Matthew 11 Free Bible Version
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
FBV Free Bible Version
WEB World English Bible (Classic, with Deuterocanon)
PT1904 Patriarchal Text 1904 (accented, eBible edition)
1 When Jesus had finished giving instructions to his twelve disciples, he left to go and teach and speak publicly in the nearby towns.
1 When Jesus had finished directing his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and preach in their cities.
1 Καὶ ἐγένετο ὅτε ἐτέλεσεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς διατάσσων τοῖς δώδεκα μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ μετέβη ἐκεῖθεν τοῦ διδάσκειν καὶ κηρύσσειν ἐν ταῖς πόλεσιν αὐτῶν.
2 While John was in prison he heard what the Messiah was doing, so he sent his disciples
2 Now when John heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples
2 Ὁ δὲ Ἰωάννης ἀκούσας ἐν τῷ δεσμωτηρίῳ τὰ ἔργα τοῦ Χριστοῦ, πέμψας δύο τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ
3 to ask on his behalf, “Are you the one we were expecting to come, or should we continue to look for someone else?”
3 and said to him, “Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?”
3 εἶπεν αὐτῷ· σὺ εἶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἢ ἕτερον προσδοκῶμεν;
4 Jesus answered them, “Go back and tell John what you hear and what you see.
4 Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:
4 καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· πορευθέντες ἀπαγγείλατε Ἰωάννῃ ἃ ἀκούετε καὶ βλέπετε·
5 The blind can see, the crippled can walk, the lepers are healed, the deaf can hear, the dead are resurrected, and the poor hear the good news.
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.
5 τυφλοὶ ἀναβλέπουσι καὶ χωλοὶ περιπατοῦσι, λεπροὶ καθαρίζονται καὶ κωφοὶ ἀκούουσι, νεκροὶ ἐγείρονται καὶ πτωχοὶ εὐαγγελίζονται·
6 Blessed are those who don't reject me!”
6 Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.”
6 καὶ μακάριός ἐστιν ὃς ἐὰν μὴ σκανδαλισθῇ ἐν ἐμοί.
7 As they left, Jesus began to talk to the crowds about John. “What were you expecting to see when you went out into the desert? A reed tossed about by the wind?
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?
7 Τούτων δὲ πορευομένων ἤρξατο ὁ Ἰησοῦς λέγειν τοῖς ὄχλοις περὶ Ἰωάννου· τί ἐξήλθετε εἰς τὴν ἔρημον θεάσασθαι; κάλαμον ὑπὸ ἀνέμου σαλευόμενον;
8 So what did you go to see? A man dressed in fancy clothes? People dressed like that live in kings' palaces.
8 But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
8 ἀλλὰ τί ἐξήλθετε ἰδεῖν; ἄνθρωπον ἐν μαλακοῖς ἱματίοις ἠμφιεσμένον; ἰδοὺ οἱ τὰ μαλακὰ φοροῦντες ἐν τοῖς οἴκοις τῶν βασιλέων εἰσίν.
9 So what did you go to see then? A prophet? Yes, and I tell you he is much more than a prophet!
9 But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.
9 ἀλλὰ τί ἐξήλθετε ἰδεῖν; προφήτην; ναὶ λέγω ὑμῖν, καὶ περισσότερον προφήτου.
10 He's the one this Scripture was written about: ‘I'm sending my messenger on ahead of you. He will prepare your way for you.’
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.’
10 οὗτος γάρ ἐστι περὶ οὗ γέγραπται· ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω τὸν ἄγγελόν μου πρὸ προσώπου σου, ὃς κατασκευάσει τὴν ὁδόν σου ἔμπροσθέν σου.
11 I tell you the truth, that among humanity there's no one greater than John the Baptist, but even the least important in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.
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.
11 ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, οὐκ ἐγήγερται ἐν γεννητοῖς γυναικῶν μείζων Ἰωάννου τοῦ βαπτιστοῦ· ὁ δὲ μικρότερος ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τῶν οὐρανῶν μείζων αὐτοῦ ἐστιν.
