AND it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding His twelve disciples, He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.
Messengers from John
2 ¶ Now when John had heard in prison, the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
3 And said to Him: “Are you He that should come, or do we wait for another?”
4 Jesus answered and said to them: “Go and report to John those things which you hear and see:
5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel proclaimed to them.
6 Also: blessed is he, whosoever shall not be caused to be offended, in me.”
Jesus talks about John
7 ¶ And as they departed, Jesus began to say to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
8 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in fine raiment? behold, those that wear fine clothing are in kings’ houses.
9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? yes, I say to you also: a very great prophet.
10 For this is he, of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way ahead of you.’
11 Truly I say to you: Among those that are born of women, there has not risen greater than John the Baptist. But he that is least in the kingdom of heaven, is greater than he.
12 But from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14 And if you will receive it: this is Elijah, which was to come.
15 He that has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Rejection by that Generation
16 ¶ “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like: children sitting in the markets, and calling to their companions,
17 And saying: ‘We played a flute to you, and you have not danced; we have sung a lament to you, and you have not mourned.’
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: ‘Behold a man gluttonous, and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proven right, of her children.”
Woe to Unrepentant Cities
20 ¶ Then began He to rebuke the cities, in which most of His powerful works were wrought: because they did not repent!
21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! woe to you, Bethsaida! for if the powerful works, which were wrought in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes!
22 But I say to you: It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment, than for you!
23 And you, Capernaum, which be exalted to heaven; shall be brought down to Hades: for if the powerful works, which have been wrought in you, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
24 But I say to you: That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you!”
Jesus Promises Rest
25 ¶ At that time Jesus answered and said: “I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intellectual, and have revealed them to small children.
26 Yes, Father: for thus, it was pleasing in your sight.”
27 ¶ “All things are handed over to me by my Father; and no man knows the Son, except the Father; neither knows any man the Father, except the Son, and he to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.”
28 ¶ “Come to me, all you that labour and are burdened: and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is good, and my burden is light.”