Matthew chapter 11

John the Baptist sends messengers. Jesus praises John the Baptist. He denounces cities that did not repent. He thanks God the Father. He offers us rest.

 


 

JOHN THE BAPTIST SENDS MESSENGERS

 

VERSE 1. When Jesus had finished directing his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and preach in their cities.

to teach and preach. The Lord Jesus Christ is a not just theoretician. Rather, he practices what he preaches. That is, he goes out and preaches!

And in our own lives, a teacher must also be a doer. One is not exempt from promoting the name of Jesus simply due by having a leadership position in a church or Bible Study group.

 

VERSE 2. Now when John heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples

 

VERSE 3. and said to him, “Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?”

 

VERSE 4. Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:

 

VERSE 5. the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.

 

VERSE 6. Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.”

 

JESUS PRAISES JOHN THE BAPTIST

 

VERSE 7. As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

 

VERSE 8. But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.

 

VERSE 9. But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.

why did you go out? To see a prophet? People look to us Christians to be modern-day prophets of Jesus Christ. How can we be better  prophets of Jesus Christ?

 

VERSE 10. For this is he, of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’

 

VERSE 11. Most certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.

John the Baptist was like the mighty prophet Elijah. In fact, he was the greatest of all the prophets. Read more »

 

VERSE 12. From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

the violent take it by force. This meaning of this verse is unknown. Lots of people speculate about it. Some people even claim to understand it. But their explanations are unconvincing.

 

VERSE 13. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

 

VERSE 14. If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come.

 

VERSE 15. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

People have ears. But many people don’t listen. The Bible calls us to actually listen. Read more »

 

VERSE 16. “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their companions

 

VERSE 17. and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned for you, and you didn’t lament.’

 

VERSE 18. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’

John came neither eating nor drinking. John the Baptist was a tee-totaler. He did not eat sumptuous food; he did not drink alcohol.

 

VERSE 19. The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”

The Son of Man came eating and drinking. Jesus the Christ was not a tee-totaler. He ate sumptuous food and he drank alcohol. Read more »

Some Christians have a sad face and a somber demeanor. We wish they could know the joy of their Lord. Holiness is marked by joy. Joy equals strength! Read more »

 

JESUS DENOUNCES CITIES THAT DID NOT REPENT

 

VERSE 20. Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they didn’t repent.

 

VERSE 21. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

 

VERSE 22. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.

 

VERSE 23. You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, you will go down to Hades. For if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in you, it would have remained until today.

Hades. The Lord Jesus Christ talks about Hades, Gehēnna, fire, and darkness. Christians often call those things Hell. Is Hell a location where people are sent? Or a state of being? Read more »

 

VERSE 24. But I tell you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom, on the day of judgment, than for you.”

 

JESUS THANKS GOD THE FATHER

 

VERSE 25. At that time, Jesus answered, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to infants.

thank you, Father … that you hid these things. Yes, God the Father has hidden the true spiritual riches from people who think they are wise.

 

VERSE 26. Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight.

 

VERSE 27. All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and he to whom the Son desires to reveal him.

What was the mission of the Lord Jesus Christ? How did he himself define it? Here are the verses we find in the four gospels »

 

JESUS OFFERS US REST

 

VERSE 28. “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

This verse seems like a command! Would you consider acting on it? More commands of Jesus Christ from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

What was the mission of the Lord Jesus Christ? How did he himself define it? Here are the verses we find in the four gospels »

NIV translation. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Isaiah 5:18. What sorrow for those who drag their sins behind them with ropes made of lies, who drag wickedness behind them like a cart! (NLT translation)

Come to me. The invitation is that people come to Jesus Christ. They receive what he offers by coming to him.

Sirach 24:19. Come to me, you that are desirous of me, And be you filled with my produce.

I will give you rest. The way of Jesus leads to rest. His is a gentle yoke. He longs to lift our burdens and give us rest. Read more »

 

VERSE 29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

This verse seems like a command! Would you consider acting on it? More commands of Jesus Christ from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

I am gentle and humble. The Lord Jesus Christ is gentle and humble.

Moses was very humble—more than any person on earth. But in our day, very few Christian leaders are humble. Congregations destroy leaders who are humble. Read more »

you will find rest for your souls. Jesus Christ promises spiritual resting. Many people interpret this to mean Contemplative Prayer.

Isaiah 28:12. to whom he said, “This is the resting place. Give rest to weary,” and “This is the refreshing;” yet they would not hear.

 

VERSE 30. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

my yoke is easy. Jesus Christ does not impose heavy burdens upon us. His way is easy and light. In our day, though, many Christian leaders make it seem that the Christian faith consists of long lists of duties and obligations, none of which are easy.

Isaiah 28:12. to whom he said, “This is the resting place. Give rest to weary,” and “This is the refreshing;” yet they would not hear.

 


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MATTHEW

CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28

RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Commands, Spirituality

Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.