Matthew 11 :: Amplified Bible (AMP)

John’s Questions

(Luk 7:18–35 )

When Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He went on from there to teach and to preach in their [Galilean] cities.

Mat 11:2

Now when [fn]John [the Baptist] in prison heard about the activities of Christ, he sent word by his disciples

Mat 11:3

Mat 11:3and asked Him, “Are You the Expected One (the Messiah), or should we look for someone else [who will be the promised One]?”

Mat 11:4

Mat 11:4Jesus answered, “Go and report to John what you hear and see:

Mat 11:5

Mat 11:5the BLIND RECEIVE [their] SIGHT and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed [by healing] and the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM.

Mat 11:6

Mat 11:6“And blessed [joyful, favored by God] is he who does not take offense at Me [accepting Me as the Messiah and trusting confidently in My message of salvation].”

Jesus’ Tribute to John

Mat 11:7

As these men were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out in the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind [which is commonplace]?

Mat 11:8

Mat 11:8“What did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing [entirely unsuited for the harsh desert]? Those who wear soft clothing are in the palaces of kings!

Mat 11:9

Mat 11:9“But what did you [really] go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one [more eminent, more remarkable, and] [fn]far more than a prophet [who foretells the future].

Mat 11:10

Mat 11:10“This is the one of whom it is written [by the prophet Malachi],

‘BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU,

WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.’

Mat 11:11

“I assure you and most solemnly say to you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater [in privilege] than he.

Mat 11:12

Mat 11:12“From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize].

Mat 11:13

Mat 11:13“For all the prophets and the Law prophesied up until John.

Mat 11:14

Mat 11:14“And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is [the fulfillment of] Elijah [as the messenger] who was to come [before the kingdom].

Mat 11:15

Mat 11:15“He who has ears to hear, let him hear and heed My words.

Mat 11:16

“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like little children sitting in the market places, who call to the others,

Mat 11:17

Mat 11:17and say ‘We piped the flute for you [playing wedding], and you did not dance; we wailed sad dirges [playing funeral], and you did not mourn and cry aloud.’

Mat 11:18

Mat 11:18“For John came neither eating nor drinking [with others], and they say, ‘He has a demon!’

Mat 11:19

Mat 11:19“The Son of Man came eating and drinking [with others], and they say, ‘Look! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners [including non-observant Jews]!’ Yet wisdom is justified and vindicated by her deeds [in the lives of those who respond to Me].”

The Unrepenting Cities

(Gen 19:12–14; Luk 10:13–15 )

Mat 11:20

Then He began to denounce [the people in] the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent [and change their hearts and lives].

Mat 11:21

Mat 11:21“Woe (judgment is coming) to you, [fn]Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon [cities of the Gentiles], they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes [their hearts would have been changed and they would have expressed sorrow for their sin and rebellion against God].

Mat 11:22

Mat 11:22“Nevertheless I say to you, it will be more tolerable for [the pagan cities of] Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.

Mat 11:23

Mat 11:23“And you, Capernaum, are you to be exalted to heaven [for your apathy and unresponsiveness]? You will descend to Hades (the realm of the dead); for if the miracles done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

Mat 11:24

Mat 11:24“But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment, than for you.”

Come to Me

(Luk 10:21, 22 )

Mat 11:25

At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth [I openly and joyfully acknowledge Your great wisdom], that You have hidden these things [these spiritual truths] from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to infants [to new believers, to those seeking God’s will and purpose].

Mat 11:26

Mat 11:26“Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.

Mat 11:27

Mat 11:27“All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one fully knows and accurately understands the Son except the Father; and no one fully knows and accurately understands the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son [deliberately] wills to reveal Him.

Mat 11:28

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation].

Mat 11:29

Mat 11:29“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST (renewal, blessed quiet) FOR YOUR SOULS.

Mat 11:30

Mat 11:30“For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light.”

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AMP Footnotes

(11:2)

John and Jesus were about the same age and were related through their mothers, Elizabeth and Mary (Luke 1:36).

(11:9)

John was unique among the prophets because he was sent to prepare the hearts of the people for the immediate disclosure of their Messiah.

(11:21)

A city near Capernaum, where Jesus later made His home. They would have heard His teachings many times.

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