Matthew 11

Messengers from John the Baptist

1 And 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. References Jesus: Matthew 9:35, Acts 10:38. Parallel theme: Luke 8:1

2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, References John: Matthew 4:12, 9:14, 14:3, Mark 6:17, John 4:1

3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Parallel theme: Micah 5:2, Malachi 3:1, John 11:27, Hebrews 10:37

4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:

5 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. Parallel theme: Matthew 21:14, Isaiah 29:18, Luke 4:18, John 5:36, 10:25, 10:38, James 2:5 +2

6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. Blessing: Psalms 119:1. Parallel theme: Matthew 18:7, 24:10, 26:31, John 6:66, 1 Corinthians 2:14, Galatians 5:11, 1 Peter 2:8 +3

7 And 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? References John: Matthew 21:25. Parallel theme: Matthew 3:5, Genesis 49:4, Luke 8:18, John 5:35, Ephesians 4:14, James 1:6 +2

8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. Kingdom: Isaiah 20:2. Parallel theme: Matthew 3:4, 2 Kings 1:8, Zechariah 13:4

9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophetProphet: προφήτης (Prophētēs). The Greek prophētēs (προφήτης) denotes a prophet—one who speaks forth God's message. Jesus was recognized as 'a prophet mighty in deed and word' (Luke 24:19), fulfilling and surpassing the prophetic office.? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. Prophecy: Matthew 14:5, Luke 1:76

10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. Parallel theme: Matthew 3:3, Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1, 4:5, Mark 1:2, John 1:23

11 Verily 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 heavenHeaven: οὐρανός (Ouranos). The Greek ouranos (οὐρανός) denotes heaven—God's throne and the believer's eternal home. Jesus taught His disciples to pray 'Our Father which art in heaven' (Matthew 6:9) and promised to prepare a place there (John 14:2). is greater than he. Kingdom: Matthew 5:19, Luke 7:28. References John: John 1:15, 10:41. Parallel theme: Matthew 3:11, Luke 9:48, 1 Corinthians 6:4, 15:9, Ephesians 3:8, Hebrews 11:40 +5

12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdomKingdom: βασιλεία (Basileia). The Greek basileia (βασιλεία) means kingdom—both the realm ruled and the exercise of royal authority. The 'kingdom of God' is central to Jesus' teaching, representing God's saving rule breaking into history. of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. Kingdom: Luke 16:16. Parallel theme: Luke 13:24, John 6:27, Philippians 2:12

13 For all the prophets and the lawLaw: νόμος (Nomos). The Greek nomos (νόμος) denotes law—particularly the Mosaic law. While believers are not under law but under grace (Romans 6:14), Christ fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17) and wrote it on believers' hearts (Hebrews 8:10). prophesied until John. Word: Romans 3:21

14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. Parallel theme: Ezekiel 2:5, Malachi 4:5, Luke 1:17, John 16:12, 1 Corinthians 3:2

15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Parallel theme: Matthew 13:9, 13:43, Mark 4:9, 4:23, Luke 8:8, 14:35, Revelation 2:7, 2:29, 3:6, 3:13 +5

16 But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, Parallel theme: Matthew 12:34, 23:36, 24:34, Lamentations 2:13, Mark 4:30, Luke 13:18

17 And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. Parallel theme: Isaiah 30:29

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. References John: Matthew 3:4. Evil: John 7:20, 8:48, 10:20. Parallel theme: Matthew 10:25, Jeremiah 15:17, Hosea 9:7, Luke 1:15 +3

19 The 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. Sin: Luke 19:7. Righteousness: Luke 7:29. Parallel theme: Proverbs 17:24, Luke 14:1

Woe to Unrepentant Cities

20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: Repentance: Jeremiah 8:6, Revelation 2:21

21 Woe 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. Repentance: Job 42:6. Parallel theme: Matthew 15:21, 18:7, Mark 3:8, 6:45, 7:31, 8:22, Luke 9:10, John 12:21, Acts 12:20 +5

22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgmentJudgment: κρίσις (Krisis). The Greek krisis (κρίσις) denotes judgment—evaluation and sentence. All will stand before God's judgment seat (Romans 14:10), and Christ has been appointed Judge of the living and dead (Acts 10:42)., than for you. Judgment: Matthew 10:15, 11:24, 12:36, 1 John 4:17

23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heavenHeaven: οὐρανός (Ouranos). The Greek ouranos (οὐρανός) denotes heaven—God's throne and the believer's eternal home. Jesus taught His disciples to pray 'Our Father which art in heaven' (Matthew 6:9) and promised to prepare a place there (John 14:2)., 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. Parallel theme: Matthew 4:13, 8:5, 16:18, Genesis 13:13, Lamentations 2:1, Obadiah 1:4, Luke 14:11, Acts 2:27, Jude 1:7, Revelation 11:8 +5

24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee. Judgment: Matthew 10:15, 11:22. Parallel theme: Lamentations 4:6

Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest

25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, LordLord: Κύριος (Kurios). The Greek Kurios (Κύριος) means 'lord' or 'master,' used both for human masters and divinely for God the Father and Jesus Christ. Its application to Jesus affirms His deity, as it translates YHWH in the Septuagint. of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. References Jesus: Matthew 16:17, 21:16, John 11:41. References Lord: Isaiah 66:1, Acts 17:24. Parallel theme: Psalms 8:2, Daniel 2:23, 4:35, Luke 22:42, 2 Corinthians 3:14 +5

26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. Parallel theme: 2 Timothy 1:9

27 All 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. Salvation: John 6:46. Parallel theme: Matthew 28:18, Luke 10:22, John 1:18, 3:35, 7:29, 10:15, 17:6, 1 John 2:23, 2 John 1:9 +5

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Parallel theme: Matthew 11:29, 23:4, Psalms 116:7, Isaiah 28:12, 66:2, Jeremiah 6:16, John 6:37, 7:37, Galatians 5:1, Revelation 22:17 +5

29 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. Parallel theme: Matthew 7:24, 28:20, Numbers 12:3, Jeremiah 6:16, Zechariah 9:9, John 13:15, 2 Corinthians 10:1, Philippians 2:5, Hebrews 5:9, 1 John 2:6 +5

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Light: 2 Corinthians 4:17. Parallel theme: Proverbs 3:17, Micah 6:8, John 16:33, Acts 15:10, 15:28, Galatians 5:1, 5:18, Philippians 4:13, 1 John 5:3 +5