Lockman - Bible questions and answers

		Matt 11:1 When Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He went on from there to teach and to preach in their [Galilean] cities.
		Matt 11:2 ¶ Now when John [the Baptist] in prison heard about the activities of Christ, he sent word by his disciples [Luke 7:18-35]
		Matt 11:3 and asked Him, "Are You the Expected One (the Messiah), or should we look for someone else [who will be the promised One]?" [Gen 49:10; Num 24:17; Ps 40:7; 118:26; Is 59:20]
		Matt 11:4 Jesus answered, "Go and report to John what you hear and see:
		Matt 11:5 the BLIND RECEIVE [their] SIGHT and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed [by healing] and the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM. [Is 35:5, 6; 61:1]
		Matt 11:6 "And blessed [joyful, favored by God] is he who does not take offense at Me [accepting Me as the Messiah and trusting confidently in My message of salvation]." [Luke 7:23]
		Matt 11:7 ¶ As these men were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: "What did you go out in the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind [which is commonplace]?
		Matt 11:8 "What did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing [entirely unsuited for the harsh desert]? Those who wear soft clothing are in the palaces of kings!
		Matt 11:9 "But what did you [really] go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one [more eminent, more remarkable, and] far more than a prophet [who foretells the future].
		Matt 11:10 "This is the one of whom it is written [by the prophet Malachi], 'BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.' [Mal 3:1]
		Matt 11:11 "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater [in privilege] than he.
		Matt 11:12 "From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize].
		Matt 11:13 "For all the prophets and the Law prophesied up until John.
		Matt 11:14 "And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is [the fulfillment of] Elijah [as the messenger] who was to come [before the kingdom]. [Mal 4:5]
		Matt 11:15 "He who has ears to hear, let him hear and heed My words.
		Matt 11:16 ¶ "But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like little children sitting in the market places, who call to the others,
		Matt 11:17 and say 'We piped the flute for you [playing wedding], and you did not dance; we wailed sad dirges [playing funeral], and you did not mourn and cry aloud.'
		Matt 11:18 "For John came neither eating nor drinking [with others], and they say, 'He has a demon!'
		Matt 11:19 "The Son of Man came eating and drinking [with others], and they say, 'Look! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners [including non-observant Jews]!' Yet wisdom is justified and vindicated by her deeds [in the lives of those who respond to Me]."
		Matt 11:20 ¶ Then He began to denounce [the people in] the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent [and change their hearts and lives].
		Matt 11:21 "Woe (judgment is coming) to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon [cities of the Gentiles], they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes [their hearts would have been changed and they would have expressed sorrow for their sin and rebellion against God].
		Matt 11:22 "Nevertheless I say to you, it will be more tolerable for [the pagan cities of] Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
		Matt 11:23 "And you, Capernaum, are you to be exalted to heaven [for your apathy and unresponsiveness]? You will descend to Hades (the realm of the dead); for if the miracles done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
		Matt 11:24 "But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment, than for you."
		Matt 11:25 ¶ At that time Jesus said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth [I openly and joyfully acknowledge Your great wisdom], that You have hidden these things [these spiritual truths] from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to infants [to new believers, to those seeking God's will and purpose].
		Matt 11:26 "Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.
		Matt 11:27 "All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one fully knows and accurately understands the Son except the Father; and no one fully knows and accurately understands the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son [deliberately] wills to reveal Him.
		Matt 11:28 ¶ "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation].
		Matt 11:29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST (renewal, blessed quiet) FOR YOUR SOULS. [Jer 6:16]
		Matt 11:30 "For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light."

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