Bible / Matthew
Matthew 11
World English Bible, Catholic edition, in plain modern English. About the translations
Douay-Rheims Bible, Challoner revision, the traditional Catholic English Bible. About the translations
1 When Jesus had finished directing his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and preach in their cities.
2 Now when John heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples
3 and said to him, “Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?”
4 Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:
5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. CCC
6 Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.” CCC
7 As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
8 But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
9 But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet. Fathers
10 For this is he, of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’
11 Most certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. Fathers
12 From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. Fathers
13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. CCC · Fathers
14 If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come. CCC · Fathers
15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear. Fathers
16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their companions
17 and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned for you, and you didn’t lament.’
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 gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.” Fathers
20 Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they didn’t repent. CCC
21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. CCC
22 But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. CCC
23 You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, you will go down to Hades. For if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in you, it would have remained until today. CCC · Fathers
24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment, than for you.” CCC · Fathers
25 At that time, Jesus answered, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to infants. CCC · Fathers
26 Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight. CCC
27 All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father, except the Son and he to whom the Son desires to reveal him. CCC · Fathers
28 “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. CCC
29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. CCC
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” CCC
1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he passed from thence, to teach and to preach in their cities.
2 Now when John had heard in prison the works of Christ: sending two of his disciples he said to him:
3 Art thou he that art to come, or look we for another?
4 And Jesus making answer said to them: Go and relate to John what you have heard and seen.
5 The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise again, the poor have the gospel preached to them. CCC
6 And blessed is he that shall not be scandalized in me. CCC
7 And when they went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: What went you out into the desert to see? a reed shaken with the wind?
8 But what went you out to see? a man clothed in soft garments? Behold they that are clothed in soft garments, are in the houses of kings.
9 But what went you out to see? A prophet? Yea I tell you, and more than a prophet. Fathers
10 For this is he of whom it is written: Behold I send my angel before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.
11 Amen I say to you, there hath not risen among them that are born of women a greater than John the Baptist: yet he that is the lesser in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Fathers
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent bear it away. Fathers
13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John: CCC · Fathers
14 And if you will receive it, he is Elias that is to come. CCC · Fathers
15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Fathers
16 But whereunto shall I esteem this generation to be like? It is like to children sitting in the market place.
17 Who crying to their companions say: We have piped to you, and you have not danced: we have lamented, and you have not mourned.
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking; and they say: He hath a devil.
19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say: Behold a man that is a glutton and a wine drinker, a friend of publicans and sinners. And wisdom is justified by her children. Fathers
20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein were done the most of his miracles, for that they had not done penance. CCC
21 Woe to thee, Corozain, woe to thee, Bethsaida: for if in Tyre and Sidon had been wrought the miracles that have been wrought in you, they had long ago done penance in sackcloth and ashes. CCC
22 But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment, than for you. CCC
23 And thou Capharnaum, shalt thou be exalted up to heaven? thou shalt go down even unto hell. For if in Sodom had been wrought the miracles that have been wrought in thee, perhaps it had remained unto this day. CCC · Fathers
24 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for thee. CCC · Fathers
25 At that time Jesus answered and said: I confess to thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to little ones. CCC · Fathers
26 Yea, Father: for so hath it seemed good in thy sight. CCC
27 All things are delivered to me by my Father. And no one knoweth the Son but the Father: neither doth any one know the Father, but the Son, and he to whom it shall please the Son to reveal him. CCC · Fathers
28 Come to me all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you. CCC
29 Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: And you shall find rest to your souls. CCC
30 For my yoke is sweet and my burden light. CCC
This chapter in the Catechism and the early Church
Where the Catechism of the Catholic Church cites these verses (from its footnotes on vatican.va), and where the earliest Church Fathers quote them (Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1, public domain). Short quotes only; follow the links for the full text. The Catechism uses modern verse numbers, so these are listed by chapter.
