Matthew 11
Amplified Bible
John’s Questions
11 When Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He went on from there to teach and to preach in their [Galilean] cities.
2 Now when [a]John [the Baptist] in prison heard about the activities of Christ, he sent word by his disciples(A) 3 and asked Him, “Are You the Expected One (the Messiah), or should we look for someone else [who will be the promised One]?”(B) 4 Jesus answered, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive [their] sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed [by healing] and the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.(C) 6 And blessed [joyful, favored by God] is he who does not take offense at Me [accepting Me as the Messiah and trusting confidently in My message of salvation].”(D)
Jesus’ Tribute to John
7 As these men were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out in the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind [which is commonplace]? 8 What did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing [entirely unsuited for the harsh desert]? Those who wear soft clothing are in the palaces of kings! 9 But what did you [really] go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one [more eminent, more remarkable, and] [b]far more than a prophet [who foretells the future]. 10 This is the one of whom it is written [by the prophet Malachi],
‘Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You,
Who will prepare Your way before You.’(E)
11 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater [in privilege] than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize]. 13 For all the prophets and the Law prophesied up until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is [the fulfillment of] Elijah [as the messenger] who was to come [before the kingdom].(F) 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear and heed My words.
16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like little children sitting in the market places, who call to the others, 17 and say ‘We piped the flute for you [playing wedding], and you did not dance; we wailed sad dirges [playing funeral], and you did not mourn and cry aloud.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking [with others], and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking [with others], and they say, ‘Look! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners [including non-observant Jews]!’ Yet wisdom is justified and vindicated by her deeds [in the lives of those who respond to Me].”
The Unrepenting Cities
20 Then He began to denounce [the people in] the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent [and change their hearts and lives]. 21 “Woe (judgment is coming) to you, [c]Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon [cities of the Gentiles], they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes [their hearts would have been changed and they would have expressed sorrow for their sin and rebellion against God]. 22 Nevertheless I say to you, it will be more tolerable for [the pagan cities of] Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, are you to be exalted to heaven [for your apathy and unresponsiveness]? You will descend to Hades (the realm of the dead); for if the miracles done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment, than for you.”
Come to Me
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth [I openly and joyfully acknowledge Your great wisdom], that You have hidden these things [these spiritual truths] from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to infants [to new believers, to those seeking God’s will and purpose]. 26 Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. 27 All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one fully knows and accurately understands the Son except the Father; and no one fully knows and accurately understands the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son [deliberately] wills to reveal Him.
28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls.(G) 30 For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light.”
Footnotes
- Matthew 11:2 John and Jesus were about the same age and were related through their mothers, Elizabeth and Mary (Luke 1:36).
- Matthew 11:9 John was unique among the prophets because he was sent to prepare the hearts of the people for the immediate disclosure of their Messiah.
- Matthew 11:21 A city near Capernaum, where Jesus later made His home. They would have heard His teachings many times.
Mateo 11
Dios Habla Hoy
11 Cuando Jesús terminó de dar instrucciones a sus doce discípulos, se fue de allí a enseñar y anunciar el mensaje en los pueblos de aquella región.
Los enviados de Juan el Bautista(A)
2 Juan, que estaba en la cárcel, tuvo noticias de lo que Cristo estaba haciendo. Entonces envió algunos de sus seguidores 3 a que le preguntaran si él era de veras el que había de venir, o si debían esperar a otro.
4 Jesús les contestó: «Vayan y díganle a Juan lo que están viendo y oyendo. 5 Cuéntenle que los ciegos ven, los cojos andan, los leprosos quedan limpios de su enfermedad, los sordos oyen, los muertos vuelven a la vida y a los pobres se les anuncia la buena noticia. 6 ¡Y dichoso aquel que no encuentre en mí motivo de tropiezo!»
7 Cuando ellos se fueron, Jesús comenzó a hablar a la gente acerca de Juan, diciendo: «¿Qué salieron ustedes a ver al desierto? ¿Una caña sacudida por el viento? 8 Y si no, ¿qué salieron a ver? ¿Un hombre vestido lujosamente? Ustedes saben que los que se visten lujosamente están en las casas de los reyes. 9 En fin, ¿a qué salieron? ¿A ver a un profeta? Sí, de veras, y a uno que es mucho más que profeta. 10 Juan es aquel de quien dice la Escritura:
»“Yo envío mi mensajero delante de ti,
para que te prepare el camino.”
11 Les aseguro que, entre todos los hombres, ninguno ha sido más grande que Juan el Bautista; y, sin embargo, el más pequeño en el reino de los cielos es más grande que él.
12 »Desde que vino Juan el Bautista hasta ahora, el reino de los cielos sufre violencia, y los que usan la fuerza pretenden acabar con él. 13 Todos los profetas y la ley fueron sólo un anuncio del reino, hasta que vino Juan; 14 y, si ustedes quieren aceptar esto, Juan es el profeta Elías que había de venir. 15 Los que tienen oídos, oigan.
16 »¿A qué compararé la gente de este tiempo? Se parece a los niños que se sientan a jugar en las plazas y gritan a sus compañeros: 17 “Tocamos la flauta, pero ustedes no bailaron; cantamos canciones tristes, pero ustedes no lloraron.” 18 Porque vino Juan, que ni come ni bebe, y dicen que tiene un demonio. 19 Luego ha venido el Hijo del hombre, que come y bebe, y dicen que es glotón y bebedor, amigo de gente de mala fama y de los que cobran impuestos para Roma. Pero la sabiduría de Dios se demuestra por sus resultados.»
Reproches contra las ciudades incrédulas(B)
20 Entonces Jesús comenzó a reprender a los pueblos donde había hecho la mayor parte de sus milagros, porque no se habían vuelto a Dios. Decía Jesús: 21 «¡Ay de ti, Corazín! ¡Ay de ti, Betsaida! Porque si en Tiro y Sidón se hubieran hecho los milagros que se han hecho entre ustedes, ya hace tiempo que se habrían vuelto a Dios, cubiertos de ropas ásperas y ceniza. 22 Pero les digo que en el día del juicio el castigo para ustedes será peor que para la gente de Tiro y Sidón. 23 Y tú, Cafarnaúm, ¿crees que serás levantado hasta el cielo? ¡Bajarás hasta lo más hondo del abismo! Porque si en Sodoma se hubieran hecho los milagros que se han hecho en ti, esa ciudad habría permanecido hasta el día de hoy. 24 Pero les digo que en el día del juicio el castigo para ti será peor que para la región de Sodoma.»
Sólo el Hijo sabe quién es el Padre(C)
25 En aquel tiempo, Jesús dijo: «Te alabo, Padre, Señor del cielo y de la tierra, porque has mostrado a los sencillos las cosas que escondiste de los sabios y entendidos. 26 Sí, Padre, porque así lo has querido.
27 »Mi Padre me ha entregado todas las cosas. Nadie conoce realmente al Hijo, sino el Padre; y nadie conoce realmente al Padre, sino el Hijo y aquellos a quienes el Hijo quiera darlo a conocer. 28 Vengan a mí todos ustedes que están cansados de sus trabajos y cargas, y yo los haré descansar. 29 Acepten el yugo que les pongo, y aprendan de mí, que soy paciente y de corazón humilde; así encontrarán descanso. 30 Porque el yugo que les pongo y la carga que les doy a llevar son ligeros.»
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