12 From the time of John the Baptist up till now the kingdom of heaven continues to be under attack, and violent people are trying to seize it by force.
12 From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
12 ἀπὸ δὲ τῶν ἡμερῶν Ἰωάννου τοῦ βαπτιστοῦ ἕως ἄρτι ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν βιάζεται, καὶ βιασταὶ ἁρπάζουσιν αὐτήν.
13 For all the prophets and the law spoke for God until John came.
13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
13 πάντες γὰρ οἱ προφῆται καὶ ὁ νόμος ἕως Ἰωάννου προεφήτευσαν.
14 If you're prepared to believe it, he is Elijah, the one who was expected to come.
14 If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come.
14 καὶ εἰ θέλετε δέξασθαι, αὐτός ἐστιν Ἠλίας ὁ μέλλων ἔρχεσθαι.
15 Anybody with ears should be listening!
15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
15 ὁ ἔχων ὦτα ἀκούειν ἀκουέτω.
16 What shall I compare this generation to? It's like children sitting in the marketplaces shouting to each other,
16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their companions
16 Τίνι δὲ ὁμοιώσω τὴν γενεὰν ταύτην; ὁμοία ἐστὶ παιδίοις καθημένοις ἐν ἀγοραῖς, ἃ προσφωνοῦντα τοῖς ἑταίροις αὐτῶν λέγουσιν·
17 ‘We played the flute for you and you didn't dance; we sang sad songs and you didn't cry.’
17 and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned for you, and you didn’t lament.’
17 ηὐλήσαμεν ὑμῖν, καὶ οὐκ ὠρχήσασθε, ἐθρηνήσαμεν ὑμῖν, καὶ οὐκ ἐκόψασθε.
18 John didn't come feasting and drinking, so people say, ‘He's devil-possessed!’
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’
18 ἦλθε γὰρ Ἰωάννης μήτε ἐσθίων μήτε πίνων, καὶ λέγουσι· δαιμόνιον ἔχει.
19 On the other hand the Son of man came and did feast and drink, and people say, ‘Look, he's greedy and drinks too much; he's a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by what it does…”
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.”
19 ἦλθεν ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐσθίων καὶ πίνων, καὶ λέγουσιν· ἰδοὺ ἄνθρωπος φάγος καὶ οἰνοπότης, τελωνῶν φίλος καὶ ἁμαρτωλῶν. καὶ ἐδικαιώθη ἡ σοφία ἀπὸ τῶν τέκνων αὐτῆς!
20 Then he began to reprimand the towns where he'd done most of his miracles because they had not repented.
20 Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they didn’t repent.
20 Τότε ἤρξατο ὀνειδίζειν τὰς πόλεις ἐν αἷς ἐγένοντο αἱ πλεῖσται δυνάμεις αὐτοῦ, ὅτι οὐ μετενόησαν·
21 “Shame on you, Korazin! Shame on you, Bethsaida! If the miracles had been performed in Tyre and Sidon which happened among you, they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes long ago.
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.
21 οὐαί σοι, Χοραζίν, οὐαί σοι, Βηθσαϊδά· ὅτι εἰ ἐν Τύρῳ καὶ Σιδῶνι ἐγενήθησαν αἱ δυνάμεις αἱ γενόμεναι ἐν ὑμῖν, πάλαι ἂν ἐν σάκκῳ καὶ σποδῷ καθήμεναι μετενόησαν.
22 But I tell you that on the Day of Judgment it will be better for Tyre and Sidon than it will for you!
22 But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
22 πλὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, Τύρῳ καὶ Σιδῶνι ἀνεκτότερον ἔσται ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κρίσεως ἢ ὑμῖν.
23 And what about you, Capernaum? Will you be exalted to heaven? No, you'll go down to Hades! If the miracles had been performed in Sodom which happened among you, Sodom would still be here today.
