11:1 When Jesus finished instructing his twelve1 disciples, he departed that place to teach and preach in their cities.
11:2 Now when John, while imprisoned, heard of the activities of the Anointed of God [Messiah, Christ], he sent a message with his disciples –
11:3 who asked him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for someone else?”
11:4 Jesus replied, saying to them, “Go and report to John about the things you hear and see.
11:5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the humble are preached the gospel.
11:6 And blessed is he who is not impeded by me.”
11:7 As they were leaving, Jesus began speaking to the crowds about John: “What did you go into the wilderness to see – a reed twisting in the wind?
11:8 What then did you go out to see – a man clothed in silk robes? Those who wear silk clothing live in kings’ palaces.
11:9 Who then did you go out to see – a Prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a Prophet.
11:10 For this is of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your path ahead of you.’2
11:11 Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet one who is humbled in the sanctuary of the spiritual realm is greater than he.
11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the material world suffers violence and the violent take it forcefully.
11:13 All the Prophets and the Scripture preached prior to John.
11:14 And if you can accept it – he is Elijah, who was to come.
11:15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
11:16 But to what should I compare this generation? It is like children who sit in the markets and call their friends –
11:17 saying, we have played flutes for you and you have not danced; we have mourned to you and you have not lamented.
11:18 For John came neither eating nor drinking and they said, “He has a demon.”
11:19 The Servant of Humanity came eating and drinking and they say, ‘Just see, a man who is an eater and a drinker, a friend of publicans and sinners.’ Yet wisdom is exhibited by her offspring.”
11:20 Then he began to admonish the villages where most of his mighty works were done, because they did not have a change of heart:
11:21 “Woe to you, Chorazin, woe to you, Bethsaida, for if the mighty works that were done within you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have had a change of heart long ago – with sackcloth and ashes.
11:22 But I say to you – it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the moment of judgment than for you.
11:23 And you, Capernaum, exalted in the world – you shall be brought down to hell: For if the mighty works that have been done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained through today.
11:24 But I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the town of Sodom at the moment of judgment than for you.”
11:25 Then Jesus prayed, “I praise You LORD, Master of heaven and earth – because You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them to children.
11:26 Yes, LORD, this is what has pleased You to do.”
11:27 “All these things have been given to me by my LORD, as no one knows the Servant except the Creator. Nor does anyone know the Creator except the Servant – and anyone to whom the Servant pleases to reveal Him to.
11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary with heavy burdens, and I will give you comfort.
11:29 Take my refuge upon you and learn from me: For I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your soul.
11:30 For my refuge is easy and my load is light.”
Footnotes:
1. Verse 11:1. According to Luke 10:1, the number of disciples Jesus sent out was 72. See also Verse 10:1.
2. Verse 11:10.
11:2 Now when John, while imprisoned, heard of the activities of the Anointed of God [Messiah, Christ], he sent a message with his disciples –
11:3 who asked him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for someone else?”
11:4 Jesus replied, saying to them, “Go and report to John about the things you hear and see.
11:5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the humble are preached the gospel.
11:6 And blessed is he who is not impeded by me.”
11:7 As they were leaving, Jesus began speaking to the crowds about John: “What did you go into the wilderness to see – a reed twisting in the wind?
11:8 What then did you go out to see – a man clothed in silk robes? Those who wear silk clothing live in kings’ palaces.
11:9 Who then did you go out to see – a Prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a Prophet.
11:10 For this is of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your path ahead of you.’2
11:11 Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet one who is humbled in the sanctuary of the spiritual realm is greater than he.
11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the material world suffers violence and the violent take it forcefully.
11:13 All the Prophets and the Scripture preached prior to John.
11:14 And if you can accept it – he is Elijah, who was to come.
11:15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
11:16 But to what should I compare this generation? It is like children who sit in the markets and call their friends –
11:17 saying, we have played flutes for you and you have not danced; we have mourned to you and you have not lamented.
11:18 For John came neither eating nor drinking and they said, “He has a demon.”
11:19 The Servant of Humanity came eating and drinking and they say, ‘Just see, a man who is an eater and a drinker, a friend of publicans and sinners.’ Yet wisdom is exhibited by her offspring.”
11:20 Then he began to admonish the villages where most of his mighty works were done, because they did not have a change of heart:
11:21 “Woe to you, Chorazin, woe to you, Bethsaida, for if the mighty works that were done within you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have had a change of heart long ago – with sackcloth and ashes.
11:22 But I say to you – it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the moment of judgment than for you.
11:23 And you, Capernaum, exalted in the world – you shall be brought down to hell: For if the mighty works that have been done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained through today.
11:24 But I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the town of Sodom at the moment of judgment than for you.”
11:25 Then Jesus prayed, “I praise You LORD, Master of heaven and earth – because You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them to children.
11:26 Yes, LORD, this is what has pleased You to do.”
11:27 “All these things have been given to me by my LORD, as no one knows the Servant except the Creator. Nor does anyone know the Creator except the Servant – and anyone to whom the Servant pleases to reveal Him to.
11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary with heavy burdens, and I will give you comfort.
11:29 Take my refuge upon you and learn from me: For I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your soul.
11:30 For my refuge is easy and my load is light.”
Footnotes:
1. Verse 11:1. According to Luke 10:1, the number of disciples Jesus sent out was 72. See also Verse 10:1.
2. Verse 11:10.
"I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty. (Malachi 1:1, NIV)
