John's Question and Jesus' Answer
Study note
John the Baptist's question from prison -- 'Are you the one, or should we look for another?' -- represents an honest struggle of faith in difficult circumstances. Rather than giving a direct answer, Jesus points to the evidence of his works: the blind see, the lame walk, and the poor hear good news. These messianic signs, drawn from Isaiah's prophecies, serve as Jesus' credentials and invite John to draw his own conclusion.
1 After Jesus finished telling his twelve followers what to do, he went on to preach and teach in the nearby towns. And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
2 While John the Baptist was sitting in prison, he heard reports about what Christ was doing. He sent some of his own followers to go find out more. Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
3 They asked Jesus, "Are you the one we have been waiting for, or should we keep watching for somebody else?" And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
4 Jesus told them, "Go back and describe to John everything you are hearing and seeing for yourselves:" Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:
5 "Blind people are getting their sight back. People who could not walk are walking. People with leprosy are being made clean. Deaf people are hearing again. Dead people are being brought back to life. And poor people are hearing the good news." 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.
6 "And there is a special blessing for anyone who does not lose faith in me." And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
Jesus Honors John the Baptist
Study note
Jesus publicly honors John as the greatest person ever born, identifying him as the Elijah-figure prophesied in Malachi. Yet even John's greatness pales in comparison to the least citizen of the kingdom of heaven, revealing the magnitude of the new era Jesus inaugurates. Jesus also laments the fickleness of his generation, which rejected both John's austerity and Jesus' joyfulness.
7 After John's followers headed back, Jesus turned to the crowd and started talking about John. "When you hiked out to the desert, what were you expecting to find? A flimsy reed that bends in every breeze?" And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
8 "No? Then what did you go to see — a man wearing fancy, expensive clothes? People who dress like that live in royal palaces." But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.
9 "So what did you truly go out to see? A prophet? — and I am telling you, he is even more important than a prophet." But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
10 "John is the one the scripture talks about: 'I am sending my messenger to go ahead of you. He will get everything ready for your arrival.'" For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
11 "Truly, no one born on this earth has ever been greater than John the Baptist. And yet, even the smallest person in God's kingdom is greater than John." Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12 "Ever since John the Baptist started preaching, God's kingdom has been pushing forward with great force. And bold people are grabbing hold of it." And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
13 "All the prophets and the whole law were pointing to this moment, right up until John came." For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14 "And if you are open to hearing it, John is the Elias everyone has been expecting to come." And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
15 "If you have ears that work, then pay attention to what I am saying." He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
16 "How can I describe the people living today? They remind me of little kids sitting in the town square, yelling at their playmates," But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
17 "'We played happy music for you, but you refused to dance! We played sad music for you, but you refused to cry!'" And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.
18 "John appeared living a strict, simple life — barely eating or drinking — and people said, 'He must be crazy. He has a demon.'" For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
19 "Then the Son of man appeared eating and enjoying meals with others, and people said, 'Look at that — he eats too much, drinks too much, and hangs out with tax collectors and sinners!' But God's wisdom proves itself right through its results." The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
Woe to the Unrepentant Cities
Study note
Jesus pronounces severe judgment on Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum -- cities where he performed most of his miracles yet the people refused to repent. By comparing them unfavorably to notoriously wicked Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom, Jesus reveals that greater revelation brings greater accountability. These warnings demonstrate that witnessing miracles alone does not guarantee faith.
20 After that, Jesus began calling out the towns where he had done his greatest miracles. The people there still refused to change their ways. Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
21 "You are in big trouble, Chorazin! You are in big trouble, Bethsaida! If the miracles I performed in your streets had happened in Tyre and Sidon, those cities would have put on rough clothes and sat in ashes to show how sorry they were — and that would have happened a long time ago." Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, 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.
22 "Mark my words — Tyre and Sidon will have it easier on judgment day than you will." But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
23 "And you, Capernaum — do you think you are going to be raised up to heaven? No, you are going to be brought down to Hades. If the miracles done inside your walls had been done in Sodom, that city would still be standing today." And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
24 "But I am telling you, Sodom will have it easier on judgment day than you will." But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
Come to Me and Find Rest
Study note
In a dramatic shift of tone, Jesus thanks the Father for revealing truth to the humble rather than the proudly learned, then offers one of the most beloved invitations in Scripture. His call to the weary and burdened promises rest for the soul through relationship with him. The image of his 'easy yoke' and 'light burden' contrasts sharply with the heavy religious obligations imposed by the Pharisees, offering grace in place of crushing legalism.
25 Then, Jesus prayed out loud: "Father, Lord over heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these truths from people who think they are so smart. Thank you for showing them instead to people who are simple and childlike." At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
26 "Yes, Father, this is exactly what made you happy." Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
27 "My Father has placed everything in my hands. The only one who truly understands the Son is the Father. And the only one who truly understands the Father is the Son — along with anyone the Son decides to let in on it." All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
28 Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest for your souls. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.