Skip to main content
Psalmlog Logo

Matthew 11

Jesus answers questions about his identity, confronts refusal to repent, and offers rest under his gentle authority.

John, hearing about Jesus’ works from prison, sends disciples to ask whether Jesus is the one who is to come. Jesus points to his works, then speaks to the crowds about John’s role and their rejection of both messengers. He warns cities that witnessed his miracles yet did not repent. The chapter closes with Jesus thanking the Father for revealing truth to infants, declaring his unique knowledge of the Father, and calling the burdened to learn from him.

burnoutdoubtserving and tired
Read
1When Jesus had finished directing his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and preach in their cities.
2Now when John heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples
3and said to him, “Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?”
5the 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.
6Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.”
7As 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?
8But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
9But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.
10For this is he, of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’
11Most 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.
12From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come.
15He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
16“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their companions
17and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned for you, and you didn’t lament.’
18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’
19The 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.”
20Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they didn’t repent.
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.
22But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
23You, 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.
24But I tell you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment, than for you.”
25At 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.
26Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight.
27All 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.
28“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.
29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.
30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
World English BibleRead in NIV in Psalmlog →Highlighted verses are the most connected.
Key verses
Matthew 11:25Jesus praises the Father’s sovereign choice to reveal what human wisdom and understanding cannot secure.
Matthew 11:27The Son’s unique knowledge of the Father grounds his authority to reveal God to others.
Matthew 11:29Jesus joins rest for the soul with learning from him, whose authority is gentle and humble.
Where this chapter reaches

Isaiah shares the promised signs of healing and good news for the poor that Jesus names, while Luke records John’s question and Jesus’ response. John shares the teaching that the Son makes the Father known and that their knowledge of one another is unique.

Matthew 11's chapter linksAll strongest linksHover or tap a book
Notice

After reading the whole chapter

What do you notice about Jesus’ answer to John’s question from prison?

Write on this

How does Jesus’ call to take his yoke shape your understanding of the rest he promises?

Write on this

Questions people ask about Matthew 11

Why did John the Baptist ask if Jesus was the Messiah?

John hears about Christ’s works while in prison and sends disciples to ask whether Jesus is the expected one. The text does not explain whether the question reflects John’s uncertainty, his disciples’ need, or both. Jesus answers by pointing to healings, resurrection, and good news preached to the poor.

What does Matthew 11:12 mean by the kingdom suffering violence?

The wording is debated: it can be understood as violence against the kingdom or as forceful eagerness to enter it. The supplied translation favors the first reading. John’s imprisonment and the chapter’s accounts of rejection fit that sense, though the verse’s precise meaning remains disputed.

What does Jesus mean by taking his yoke in Matthew 11?

A yoke is equipment used to direct animals in their work, and here it pictures coming under Jesus’ teaching and authority. Jesus pairs taking his yoke with learning from him. His gentleness and humility explain the promised rest; the image still includes following his direction.

Read it. Now write it.

Start an entry on Matthew 11. Your words go beside the text, and you get one next step for the week.

Matthew · 28 chapters
12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728
What the Bible says about doubt →

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).