your souls. 30 The work that I ask you to accept is easy. The load I give you to carry is not heavy.”

Footnotes

  1. 11:7 reed It means that John was not weak like grass blown by the wind.
  2. 11:21 Tyre and Sidon Towns where wicked people lived.
  3. 11:21-23 Korazin . . . Bethsaida . . . Capernaum Towns by Lake Galilee where Jesus preached to the people.
  4. 11:23 Sodom City that God destroyed because the people were so evil.

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