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.
23 καὶ σὺ Καπερναούμ, ἡ ἕως τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ὑψωθεῖσα, ἕως ᾅδου καταβιβασθήσῃ· ὅτι εἰ ἐν Σοδόμοις ἐγενήθησαν αἱ δυνάμεις αἱ γενόμεναι ἐν σοί, ἔμειναν ἂν μέχρι [τῆς] σήμερον.
24 But I tell you that on the Day of Judgment it will be better for Sodom than it will for you!”
24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment, than for you.”
24 πλὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι γῇ Σοδόμων ἀνεκτότερον ἔσται ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κρίσεως ἢ σοί.
25 Then Jesus prayed, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for you've hidden these things from the clever and sophisticated. Instead you've revealed them to ordinary people.
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.
25 Ἐν ἐκείνῳ τῷ καιρῷ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν· ἐξομολογοῦμαί σοι, πάτερ, κύριε τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ τῆς γῆς, ὅτι ἀπέκρυψας ταῦτα ἀπὸ σοφῶν καὶ συνετῶν, καὶ ἀπεκάλυψας αὐτὰ νηπίοις·
26 Yes, Father, you were pleased to do this!
26 Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight.
26 ναί, ὁ πατήρ, ὅτι οὕτως ἐγένετο εὐδοκία ἔμπροσθέν σου.
27 Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father, and no one really understands the Son, except the Father, and no one really understands the Father, except the Son, and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
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.
27 Πάντα μοι παρεδόθη ὑπὸ τοῦ πατρός μου· καὶ οὐδεὶς ἐπιγινώσκει τὸν υἱὸν εἰ μὴ ὁ πατήρ, οὐδὲ τὸν πατέρα τις ἐπιγινώσκει εἰ μὴ ὁ υἱὸς καὶ ᾧ ἐὰν βούληται ὁ υἱὸς ἀποκαλύψαι.
28 Come to me, all of you who struggle and who are burdened down. I will give you rest.
28 “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.
28 Δεῦτε πρός με πάντες οἱ κοπιῶντες καὶ πεφορτισμένοι, κἀγὼ ἀναπαύσω ὑμᾶς.
29 Accept my yoke, and learn from me. For I am kind and have a humble heart, and in me you will find the rest you need.
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.
29 ἄρατε τὸν ζυγόν μου ἐφ᾽ ὑμᾶς καὶ μάθετε ἀπ᾽ ἐμοῦ, ὅτι πρᾷός εἰμι καὶ ταπεινὸς τῇ καρδίᾳ, καὶ εὑρήσετε ἀνάπαυσιν ταῖς ψυχαῖς ὑμῶν·
30 For my yoke is gentle, and my burden is light.”
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
30 ὁ γὰρ ζυγός μου χρηστὸς καὶ τὸ φορτίον μου ἐλαφρόν ἐστιν.
People & places in this chapter
From this site's family tree and Bible maps, only where those guides cite this chapter.
Places
Capernaum
A fishing and customs town on the Sea of Galilee where Jesus healed, taught, and called disciples. Its ruins include a 4th–5th c. synagogue built over an earlier one.
