11 1 When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their towns.
John's Question From Prison
2 Now when John heard in prison about the works of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and asked him, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?"
4 Jesus answered them, "Go and report to John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, those with leprosy are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is being preached to the poor. 6 And blessed is the one who does not stumble on account of me."
7 As they were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Look, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' palaces. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written: 'Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' 11 Truly I tell you, of all who have ever been born, no one greater than John the Baptist has arisen. Yet whoever is least in the kingdom of our Father is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of our Father has been subjected to violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 Whoever has ears, let him hear.
16 But what can I compare this generation to? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces who call out to the others: 17 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a funeral song, and you did not mourn.' 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, 'Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is proved right by her deeds."
Woe to the Unrepentant Towns
20 Then he began to denounce the towns where most of his miracles had been done, because they did not repent: 21 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in mourning clothes and ashes. a a v21 Sackcloth and ashes were a public sign of deep grief and repentance in the ancient world. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to the grave. For if the miracles done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you."
The Father Revealed by the Son
25 At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Sovereign of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this pleased you. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."