11:1 After Jesus had finished giving the assignment to his Twelve disciples, he went from there to teach and proclaim in all those cities.

11:2 Now John was in prison, and when he heard about all the things the Anointed was doing, he sent his disciples

11:3 to ask him, “Are you the Coming One, or should we look for someone else?”

11:4 And Jesus’ response was, “Go and tell John what you’re seeing and hearing:

11:5 the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the destitute are being given good news.

11:6 Happy are those who aren’t tripped up because of me.”

11:7 When John’s disciples had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about him: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed being bent by the wind?

11:8 No? Maybe you went out to see someone dressed in fancy clothes; but no, such people are found in the palaces of kings.

11:9 So what is it you went out to see? A prophet? Yes; but I assure you, much more than a prophet!

11:10 He is the one about whom it is written: ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you. He will prepare the road in front of you.’

11:11 “I tell you truly that no one born of women in this generation is greater than John the Immerser! Yet the least significant in the kingdom of the heavens is greater than he.

11:12 From the time of John the Immerser until now, there have been people trying to barge into the kingdom of the heavens when they have no legal right to it, interfering with others’ rights to it.

11:13 But this was all prophesied in the Law and Prophets.

11:14 And if you choose to accept it, John is the Elijah who was to come.

11:15 If you have ears, listen!

11:16 “How can I describe this generation? It’s like children sitting in the marketplace calling out to each other,

11:17 ‘We played the flute but you didn’t dance; we mourned but you didn’t grieve.’

11:18 For John doesn’t go around eating and drinking, and they say, ‘He’s possessed!’

11:19 But the Human does go around eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at that glutton and drunkard! He hangs around with tax contractors and deviants!’ But Wisdom is validated by all who accept it.”

11:20 Then he began a rant against those cities in which he had displayed the most of his power, because they did not change their minds:

11:21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! And woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the power displayed in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have changed their minds long ago and expressed deep grief and shame.

11:22 Yet they will be better off than you on Judgment Day!

11:23 And as for you, Capernaum, you will not be lifted up to heaven but go down to Hades! For if the power displayed in you had been done in Sodom, it would still be there today.

11:24 Yet I tell you that the land of Sodom will be better off on Judgment Day than you!”

11:25 At the end of that Jesus concluded, “I acknowledge you, Father, Master of heaven and earth, because you concealed these things from the wise and educated, and you revealed them to those of no reputation.

11:26 Yes, Father, this is what pleased you.

11:27 Then he turned to the people and said, “Everything has been handed over to me by my Father. No one can really know the Son except the Father, nor can anyone know the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

11:28 So come to me, all who labor under a heavy load, and I will relieve you.

11:29 Put my harness on you and learn from me, for I am gentle and considerate. Then you will find rest for yourselves,

11:30 because my harness is gentle and the load is light.”