Messengers from John the Baptist
When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.
2 aNow when John heard bin prison about the deeds of cthe Christ, he sent word by dhis disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you athe one who is to come, or shall we blook for another?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 athe blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and bthe poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who ais not offended by me.”
7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out ainto the wilderness to see? bA reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? aA prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written,
a“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’
11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 aFrom the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 aFor all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is aElijah who is to come. 15 aHe who has ears to hear, let him hear.
16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,
17 “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’
18 For John came aneither eating bnor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came aeating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, ba friend of ctax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”
Woe to Unrepentant Cities
20 aThen he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 a“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in bTyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 aBut I tell you, it will be more bearable on bthe day of judgment for cTyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, aCapernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to bHades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 aBut I tell you that bit will be more tolerable on cthe day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”
Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest
25 aAt that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, bLord of heaven and earth, that cyou have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and drevealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your agracious will. 27 aAll things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son bexcept the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone cto whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 aCome to bme, all who labor and are cheavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and alearn from me, for I am bgentle and lowly in heart, and cyou will find rest for your souls. 30 For amy yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”