Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished commanding his twelve disciples, that he departed from there to teach and to preach in the cities of Galilee.
2 And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
3 And they asked him, "Are you he who was to come, or do we look for another?"
4 Then Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see:
5 The blind receive their sight, 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 blessed is he who is not offended by me."
7 Then as they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
8 What did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.
9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
10 For this is he of whom it is written, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way before you.'
11 Truly I say to you, among those who are born of women there has not risen a greater one than John the Baptist; yet he who is the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven is forcibly entered, and forceful men lay hold of it.
13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14 And if you will receive it, John is Elijah, who was to come.
15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
16 But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the markets, and calling to their fellows,
17 And saying, 'We have piped to you, and you have not danced; we have mourned to you, and you have not mourned.'
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'
19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold a gluttonous man and a wine drinker, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is justified by her children."
20 Then he began to upbraid the cities in which most of his mighty works were done, because they did not repent.
21 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, 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 But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
23 And you, Capernaum, who thinks to have exalted yourselves to heaven, you shall be brought down to hell. For if the mighty works which have been done in you, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
24 But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you."
25 At that time Jesus said, "I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and have revealed them to babes.
26 Even so, Father, for it seemed good in your sight.
27 All things are delivered to me by my Father; and no man knows the Son but the Father, neither does any man know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal him. [The Father and the Son are only known through revelation, by the son revealing him; for the Son and the Father are one.]
28 Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.1 [Come — not to sect services that claim he is in their building, not to prayer meetings, not to altar calls, not to read the Bible — but come directly to him, by silently waiting on him, listening for his voiced commands and teachings. Come all of you who labor against sin; all of you who are heavy burdened with your sins.]
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and [then] you will find rest for your souls.2 [Learn from Him directly speaking to you, not reading about Him, or listening to other people talk about Him.]
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
