Matthew – Chapter 11

New Testament30 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 11 of Matthew begins: "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…" The chapter centers on John and Elijah. Across its 30 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and God's kingdom and kingship. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1And 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.

2Now when John had heard in prison the works of Christ: sending two of his disciples he said to him:

3Art thou he that art to come, or look we for another?

4And Jesus making answer said to them: Go and relate to John what you have heard and seen.

5The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise again, the poor have the gospel preached to them.

6And blessed is he that shall not be scandalized in me.

7And 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?

8But 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.

9But what went you out to see? A prophet? Yea I tell you, and more than a prophet.

10For this is he of whom it is written: Behold I send my angel before my face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.

11Amen 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.

12And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent bear it away.

13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John:

14And if you will receive it, he is Elias that is to come.

15He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

16But whereunto shall I esteem this generation to be like? It is like to children sitting in the market place.

17Who crying to their companions say: We have piped to you, and you have not danced: we have lamented, and you have not mourned.

18For John came neither eating nor drinking; and they say: He hath a devil.

19The 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.

20Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein were done the most of his miracles, for that they had not done penance.

21Woe 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.

22But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment, than for you.

23And 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.

24But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for thee.

25At 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.

26Yea, Father: for so hath it seemed good in thy sight.

27All 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.

28Come to me all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you.

29Take 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.

30For my yoke is sweet and my burden light.

Important Verses in Matthew 11

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.

Matthew 11:1

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.

Matthew 11:11

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.

Matthew 11:25

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.

Matthew 11:29

Historical Context

Matthew addresses jewish Christians, shown that Jesus fulfills the Scriptures of Israel within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 11 of 28 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 30 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. John and Elijah appear at the center of the events recorded here. The passage starts with these words: "And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he passed from thence, to teach and…" The final verse reads: "For my yoke is sweet and my burden light. " Read against its original backdrop, Matthew wrote for Jewish Christians, presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets—the Son of David, the new Moses who delivers the Sermon on the Mount. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians.

Who Wrote It

The Apostle Matthew (Levi), the former tax collector, according to unanimous early tradition

When It Was Written

About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians

Catholic Commentary

Read at the narrative level, this chapter describes real persons, decisions, and consequences within Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish hopes. A pivotal line is verse 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." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads Matthew 11 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. Matthew shows Christ as the new Moses and true Israel (CIC 577). St. Bede the Venerable and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 2578).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • True conversion means turning away from sin and returning to God with our whole heart.

People in This Chapter

John7 mentionsElijah1 mention

Reflection for Today

The central section of Matthew—Chapter 11 of 28—opens a particular moment in the story of Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish hopes.

According to Catholic teaching, Matthew shows Christ as the new Moses and true Israel (CIC 577). This chapter especially highlights Mary and the communion of saints, a theme the Catechism develops in relation to the whole of revelation (CIC 1814).

May your reading of Matthew Chapter 11 become true lectio divina: read the words, meditate on their meaning, respond in prayer, and rest in God's presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to show how All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me applies to your life today.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Matthew Chapter 11 about?

Matthew 11 contains 30 verses. It opens with "And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he passed from thence, to teach and…" and closes with "For my yoke is sweet and my burden light. ". The book as a whole is gospel.

What is a key verse in Matthew 11?

One of the most significant verses is verse 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." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Matthew Chapter 11?

This chapter mentions John, Elijah.

Who wrote Matthew and when?

The Apostle Matthew (Levi), the former tax collector, according to unanimous early tradition. About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians.

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