John the Baptist Sends Messengers to Jesus
1 Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there toteach and to preach in their cities.
2 And when John had heardin prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples
3 and said to Him, “Are Youthe Coming One, or do we look for another?”
4 Jesus answered and said to them,“Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:
5 Theblind see andthelame walk;thelepers are cleansed andthedeaf hear;thedead are raised up andthepoor have the gospel preached to them.
6 And blessed is he who is notoffended because of Me.”
7 As they departed, 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?
8 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear softclothingare in kings’ houses.
9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you,and more than a prophet.
10 For this isheof whom it is written:
# ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.’
11 “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14 And if you are willing to receiveit,he isElijah who is to come.
15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
16 “But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions,
17 and saying:
‘We played the flute for you,
And you did not dance;
We mourned to you,
And you did notlament.’
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’
19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and awinebibber,a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’But wisdom is justified by herchildren.”
Woe to the Impenitent Cities
20 Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent:
21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long agoin sackcloth and ashes.
22 But I say to you,it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.
23 And you, Capernaum,whoare exalted to heaven, will bebrought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
24 But I say to youthat it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”
Jesus Gives True Rest
25 At that time Jesus answered and said,“I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thatYou have hidden these things fromthewise and prudentand have revealed them to babes.
26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.
27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father.Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, andthe oneto whom the Son wills to revealHim.
28 Come toMe, allyouwho labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take My yoke upon youand learn from Me, for I amgentle andlowly in heart,and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For My yokeiseasy and My burden is light.”