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]
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Matthew 11:1-19
Holman Christian Standard Bible
In Praise of John the Baptist
11 When Jesus had finished giving orders to His 12 disciples, He moved on from there to teach and preach in their towns.(A) 2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent a message by his disciples(B) 3 and asked Him, “Are You the One who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”(C)
4 Jesus replied to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: 5 the blind see, the lame walk, those with skin diseases are healed,[a] the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news.(D) 6 And if anyone is not offended because of Me, he is blessed.”(E)
7 As these men went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind?(F) 8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothes? Look, those who wear soft clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet.(G) 10 This is the one it is written about:
11 “I assure you: Among those born of women no one greater than John the Baptist has appeared,[d] but the 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 suffering violence,[e] and the violent have been seizing it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John; 14 if you’re willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who is to come.(I) 15 Anyone who has ears[f] should listen!(J)
An Unresponsive Generation
16 “To what should I compare this generation? It’s like children sitting in the marketplaces who call out to each other:
17 We played the flute for you,
but you didn’t dance;
we sang a lament,
but you didn’t mourn![g]
18 For John did not come eating or drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’(K) 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard,(L) a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’(M) Yet wisdom is vindicated[h] by her deeds.”[i]
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- Matthew 11:5 Lit cleansed
- Matthew 11:10 Lit messenger before Your face
- Matthew 11:10 Mal 3:1
- Matthew 11:11 Lit arisen
- Matthew 11:12 Or has been forcefully advancing
- Matthew 11:15 Other mss add to hear
- Matthew 11:17 Or beat your breasts
- Matthew 11:19 Or declared right
- Matthew 11:19 Other mss read children
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