When Jesus had finished giving the twelve disciples instructions, he left to go preach and teach in their towns.
John the Baptist was in prison but heard about the works of Christ. He sent two of his own followers to ask Jesus, “Are you the one we’ve been waiting for, or is there someone else coming?”
Jesus answered, “Go back and tell John what you hear and see. The blind see, the disabled walk, the diseased are cleaned, the deaf hear, the dead come back to life, and the poor hear the good news. People are blessed when they don’t doubt me.”
As John’s followers were leaving, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John. “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A plant shaken by the wind? What did you go out to see? A man dressed in nice clothes? Nice clothes are in the king’s palace. What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I’m telling you, John is better than a prophet. He was written about when it said: ‘Take note; I’m sending my messenger to you, who will prepare your path.’ I’m telling you, no one born of women is greater than John the Baptist. However, the lowest in the Heavenly Kingdom is better than John.
“From John the Baptist’s days until now, the Heavenly Kingdom is caught up in violence and the violent claim it’s theirs.
Because all the prophets and the law said so until John came and said otherwise. If you are willing to agree, John is Elijah, the one who is coming.
“If you have ears, listen! What will I compare this generation to? You’re like children sitting in the shops shouting to people, ‘We played music but you didn’t dance. We sang a sad song and you didn’t cry.’
“John arrived and didn’t eat or drink, so they said he was demon possessed! The Son of Man came and eats and drinks. They say ‘He’s a glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners! But wisdom is proven to be right by what it does.”
Then Jesus disgraced the town where most of his miracles happened, because they had not asked God for forgiveness for the bad things they did.
“Chorazin, you poor town! Bethsaida, you poor town! If the miracles had happened in Tyre and Sidon, they would have dressed in rags and repented ages ago. I’m telling you, it will be better in Tyre and Sidon on Judgement day than for you. Capernaum, you won’t go up to heaven. You’ll go down to hell! If the miracles had happened in Sodom that happened to you, that town would still be there. I’m telling you, it will be better in Sodom than for you on judgement day.”
Jesus then said, “I agree with you, Father, Lord of everything, when you hid these things from the clever but revealed them to children. Yes, Father. For this is pleasing to you.
“Everything given to me was given by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father. No one knows the Father except the Son, and whoever the Son reveals himself to.
“If you are struggling, come to me and I will give you rest. Take my guidance and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest in your souls. For my guidance is easy and my burdens are light.”
Matthew Chapter 11 Summary
After instructing His disciples, Jesus went to teach in their towns. John the Baptist, in prison, sent followers to verify if Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus responded by explaining His works that fulfilled what the prophets said. He later praised John, but also stated that even the least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than John.
Jesus criticised the generation for their judgmental nature, comparing them to children playing in the market. Regardless of whether a person lived a simple life or enjoyed food and wine they found fault in them.
Jesus then told off the towns where He performed miracles but did not reconsider their ways, saying that they’d face severe judgement. He ended with a prayer, praising the Father for revealing the mysteries of the Kingdom to the humble and inviting the tired to find rest in Him.
Matthew Chapter 11 Bible Study Questions and Answers
- What did Jesus mean by saying that John the Baptist is Elijah who was to come?
Answer: Jesus was saying that John was the prophesied one to come before the saviour, completing the role of Elijah in the Old Testament prophecy (Malachi 4:5-6). - How does Jesus’s invitation to the tired and troubled relate to our lives as Christians?
Answer: As Christians, we are invited to give our troubles to Jesus, trusting in His strength and finding rest in Him. - What does it mean when Jesus says the least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than John the Baptist?
Answer: It reflects the value and honour of being a part of the Kingdom of Heaven, showing that even the lowest status in God’s Kingdom is greater than the highest earthly honour. - Why did Jesus tell off the towns where He performed most of His miracles?
Answer: Jesus told them off because even though they saw His miracles, they didn’t reconsider their sin or turn towards God, showing unbelief and a hard heart. - What can we learn from the people’s different reactions to John the Baptist and Jesus?
Answer: This highlights the importance of being thoughtful in recognising the works of God, and not falling into judgement based on societal norms or expectations.
Matthew Chapter 11 Explained
Matthew Chapter 11 opens with Jesus continuing His ministry after giving instructions to His disciples. One of the key events is John the Baptist, from his prison, seeking clarification about Jesus’s status as the saviour. The answer Jesus gives is a direct reference to prophetic statements in Isaiah, presenting Himself as the expected saviour, as seen through His miracles.
Jesus’s praise of John the Baptist indicates the important role John played in preparing the way for the Messiah. Yet, Jesus says that those in the Kingdom of Heaven, no matter how insignificant, have a higher status. This statement could indicate the amazing grace offered in the new promise started by Jesus.
Jesus criticises His generation’s judgemental attitude, focusing on their frequent fault-finding, regardless of a person’s actions. They viewed John as too simple and Jesus as too luxurious, highlighting their unwillingness to accept the divine work happening around them.
Jesus then tells off the towns that failed to reconsider their ways despite seeing His miracles. He discusses the importance of their unbelief and their coming judgement. Comparing these towns to well-known old cities that did a lot of wrong makes their wrongdoing seem even worse.
Jesus finishes with an invitation to find rest in Him, offering comfort and support. This shows the heart of His mission – to provide spiritual rest to humanity with sin and religious legalism. It’s a reminder of the rest and peace that following Jesus brings. The main point of Matthew Chapter 11 is to show Jesus criticising people who don’t believe in Him, and inviting those who want peace and change to come to Him.
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Continue exploring Matthew 11
If you’d like to read Matthew 11 in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try Matthew 11 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try Matthew 11 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try Matthew 11 in the Contemporary English Version.
If you prefer to read the Bible in a hard-copy format, here are cheaper versions from Amazon:
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For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, ESV Economy Bible
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, NIV, Economy Bible, Paperback: Accurate. Readable. Clear.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version
If you’d like to explore Matthew in more depth, here are some commentaries I would recommend:
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Easy to access commentaries that include life applications:
The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew
Matthew (The Story of God Bible Commentary)
For a commentary that goes into more depth:
The Gospel of Matthew (The New International Commentary on the New Testament)
Not My Life 