American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Matthew 11
1
And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed there to teach and to preach in their cities.
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2
Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
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4
Jesus answered and said to them, Go and show John again those things which you 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.
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6
And blessed is he, whoever shall not be offended in me.
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Blessing
Psalm 119:1
Parallel theme
1 Corinthians 2:14
Matthew 26:31
Matthew 24:10
Matthew 18:7
John 6:66
Galatians 5:11
1 Peter 2:8
7
And as they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, What went you out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
Reference
Parallel theme
James 1:6
John 5:35
Ephesians 4:14
Genesis 49:4
Matthew 3:5
Luke 8:18
References John
Matthew 21:25
8
But what went you out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.
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9
But what went you out for to see? A prophet? yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
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10
For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before your face, which shall prepare your way before you.
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11
Truly I say to you, Among them that are born of women there has not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
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Kingdom
Luke 7:28
Matthew 5:19
Parallel theme
Ephesians 3:8
Matthew 3:11
Luke 9:48
Hebrews 11:40
1 Corinthians 6:4
1 Corinthians 15:9
References John
John 1:15
John 10:41
12
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
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13
For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
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Word
Romans 3:21
16
But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like to children sitting in the markets, and calling to their fellows,
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17
And saying, We have piped to you, and you have not danced; we have mourned to you, and you have not lamented.
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Parallel theme
Isaiah 30:29
18
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He has a devil.
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Evil
John 10:20
John 8:48
John 7:20
Parallel theme
Luke 1:15
Jeremiah 15:17
Matthew 10:25
Hosea 9:7
References John
Matthew 3:4
19
The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a drunkard, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
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20
Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
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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 ago in sackcloth and ashes.
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📍 Locations
Parallel theme
Mark 6:45
Matthew 15:21
John 12:21
Luke 9:10
Acts 12:20
Mark 3:8
Mark 7:31
Mark 8:22
Matthew 18:7
Repentance
Job 42:6
22
But I say to you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
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23
And you, Capernaum, which are exalted to heaven, shall be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in you, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
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24
But I say to you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you.
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25
At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hid these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them to babes.
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 8:2
2 Corinthians 3:14
Luke 22:42
Daniel 2:23
Daniel 4:35
References Jesus
Matthew 21:16
Matthew 16:17
John 11:41
References Lord
Acts 17:24
Isaiah 66:1
26
Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in your sight.
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Parallel theme
2 Timothy 1:9
27
All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knows the Son, but the Father; neither knows any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
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Parallel theme
Matthew 28:18
Luke 10:22
2 John 1:9
1 John 2:23
John 10:15
John 3:35
John 1:18
John 7:29
John 17:6
Salvation
John 6:46
29
Take my yoke on you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls.
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Summary of Matthew 11
Matthew 11 focuses on the question of who Jesus really is and why people respond so differently to Him, beginning with John the Baptist's uncertainty and ending with Jesus' invitation to weary people to come to Him for rest.
John the Baptist, now imprisoned by Herod Antipas, hears about Jesus' ministry and sends his disciples to ask whether Jesus is truly the expected one, revealing the tension between the powerful signs of Jesus' ministry and the different expectations people had about how God's promised deliverer would act.
Jesus does not simply answer with a title but points to the evidence of His ministry, including healing the blind, lame, sick, deaf, and raising the dead while proclaiming good news to the poor, demonstrating that His work corresponds to the restoration promised through the prophets.
Jesus then strongly affirms John's prophetic importance, describing him as more than an ordinary prophet and identifying his ministry with the promised messenger who would prepare the way, making John a significant bridge between the Old Testament prophetic era and the kingdom ministry of Jesus.
At the same time, Jesus criticizes the people of His generation because they continually find reasons to reject God's messengers, criticizing John for his strict lifestyle and criticizing Jesus for His willingness to eat and associate with ordinary people and sinners.
Jesus then condemns several Galilean towns, particularly Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, because they witnessed many miracles yet failed to repent, teaching that greater exposure to God's revelation creates greater responsibility rather than simply greater privilege.
The chapter then shifts toward a deeper revelation of Jesus' relationship with the Father, as Jesus explains that the Father has entrusted all things to Him and that true knowledge of God comes through the Son's revelation.
The final verses contain one of the most comforting invitations in the Gospel, as Jesus calls the weary and burdened to come to Him, take His yoke, learn from His gentle and humble character, and find rest for their souls.
The central message is that Matthew 11 challenges people to recognize Jesus through the evidence of His works rather than through preconceived expectations, while showing that genuine faith requires humility, repentance, openness to God's revelation, and willingness to follow Jesus' way.
The chapter ultimately moves from uncertainty about Jesus' identity to confidence in His unique authority and compassionate character, presenting Him as the promised One whose kingdom brings restoration to the suffering while offering deep spiritual rest to those who are willing to come to Him and learn from Him.
John the Baptist, now imprisoned by Herod Antipas, hears about Jesus' ministry and sends his disciples to ask whether Jesus is truly the expected one, revealing the tension between the powerful signs of Jesus' ministry and the different expectations people had about how God's promised deliverer would act.
Jesus does not simply answer with a title but points to the evidence of His ministry, including healing the blind, lame, sick, deaf, and raising the dead while proclaiming good news to the poor, demonstrating that His work corresponds to the restoration promised through the prophets.
Jesus then strongly affirms John's prophetic importance, describing him as more than an ordinary prophet and identifying his ministry with the promised messenger who would prepare the way, making John a significant bridge between the Old Testament prophetic era and the kingdom ministry of Jesus.
At the same time, Jesus criticizes the people of His generation because they continually find reasons to reject God's messengers, criticizing John for his strict lifestyle and criticizing Jesus for His willingness to eat and associate with ordinary people and sinners.
Jesus then condemns several Galilean towns, particularly Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, because they witnessed many miracles yet failed to repent, teaching that greater exposure to God's revelation creates greater responsibility rather than simply greater privilege.
The chapter then shifts toward a deeper revelation of Jesus' relationship with the Father, as Jesus explains that the Father has entrusted all things to Him and that true knowledge of God comes through the Son's revelation.
The final verses contain one of the most comforting invitations in the Gospel, as Jesus calls the weary and burdened to come to Him, take His yoke, learn from His gentle and humble character, and find rest for their souls.
The central message is that Matthew 11 challenges people to recognize Jesus through the evidence of His works rather than through preconceived expectations, while showing that genuine faith requires humility, repentance, openness to God's revelation, and willingness to follow Jesus' way.
The chapter ultimately moves from uncertainty about Jesus' identity to confidence in His unique authority and compassionate character, presenting Him as the promised One whose kingdom brings restoration to the suffering while offering deep spiritual rest to those who are willing to come to Him and learn from Him.