Read the Catechism
- CCC 548 “The signs worked by Jesus attest that the Father has sent him. They invite belief in him. To those who turn to…”
Read the Fathers
“Truly of Him who said that John had something even "more than a prophet,”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book III, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter X. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
“Wherefore the Lord said that He deemed him "more than a prophet.”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book III, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XI. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Read the Fathers
“Truly of Him who said that John had something even "more than a prophet,”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book III, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter X. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Read the Fathers
“He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
Quoted in Dialogue with Trypho, St. Justin Martyr (c. AD 160), Chapter LI. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
“On this account, too, did the Lord assert that the kingdom of heaven was the portion of "the violent;" and He says, "The violent take it by force;”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book IV, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XXXVII. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Read the Catechism and Fathers
- CCC 523 “St. John the Baptist is the Lord's immediate precursor or forerunner, sent to prepare his way. "Prophet of the Most High", John…”
- CCC 719 “John the Baptist is "more than a prophet." In him, the Holy Spirit concludes his speaking through the prophets. John completes the…”
“He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
Quoted in Dialogue with Trypho, St. Justin Martyr (c. AD 160), Chapter LI. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Read the Catechism and Fathers
- CCC 719 “John the Baptist is "more than a prophet." In him, the Holy Spirit concludes his speaking through the prophets. John completes the…”
“He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
Quoted in Dialogue with Trypho, St. Justin Martyr (c. AD 160), Chapter LI. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Read the Fathers
“He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
Quoted in Dialogue with Trypho, St. Justin Martyr (c. AD 160), Chapter LI. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Read the Fathers
“For it is said, "The Son of man came eating and drinking;”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book IV, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XXXI. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Read the Catechism
- CCC 678 “Following in the steps of the prophets and John the Baptist, Jesus announced the judgement of the Last Day in his preaching.…”
Read the Catechism
- CCC 678 “Following in the steps of the prophets and John the Baptist, Jesus announced the judgement of the Last Day in his preaching.…”
Read the Catechism
- CCC 678 “Following in the steps of the prophets and John the Baptist, Jesus announced the judgement of the Last Day in his preaching.…”
Read the Catechism and Fathers
- CCC 678 “Following in the steps of the prophets and John the Baptist, Jesus announced the judgement of the Last Day in his preaching.…”
“Verily I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book IV, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XXXVI. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Read the Catechism and Fathers
- CCC 678 “Following in the steps of the prophets and John the Baptist, Jesus announced the judgement of the Last Day in his preaching.…”
“Verily I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book IV, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XXXVI. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
“… be cut down, and cast into the fire." And it is He who uses [the words], that it will be more tolerable for Sodom in the general judgment than for those who beheld His wonders, and did not believe on Him, nor receive His doctrine.”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book IV, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XXXVI. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Read the Catechism and Fathers
- CCC 544 “The kingdom belongs to the poor and lowly, which means those who have accepted it with humble hearts. Jesus is sent to…”
- CCC 2603 “The evangelists have preserved two more explicit prayers offered by Christ during his public ministry. Each begins with thanksgiving. In the first,…”
- CCC 2701 “Vocal prayer is an essential element of the Christian life. To his disciples, drawn by their Master's silent prayer, Jesus teaches a…”
- CCC 2779 “Before we make our own this first exclamation of the Lord's Prayer, we must humbly cleanse our hearts of certain false images…”
- CCC 2785 “Second, a humble and trusting heart that enables us "to turn and become like children": for it is to "little children" that…”
- CCC 153 “When St. Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, Jesus declared to him that this revelation…”
“Again, our Lord Jesus Christ confesses this same Being as His Father, where He says: "I confess to thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth.”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book IV, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter II. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Read the Catechism
- CCC 2603 “The evangelists have preserved two more explicit prayers offered by Christ during his public ministry. Each begins with thanksgiving. In the first,…”
- CCC 2701 “Vocal prayer is an essential element of the Christian life. To his disciples, drawn by their Master's silent prayer, Jesus teaches a…”
- CCC 2779 “Before we make our own this first exclamation of the Lord's Prayer, we must humbly cleanse our hearts of certain false images…”
Read the Catechism and Fathers
- CCC 443 “Peter could recognize the transcendent character of the Messiah's divine sonship because Jesus had clearly allowed it to be so understood. To…”
- CCC 473 “But at the same time, this truly human knowledge of God's Son expressed the divine life of his person. "The human nature…”
- CCC 2603 “The evangelists have preserved two more explicit prayers offered by Christ during his public ministry. Each begins with thanksgiving. In the first,…”
- CCC 2779 “Before we make our own this first exclamation of the Lord's Prayer, we must humbly cleanse our hearts of certain false images…”
- CCC 151 “For a Christian, believing in God cannot be separated from believing in the One he sent, his "beloved Son", in whom the…”
“… the Christ, because the Jews knew not what the Father was, and what the Son, in like manner accused them; and Himself said, "No one knoweth the Father, but the Son; nor the Son, but the Father, and they to whom the Son revealeth Him.”
Quoted in First Apology, St. Justin Martyr (c. AD 155), Chapter LXIII. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
“… know Me, my people have not understood Me." And again, Jesus, as we have already shown, while He was with them, said, "No one knoweth the Father, but the Son; nor the Son but the Father, and those to whom the Son will reveal Him.”
Quoted in First Apology, St. Justin Martyr (c. AD 155), Chapter LXIII. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
“… mysteriously, but also in the Gospel it is written that He said: All things are delivered unto me by My Father;' and, No man knoweth the Father but the Son; nor the Son but the Father, and they to whom the Son will reveal Him.”
Quoted in Dialogue with Trypho, St. Justin Martyr (c. AD 160), Chapter C. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Read the Catechism
- CCC 1658 “We must also remember the great number of single persons who, because of the particular circumstances in which they have to live…”
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- CCC 1615 “This unequivocal insistence on the indissolubility of the marriage bond may have left some perplexed and could seem to be a demand…”
- Matthew 11:40 in modern Bibles
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“… in the land of sepulture; and He descended to them, to rescue and save them." And the Lord Himself says, "As Jonas remained three days and three nights in the whale's belly, so shall the Son of man be in the heart of the earth.”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book V, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XXXI. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1