Matthew 11; Matthew 12

Matthew 11

1 Jesus finished teaching his 12 disciples. Then he went on to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.

2 John was in prison. When he heard what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to him.

3 They asked Jesus, "Are you the one who was supposed to come? Or should we look for someone else?"

4 Jesus replied, "Go back to John. Report to him what you hear and see.

5 Blind people receive sight. Disabled people walk. Those who have skin diseases are healed. Deaf people hear. Those who are dead are raised to life. And the good news is preached to those who are poor.

6 Blessed are those who do not give up their faith because of me."

7 As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John. He said, "What did you go out into the desert to see? Tall grass waving in the wind?

8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No. People who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces.

9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

10 He is the one written about in Scripture. It says, " 'I will send my messenger ahead of you. He will prepare your way for you.' (Malachi 3:1)

11 "What I'm about to tell you is true. No one more important than John the Baptist has ever been born. But the least important person in the kingdom of heaven is more important than he is.

12 Since the days of John the Baptist, the kingdom of heaven has been advancing with force. And forceful people are taking hold of it.

13 All the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John came.

14 If you are willing to accept it, John is the Elijah who was supposed to come.

15 Those who have ears should listen.

16 "What can I compare today's people to? They are like children sitting in the market places and calling out to others. They say,

17 " 'We played the flute for you. But you didn't dance. We sang a funeral song. But you didn't become sad.'

18 When John came, he didn't eat or drink as you do. And people say, 'He has a demon.'

19 But when the Son of Man came, he ate and drank as you do. And people say, 'This fellow is always eating and drinking far too much. He's a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ' Those who act wisely prove that wisdom is right."

20 Jesus began to speak against the cities where he had done most of his miracles. The people there had not turned away from their sins. So he said,

21 "How terrible it will be for you, Korazin! How terrible for you, Bethsaida! Suppose the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon. They would have turned away from their sins long ago. They would have put on black clothes. They would have sat down in ashes.

22 But I tell you this. On judgment day it will be easier for Tyre and Sidon than for you.

23 "And what about you, Capernaum? Will you be lifted up to heaven? No! You will go down to the place of the dead. Suppose the miracles done in you had been done in Sodom. It would still be here today.

24 But I tell you this. On judgment day it will be easier for Sodom than for you."

25 At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father. You are Lord of heaven and earth. You have hidden these things from the wise and educated. But you have shown them to little children.

26 Yes, Father. This is what you wanted.

27 "My Father has given all things to me. The Father is the only one who knows the Son. And the only ones who know the Father are the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to make him known.

28 "Come to me, all of you who are tired and are carrying heavy loads. I will give you rest.

29 Become my servants and learn from me. I am gentle and free of pride. You will find rest for your souls.

30 Serving me is easy, and my load is light."

Matthew 12

1 One Sabbath day Jesus walked through the grainfields. His disciples were hungry. So they began to break off some heads of grain and eat them.

2 The Pharisees saw this. They said to Jesus, "Look! It is against the Law to do this on the Sabbath. But your disciples are doing it anyway!"

3 Jesus answered, "Haven't you read about what David did? He and his men were hungry.

4 So he entered the house of God. He and his men ate the holy bread. Only priests were allowed to eat it.

5 Haven't you read the Law? It tells how every Sabbath day the priests in the temple have to do their work on that day. But they are not considered guilty.

6 "I tell you that one who is more important than the temple is here.

7 Scripture says, 'I want mercy and not sacrifice.'(Hosea 6:6) You don't know what those words mean. If you did, you would not bring charges against those who are not guilty.

8 The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath day."

9 Going on from that place, Jesus went into their synagogue.

10 A man with a weak and twisted hand was there. The Pharisees were trying to find fault with Jesus. So they asked him, "Does the Law allow us to heal on the Sabbath day?"

11 He said to them, "What if one of your sheep falls into a pit on the Sabbath? Won't you take hold of it and lift it out?

12 A man is worth more than sheep! So the Law allows us to do good on the Sabbath day."

13 Then Jesus said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out. It was as good as new, just as good as the other hand.

14 But the Pharisees went out and planned how to kill Jesus.

15 Jesus knew all about the Pharisees' plans. So he left that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick people.

16 But he warned them not to tell who he was.

17 This was to make what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah come true. It says,

18 "Here is my servant. I have chosen him. He is the one I love. I am very pleased with him. I will put my Spirit on him. He will announce to the nations that everything will be made right.

19 He will not argue or cry out. No one will hear his voice in the streets.

20 He will not break a bent twig. He will not put out a dimly burning flame. He will make everything right.

21 The nations will put their hope in him." (Isaiah 42:1-4)

22 A man controlled by demons was brought to Jesus. The man was blind and could not speak. Jesus healed him. Then the man could speak and see.

23 All the people were amazed. They said, "Could this be the Son of David?"

24 The Pharisees heard this. So they said, "This fellow drives out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons."

25 Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said to them, "Every kingdom that fights against itself will be destroyed. Every city or family that is divided against itself will not stand.

26 If Satan drives out Satan, he fights against himself. Then how can his kingdom stand?

27 You say I drive out demons by the power of Beelzebub. Then by whose power do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.

28 But suppose I drive out demons by the Spirit of God. Then God's kingdom has come to you.

29 "Or think about this. How can you enter a strong man's house and just take what the man owns? You must first tie him up. Then you can rob his house.

30 "Anyone who is not with me is against me. Anyone who does not gather sheep with me scatters them.

31 So here is what I tell you. Every sin and every evil word spoken against God will be forgiven. But speaking evil things against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven. But anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. A person like that won't be forgiven either now or in days to come.

33 "If you make a tree good, its fruit will be good. If you make a tree bad, its fruit will be bad. You can tell a tree by its fruit.

34 "You nest of poisonous snakes! How can you who are evil say anything good? Your mouths say everything that is in your hearts.

35 A good man says good things. These come from the good that is put away inside him. An evil man says evil things. These come from the evil that is put away inside him.

36 But here is what I tell you. On judgment day, people will have to account for every careless word they have spoken.

37 By your words you will be found guilty or not guilty."

38 Some of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law came to Jesus. They said, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you."

39 He answered, "Evil and unfaithful people ask for a miraculous sign! But none will be given except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

40 Jonah was in the stomach of a huge fish for three days and three nights. Something like that will happen to the Son of Man. He will spend three days and three nights in the grave.

41 "The men of Nineveh will stand up on judgment day with the people now living. And the Ninevites will prove that those people are guilty. The men of Nineveh turned away from their sins when Jonah preached to them. And now one who is more important than Jonah is here.

42 "The Queen of the South will stand up on judgment day with the people now living. And she will prove that they are guilty. She came from very far away to listen to Solomon's wisdom. And now one who is more important than Solomon is here.

43 "What happens when an evil spirit comes out of a man? It goes through dry areas looking for a place to rest. But it doesn't find it.

44 Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives there, it finds the house empty. The house has been swept clean and put in order.

45 Then the evil spirit goes and takes with it seven other spirits more evil than itself. They go in and live there. That man is worse off than before. That is how it will be with the evil people of today."

46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside. They wanted to speak to him.

47 Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside. They want to speak to you."

48 Jesus replied to him, "Who is my mother? And who are my brothers?"

49 Jesus pointed to his disciples. He said, "Here is my mother! Here are my brothers!

50 Anyone who does what my Father in heaven wants is my brother or sister or mother."