Matthew 11

So, Jesus completed instructing his 12 apprentices {about what they should do}. Then, he left that place in order to proclaim {the good news to people} in the towns throughout the area.

Meanwhile, John the Baptizer was in jail. People told him about what {Jesus} the Messiah was doing. So, he sent some of his apprentices

to ask Jesus, “Are you the one whom {God promised} would come, or should we be waiting for someone else?” \*

So Jesus answered John’s apprentices, “Go back and tell John what you have heard and seen.

People who were blind are now seeing. People who could not walk are now walking. People who had skin diseases no longer have them. People who were deaf can now hear. People who were dead are alive again. I am proclaiming good news to poor people.

God will bless anyone who {sees what I do and hears what I teach and} continues to believe in me.” \*

When John’s apprentices left, Jesus started to talk to the large groups of people about John. He said, “Surely you did not travel to John in the desolate area to see someone who often changed his mind, who was like the thin stalk of a plant that the wind shakes.

Surely you did not travel {to the desolate area} to see someone who wore fancy clothes. You know very well that the people who wear fancy clothes live in palaces{, not in desolate areas}. \*

Surely you traveled {to the desolate area} to see a man who spoke for God. Yes{, that is who John is}! But I want to tell you that John is more significant than other people who speak for God.

He is the one about whom a prophet wrote in the Scriptures: ‘Listen, I am sending my messenger ahead of you. He will make things ready for when you come.’ \*

Of all the people who have ever lived, there has been no one more important than John the Baptizer. However, the most insignificant people who participate in God’s heavenly kingdom are more important than John. What I have said is true.

From the time when John the Baptizer began to preach publicly until this time, people have attacked God’s heavenly kingdom. Indeed, violent people try to conquer it. \*

Further, before John {began to preach}, the laws that God gave Moses and the things that the prophets wrote predicted {what is now happening}.

In fact, if you trust what I say, you can know that John is the one {whom God promised} would come, {the one who is like} the prophet Elijah.

You should think carefully about what you just heard me say! \*

{I will tell you} what {you people who live in} this time period are like. You are like children playing games in an open area. They call out to their friends,

‘We played happy music for you on the flute, but you did not dance! Then we sang sad funeral songs for you, but you did not grieve!’ \*

Similarly, when John came to you and often did not eat or drink, people {rejected him and} said, ‘A demon is controlling him!’

But when I, the Son of Man, came to you and I enjoyed food and drink, people {rejected me and} said, ‘Look! This man eats too much food and drinks too much wine, and he associates with people who collect taxes and other sinful people!’ But those who are wise themselves recognize that what John and I do is also wise.” \*

Now people who lived in the towns where Jesus had done many powerful things did not stop doing what was wrong. So, Jesus began to scold them:

“How terrible it will be for you people who live in the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida! I say this because I did powerful things while I was in your cities. If I had done those same powerful things in {the ancient cities of} Tyre and Sidon, the {wicked} people who lived there would have stopped doing what was wrong. They would have shown how sorry they were by wearing coarse clothing and putting ashes on their heads.

So I want to tell you that when God judges everyone, he will punish you more severely than {the wicked people who lived in} Tyre and Sidon. \*

I also have something to say to you people who live in the town of Capernaum. You may think that God is going to give you great rewards. No, God is not going to reward you at all! I say this because I did powerful things while I was in your town. If I had done those same powerful things in {the city of} Sodom, the {wicked} people who lived there {would have stopped doing what was wrong, and} God would not have destroyed them.

So I want to tell you that when God judges everyone, he will punish you more severely than {the wicked people who lived in} the region of Sodom.” \*

Then Jesus responded by praying, “God my Father, you are Lord over everything you have made. I praise you that you have prevented people who think they are smart from understanding things. Instead, you have revealed them to people who accept {what you say} as readily as little children do.

That is true, my Father, and you have done that because it pleased you to do so.”

{Then Jesus told the people who were there,} “God, my Father, has given everything to me. Only my Father really knows me, his Son. And only I, his Son, really know my Father. But I do choose to show some people who he is. \*

Many of you feel tired and are struggling. Become my apprentices! I will enable you to rest.

I am not forceful or proud, and I will help you to rest. So, do what I command and listen to what I teach.

{I say that} because you can easily do what I command. Indeed, you can easily do what I ask you to do.” \*