The Gospels · Chapter 11 of 28

Matthew 11

The imprisoned John sends disciples to ask whether Jesus is the Coming One, and Jesus points to his works of healing and good news for the poor. He honors John as more than a prophet and the promised Elijah, laments a generation pleased by nothing, and reproaches unrepentant cities. Then he thanks the Father for revealing truth to the humble and offers rest to all who are weary and heavy laden.

What happens in Matthew 11

After finishing his instructions to the twelve, Jesus teaches in the cities. John, now in prison, sends to ask if Jesus is the one who should come. Jesus answers by describing his works: the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor hear the gospel, blessing whoever is not offended in him. He praises John as more than a prophet, indeed the promised Elijah, yet says the least in the kingdom is greater.

He compares the generation to sulking children pleased by neither John's fasting nor his own feasting, and rebukes Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for refusing to repent despite mighty works. Then he thanks the Father for hiding these things from the wise and revealing them to babes, declares that no one knows the Father except through the Son, and calls all who labor and are heavy laden to come to him for rest under his easy yoke.

Matthew 11 in context

Between the mission discourse of chapter ten and the growing conflict of chapter twelve, this chapter probes the pressing question of Jesus's true identity. John's doubt from prison, the crowds' indifference, and the unrepentant cities all press the issue from different angles, and Jesus answers not with argument but with his works and a personal invitation that reveals his unique and intimate bond with the Father.

Main themes of Matthew 11

Matthew 11 (KJV)

1And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. 2Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? 4Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. 7And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 8But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. 10For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 11Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. 13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. 15He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 16But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, 17And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. 18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. 19The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children. 20Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: 21Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 23And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee. 25At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. 27All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. 28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Verses to carry from Matthew 11

“The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.”Matthew 11:5

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”Matthew 11:28

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”Matthew 11:29

Reflection

Jesus does not wait for us to become wise or strong; he reveals the Father to the lowly and calls the weary by name. Whatever burdens press today, his invitation stands: come to him. His yoke is not one more demand but rest, because the Master who wears it beside us is gentle and lowly in heart.

A prayer from Matthew 11