Matthew 11:1-19
World English Bible
11 When Jesus had finished directing his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and preach in their cities.
2 Now when John heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?”
4 Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear,
7 As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet. 10 For this is he, of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’
16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their companions 17 and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned for you, and you didn’t 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, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”[b]
Read full chapter
Matthew 11:1-19
International Standard Version
11 When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he left there to teach and preach in their home towns.
John the Baptist Sends Messengers to Jesus(A)
2 Now when John heard in prison about the activities of the Messiah,[a] he sent a message[b] by his disciples 3 and asked him, “Are you the Coming One, or should we wait for someone else?”
4 Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and observe: 5 the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the destitute hear the good news. 6 How blessed is anyone who is not offended by me!”
7 As they were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John. “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 Really, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fancy clothes? See, those who wear fancy clothes live in kings’ houses. 9 Really, what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and even more than a prophet! 10 This is the man about whom it is written,
‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’[c]
11 I tell all of you[d] with certainty, among those born of women no one has appeared who is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least important person in the kingdom from[e] heaven is greater than he.
12 “From the days of John the Baptist until the present, the kingdom from[f] heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people have been attacking it, 13 because the Law and all the Prophets prophesied up to the time of John. 14 If you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.[g] 15 Let the person who has ears[h] listen!
16 “To what can I compare the people living today? They’re[i] like little children who sit in the marketplaces and shout to each other,
17 ‘A wedding song we played for you,
the dance you all did scorn.
A woeful dirge we chanted, too,
but then you would not mourn.’
18 Because John didn’t come eating or drinking, yet people[j] say, ‘He has a demon!’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’
Absolved from every act of sin,
is wisdom by her kith and kin.”[k]
Footnotes
- Matthew 11:2 Or Christ
- Matthew 11:2 The Gk. lacks a message
- Matthew 11:10 Cf. Mal 3:1
- Matthew 11:11 The Gk. pronoun you is pl.
- Matthew 11:11 Lit. of
- Matthew 11:12 Lit. of
- Matthew 11:14 Or is about to come
- Matthew 11:15 Other mss. read ears to hear
- Matthew 11:16 Lit. compare this generation? It’s
- Matthew 11:18 Lit. they
- Matthew 11:19 Lit. by all her children; other mss. read by her actions
by Public Domain. The name "World English Bible" is trademarked.
Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.