1When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.2Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples (太1:17; 太4:12; 太9:14; 太14:3; 路7:18)3and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (路3:15; 约4:25; 约6:14; 约11:27)4And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see:5the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers[1] are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. (太5:3; 路4:18; 路7:22; 雅2:5)6And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” (赛8:14; 约6:61)7As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? (太3:1; 路1:80; 弗4:14; 雅1:6)8What then did you go out to see? A man[2] dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.9What then did you go out to see? A prophet?[3] Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. (太14:5; 太21:26; 路1:76)10This is he of whom it is written, “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ (玛3:1; 可1:2)11Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.12From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence,[4] and the violent take it by force. (路16:16)13For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, (太11:12)14and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. (玛4:5; 太17:10; 可9:11; 路1:17; 约1:21)15He who has ears to hear,[5] let him hear. (太13:9; 太13:43; 路8:8; 路14:35)16“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,17“‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ (太3:4; 可1:6; 路1:15)19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”[6] (太9:10; 太9:11; 太18:17; 路7:36; 路14:1; 路15:2; 路19:7; 约2:1; 约12:2)
Woe to Unrepentant Cities
20Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. (诗81:11; 赛1:2)21“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. (结28:2; 摩1:9; 太15:21; 可3:8; 路10:12)22But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. (太11:21; 路12:47; 徒17:31)23And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. (赛14:13; 太16:18; 路16:23; 徒2:27)24But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.” (太10:15; 太11:22)
Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest
25At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; (伯37:24; 诗8:2; 太13:11; 太16:17; 太21:16; 路10:21; 徒17:24; 林前1:19; 林后3:14)26yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.[7] (路12:32; 加1:15)27All 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. (太28:18; 约1:18; 约6:46; 约7:29; 约8:19; 约10:15; 约17:25; 约17:26)28Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (太11:3; 太23:4; 路11:46; 约6:37; 约7:37)29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (耶6:16; 亚9:9; 太5:5; 约13:15; 林后10:1; 弗4:20; 腓2:5; 腓2:7; 彼前2:21; 约一2:6)30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (约一5:3)