11
1 When Jesus had finished giving these detailed instructions to his twelve disciples, he left that place to get back to teaching and proclaiming the message in their towns.
“What Did You Go Out into the Wilderness to See?”
2 Now as for John, when he heard in prison about the things the Messiah was doing,+ he sent his disciples to ask Jesus a question for him.+
3 “Are you yourself that one ‘who is going to come,’+” he asked, “or is it someone else whom we should expect?”
4 In reply Jesus said to them, “Go back and tell John the things ᵖyou are hearing and seeing:
5 ‘The blind are receiving their sight and the lame are now able to walk. People with leprosy are being healed and made clean, the deaf can now hear, the dead are being raised, and to the crushed+ the gospel is being proclaimed.’+
6 Also tell him, ‘blessed is he who does not stumble with offense+ because of me.’ ”
7 As these men were leaving, Jesus began speaking to the crowds about John: “What did ᵖyou go out into the wilderness to see? A reed being shaken to and fro by the wind?
8 Well then, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothing? Come now, kings’ palaces are where those who wear fine clothing live!
9 Well then, what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and even more than a prophet.
10 This is the man about whom it is written:
“ ‘Listen! I am going to send my messenger just ahead of ˢyou,+
who will prepare your way before you.’+
11 Amen, I solemnly tell ᵖyou this: There has not arisen, of all who have ever lived,+ anyone greater than John the Baptizer. Yet even the lowliest+ person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.+
12 “Now from the days of John the Baptizer until now the kingdom of heaven has been strongly urged,+ and yet it is urgers of violence+ who keep on attacking it.+
13 All the Prophets and the Torah, you see, prophesied until John,
14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah,+ the one destined to come.+
15 If you have ears to hear, then listen carefully and pay close attention!+
16 “To what should I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market areas, who keep calling out to the other children,
17 “ ‘We played joyful wedding songs for ᵖyou,
yet you didn’t dance!
We lamented with funeral songs and wailing,
yet ᵖyou didn’t beat your chests in mourning!’
18 John appeared on the scene fasting often and abstaining from wine,+ you see, and in response people+ say, ‘He has a demon!’
19 The Son of Man appeared on the scene doing just the opposite,+ and in response people+ say, ‘Look at that glutton and drunkard! A friend even of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet Wisdom+ is acknowledged to be in the right as a result of her deeds.+
20 Then Jesus+ began denouncing the towns in which most of his miracles had taken place, because they did not repent:
21 “Woe and calamity to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that took place in ᵖyou had taken place in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in nothing less than sackcloth and ashes.
22 But I tell ᵖyou this: It will be truly more bearable even for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.
23 And what about ˢyou, Capernaum? Will you be lifted up to the sky+? No! You will descend into the very depths of Sheol where the dead dwell. For if the miracles that took place in you had taken place in Sodom, it would have remained up to this day.
24 But I tell ᵖyou this: It will be truly more bearable even for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”
“I Thank You, Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth”
25 At that time Jesus said some very significant things: “I thank+ you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and learned+ and made them known+ to the simple.++
26 Yes, Father, I thank you that this is the way you chose to carry out your plan.+
27 My Father has entrusted to my care+ the entire creation,+ and no one truly knows+ the Son, except the Father. The Father, moreover, no one truly knows,+ except for the Son and those to whom the Son decides+ to make him known.+
28 Come to me, all you who are weary and made to carry unbearable loads,+ and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon ᵖyou and receive instruction from me,+ for I am meek, and humble in heart, and you will find ‘rest for your souls.’+
30 The yoke placed on disciples by me,+ you see, is very kind;+; the load put on by me+ is indeed not too heavy.+”