1 When Jesus {Iesous, Commissioning Teacher} finished giving directions to His twelve disciples {mathetes: apprenticed followers}, He departed from there to teach and to proclaim in their cities.
2 Now John, after hearing in the prison the works of the Christ {Christos, Anointed One}, sent word by means of his disciples {matheton: followers in learning}.
3 He said to Him {Iesous, Questioned Messiah}, “Are You the Coming One {erchomenos: awaited deliverer}, or must we await another?”
4 Jesus {Iesous, Revealing Messiah} responded to them, “Go and report {apangeilate: formally declare} to John what you are hearing and seeing.”
5 Blind people receive their sight, and the lame walk; lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear; the dead are raised {egeirontai: brought to life}, and the poor have good news {euangelizontai: royal rescue announcement} proclaimed to them.
6 And blessed {makarios: one experiencing divine favor} is the one who does not stumble because of Me {Iesous, Unexpected Messiah}.
7 As these were going away, Jesus {Iesous, Interpreter Of John} began speaking to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed being shaken by the wind {anemos: moving air}?”
8 But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft garments {malakos: luxurious clothing}? Look—those who wear soft clothing are in the houses of kings {basileus: royal household}.
9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes—I {Iesous, Insightful Judge} tell you—and more than a prophet {prophetes: God-sent spokesman}.
10 This is the one about whom it has been written: “Behold, I {Theos, Sovereign Sender} send My messenger {angelos: prophetic envoy} before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.”
11 Truly I say to you, among all those born {gennetois: natural birth} of women no one greater has arisen than John the Baptist; yet the one who is least in the kingdom {basileia: royal dominion} of the heavens is greater than he.
12 But from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of the heavens {basileia: divine reign} is being treated violently, and violent ones {biastai: forceful attackers} seize it.
13 For all the prophets {prophetai: inspired spokesmen} and the Law {nomos: covenant instruction} prophesied up to John.
14 And if you are willing {thelete: choose freely} to accept it, he is Elijah {Elias: prophetic forerunner} who is destined to come.
15 The one who has ears {ota: capacity to hear} must hear {akoueto: heed the message}.
16 But what analogy shall I {Iesous, Wise Evaluator} draw for this generation? It is like children who sit in the marketplaces and call out to the others {heterois: close companions}.
17 They say, “We piped tunes for you, yet you would not dance; we wailed {ethrenesamen: expressed deep sorrow} and you refused to lament {ekopsasthe: beat your breast in grief}.”
18 For John {Ioannes: Prophetic Herald} came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon {daimonion: unclean spirit}.”
19 The Son of Man {huios tou anthropou, Publicly Rejected Messiah} came eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a man who is a glutton and a wine-drinker, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Yet wisdom is shown to be right by her deeds {ergon: outward evidence}.
20 Then He {Iesous, Just Judge} began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent {metanoeo: deep inner turning}.
21 Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works {dynameis: miracle deeds} performed in your midst had occurred in Tyre and Sidon, they would have long ago repented in sackcloth and ashes {spodos: sign of mourning}.
22 Nevertheless, I {Iesous, Righteous Judge} say to you that on the day of judgment it will be less harsh for Tyre {Tyros: renowned port city} and Sidon than for you.
23 And you, Capernaum, do you imagine you will be lifted up to heaven? Instead, you will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works {dunameis: miraculous powers} performed in you had taken place in Sodom, it would have remained until this day {semeron: literal today}.
24 But I {Iesous, Righteous Judge} declare to you that in the day of judgment {krisis: final divine decision} the land of Sodom will face a milder fate than you will.
25 At that time Jesus {Iesous, Grateful Son} answered and said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise {sophon: status-privileged scholars} and understanding and have revealed them to infants.”
26 Yes, Father {Pater, Gracious Planner}, for this was Your good pleasure {eudokia: gracious will} before You.
27 All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father {Pater, Sovereign Giver}, and no one knows the Son {Huios, Perfectly Known One} except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and to whomever the Son wills to reveal Him.
28 Come to Me {Iesous, Inviting Messiah}, all who are toiling {kopiontes: depleting effort} and laden, and I will grant you rest.
29 Take My {Iesous, Rest-Giving Lord} yoke upon you, and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls {psychais: whole inner life}.
30 For My {Iesous, Compassionate Master} yoke is easy, and My burden {phortion: carried responsibilities} is light.