Matthew 11

When Jesus finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their towns. When John heard in prison about the works of the Christ, he sent a message through his disciples and asked him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, those with leprosy are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is the one who does not stumble because of me.” As they went away, 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? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Look, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one of whom it is written: ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one greater than John the Baptist has arisen. Yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men seize it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. Let anyone who has ears listen. But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, calling to the others and saying,
‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a lament, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her works.” Then he began to reproach the towns where most of his miracles had taken place, because they had not repented: “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to Hades! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, nor does anyone know the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Rights and attribution