Messengers from John the Baptist
1 When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.
2 For ver. 2-19, see Luke 7:18-35Now when John heard ch. 14:3;[ch. 4:12] in prison about the deeds of See ch. 1:17the Christ, he sent word by See ch. 9:14his disciples 3 and said to him, "Are you John 4:25;6:14;11:27the one who is to come, or shall we [Luke 3:15]look for another?" 4 And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see:5 See Luke 7:22the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers11:5 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and Luke 4:18;[ch. 5:3;James 2:5]the poor have good news preached to them.6 And blessed is the one who Isa. 8:14,15;John 6:61is not offended by me."
7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out ch. 3:1;Luke 1:80into the wilderness to see? [Eph. 4:14;James 1:6]A reed shaken by the wind?8 What then did you go out to see? A man11:8 Or Why then did you go out? To see a mandressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.9 What then did you go out to see? ch. 14:5;21:26;Luke 1:76A prophet?11:9 Some manuscripts Why then did you go out? To see a prophet?Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.10 This is he of whom it is written,
Mark 1:2;Cited from Mal. 3:1"‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’
11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.12 Luke 16:16From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence,11:12 Or has been coming violentlyand the violent take it by force.13 [See ver. 12above]For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John,14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is ch. 17:10-13;Mal. 4:5;Mark 9:11-13;Luke 1:17;[John 1:21]Elijah who is to come.15 ch. 13:9,43;Luke 8:8;14:35He who has ears to hear,11:15 Some manuscripts omit to hearlet him hear.
16 "But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,
17 "‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’
18 For John came ch. 3:4;Mark 1:6neither eating Luke 1:15nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’19 The Son of Man came ch. 9:10;Luke 7:36;14:1;John 2:1;12:2eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, ch. 9:11;Luke 15:2;19:7a friend of ch. 18:17tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds."11:19 Some manuscripts children (compare Luke 7:35)
Woe to Unrepentant Cities
20 [Ps. 81:11-13;Isa. 1:2-5]Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 For ver. 21-24, see Luke 10:12-15"Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in ch. 15:21;Mark 3:8;[Isa. 23;Ezek. 28:2-24;Amos 1:9,10]Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.22 [Luke 12:47,48] But I tell you, it will be more bearable on See Acts 17:31the day of judgment for [See ver. 21above]Tyre and Sidon than for you.23 And you, Cited from Isa. 14:13-15Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to ch. 16:18(Gk.);Luke 16:23;Acts 2:27Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.24 [See ver. 22above] But I tell you that ch. 10:15it will be more tolerable on [See ver. 22above]the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you."
Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest
25 For ver. 25-27, see Luke 10:21,22At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, See Acts 17:24Lord of heaven and earth, that Job 37:24;1 Cor. 1:19-27;2 Cor. 3:14you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and ch. 21:16;Ps. 8:2;[ch. 13:11; 16:17]revealed them to little children;26 yes, Father, for such was your Luke 12:32;Gal. 1:15gracious will.11:26 Or for so it pleased you well27 See ch. 28:18All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son [John 1:18;6:46;7:29;8:19;10:15;17:25] except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone [John 17:26]to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.28 John 7:37;[John 6:37] Come to [ver. 3] me, all who labor and are [ch. 23:4;Luke 11:46]heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you, and John 13:15;Eph. 4:20;Phil. 2:5;1 Pet. 2:21;1 John 2:6learn from me, for I am Zech. 9:9;2 Cor. 10:1;Phil. 2:7,8;[ch. 5:5] gentle and lowly in heart, and Jer. 6:16you will find rest for your souls.30 For 1 John 5:3my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."