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Matthew Chapter 11

New Testament Gospel 30 Verses

What is Matthew 11 about?

The Gospel for a Jewish audience — Jesus as Messiah-King, fulfillment of OT prophecy, and teacher of the Sermon on the Mount. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1And it came to pass when Jesus had finished commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and preach in their cities.
2Now when John heard in the prison the works of the Christ, he sent by his disciples
3and said unto him, Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another?
4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and tell John the things which ye hear and see:
5the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good tidings preached to them.
6And blessed is he, whosoever shall find no occasion of stumbling in me.
7And as these went their way, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? a reed shaken with the wind?
8But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in soft [raiment]? Behold, they that wear soft [raiment] are in king`s houses.
9But wherefore went ye out? to see a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.
10This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who shall prepare thy way before thee.
11Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not arisen a greater than John the Baptist: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and men of violence take it by force.
13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14And if ye are willing to receive [it,] this is Elijah, that is to come.
15He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
16But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the marketplaces, who call unto their fellows
17and say, We piped unto you, and ye did not dance; we wailed, and ye did not mourn.
18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a demon.
19The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold, a gluttonous man and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! And wisdom is justified by her works.
20Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not.
21Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.
23And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be exalted unto heaven? thou shalt go down unto Hades: for if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in thee, it would have remained until this day.
24But I say unto you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
25At that season Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes:
26yea, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in thy sight.
27All things have been delivered unto me of my Father: and no one knoweth the Son, save the Father; neither doth any know the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal [him.]
28Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“And it came to pass, etc.] In the course of things, and as before determined and resolved on, that when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples; when he had given them a commission to preach the Gospel, had finished all his instructions he thought fit to give them, and orders he enjoined them, relating to that work; as where they should go, what they should say, how they should behave, and what treatment they should meet with; and had given them all proper advice and encouragement, he departed thence, from the place where he then was: he did not desist either from the ministry of the word, or…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“THE IMPRISONED BAPTIST'S MESSAGE TO HIS MASTER--THE REPLY, AND DISCOURSE, ON THE DEPARTURE OF THE MESSENGERS, REGARDING JOHN AND HIS MISSION. ( = Luke 7:18-35). (Mat. 11:1-19) And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciple--rather, "the twelve disciples," he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities--This was scarcely a fourth circuit--if we may judge from the less formal way in which it was expressed--but, perhaps, a set of visits paid to certain places, either not reached at all before, or too rapidly passed through, in order to fill up the time till the return of…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“And it came to pass ... - The directions to the apostles were given in the vicinity of Capernaum. The Saviour went from thence to preach in their cities; that is, in the cities in the vicinity of Capernaum, or in Galilee. He did not yet go into Judea. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“In their cities - The other cities of Israel. Matthew 11:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 2
“11:2–20:34 This section highlights the two primary responses to Jesus: acceptance and rejection. The first section (11:2–12:50) features the rejection of Jesus by Jewish leaders while his disciples were learning to understand and accept him. 11:2-19 This section begins with John the Baptist’s doubt, but it ends by exalting his faith and ministry (11:7-19). The people’s rejection of John (11:16-19) foreshadows their later rejection of Jesus. 11:2 John was arrested (4:12) by Herod Antipas because he had denounced Herod’s immoral relationship with Herodias, his half-brother’s wife (14:1-12). • the things the Messiah…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“commanding: Mat 28:20; Joh 15:10, Joh 15:14; Act 1:2, Act 10:42; Th1 4:2; Th2 3:6, Th2 3:10; Ti1 6:14 he departed: Mat 4:23, Mat 9:35; Isa 61:1-3; Mar 1:38, Mar 1:39; Luk 4:15-21, Luk 8:1; Act 10:38 Matthew 11:2”
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