Cited in the guide: Matthew 4:13; Mark 2:1; Matthew 11:23
Cross references (29)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Isaiah 61:1–3; Acts 10:38; Matthew 9:35; Luke 8:1; Luke 4:15–21
- 2 Matthew 14:3; Mark 6:17; Matthew 4:12; Luke 7:18–35; Matthew 9:14
- 3 John 11:27; Malachi 3:1; Hebrews 10:37; Deuteronomy 18:15–18; Micah 5:2
- 5 Isaiah 35:4–6; Isaiah 61:1–3; Isaiah 42:6–7; Luke 4:18; Isaiah 29:18
- 6 Isaiah 8:14–15; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Matthew 26:31; John 6:66; Luke 11:27–28
- 7 James 1:6; John 5:35; Luke 8:18; Luke 7:24–30; Ephesians 4:14
- 8 Matthew 3:4; 2 Kings 1:8; 2 Corinthians 11:27; Zechariah 13:4; Isaiah 20:2
- 9 Luke 1:76; Matthew 14:5; Mark 9:11–13; Matthew 17:12–13; Matthew 21:24–26
- 10 Malachi 3:1; Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 4:5; Mark 1:2; Luke 7:26–27
- 11 Luke 7:28; Ephesians 3:8; Matthew 3:11; John 1:15; Matthew 5:19
- 12 Luke 16:16; Luke 13:24; Ephesians 6:11–13; Philippians 2:12; John 6:27
- 13 Matthew 5:17–18; Romans 3:21; Acts 3:22–24; Acts 13:27; Luke 24:44
- 14 Malachi 4:5; Mark 9:11–13; Matthew 17:10–13; Luke 1:17; John 1:21–23
- 15 Matthew 13:9; Luke 8:8; Mark 4:23; Matthew 13:43; Mark 4:9
- 16 Luke 7:31–35; Matthew 23:36; Mark 4:30; Matthew 12:34; Luke 13:18
- 17 Isaiah 28:9–13; Jeremiah 9:17–20; Isaiah 30:29; Matthew 9:15; Jeremiah 31:4
- 18 Matthew 3:4; Luke 1:15; John 10:20; Matthew 10:25; John 8:48
- 19 Matthew 9:10–11; Luke 7:34–36; Luke 15:1–2; Luke 19:7; Luke 5:29–30
- 20 Luke 10:13–15; 2 Timothy 2:25–26; Jeremiah 8:6; Isaiah 1:2–5; Revelation 9:20–21
- 21 Ezekiel 3:6–7; Matthew 15:21; Acts 12:20; Luke 9:10; John 12:21
- 22 Matthew 11:24; Matthew 10:15; Hebrews 10:26–31; Luke 12:47–48; Matthew 12:36
- 23 Isaiah 14:13–15; John 4:46–54; Matthew 4:13; Genesis 13:13; Revelation 11:8
- 24 Matthew 10:15; Matthew 11:22; Mark 6:11; Lamentations 4:6; Luke 10:12
- 25 Matthew 21:16; Psalm 8:2; Matthew 16:17; Luke 10:21–24; 1 Corinthians 1:18–29
- 26 Isaiah 46:10; Ephesians 3:11; 2 Timothy 1:9; Luke 10:21; Romans 9:18
- 27 John 14:6–9; Matthew 28:18; Luke 10:22; 2 John 9; John 17:25–26
- 28 Matthew 11:29; John 7:37; John 6:37; Galatians 5:1; Isaiah 55:1–3
- 29 Jeremiah 6:16; 1 John 2:6; Philippians 2:7–8; John 13:15; Luke 6:46–48
- 30 1 John 5:3; John 16:33; Philippians 4:13; 2 Corinthians 12:9–10; Galatians 5:1
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
The lesson of the Holy Gospel has set before us a question touching John the Baptist. May the Lord assist me to resolve it to you, as He hath resolved it to us.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 6 (1888)
That is, after He had sent them, He proceeded to withdraw Himself, to give them room and opportunity to do what He had enjoined. For while He was present and healing, no one would be willing to approach them.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
… the Christ, because the Jews knew not what the Father was, and what the Son, in like manner accused them; and Himself said, "No one knoweth the Father, but the Son; nor the Son, but the Father, and they to whom the Son revealeth Him." Now the Word of God is His Son, as we have before said.
And again, when He said, "Come unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest, and learn of Me," He announced the Father of truth.
"Because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes;" that they "that labour and are heavy laden" might "come" unto Him and He might refresh them, because He is "meek and lowly in heart." "The meek will He guide in judgment; and the meek will He teach His way;" looking upon our …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 1 (1886)