PrevMatthew 11:29Next

Matthew 11

And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.

Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:

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 preached to them.

And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.

But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.

For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.

He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,

And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.

The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:

Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

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

And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

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

At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.

All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

What does Matthew 11:29 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 11:29 contains an invitation from Jesus to His followers, beckoning them to take on His "yoke" and learn from Him.

Symbolically, a yoke is a wooden beam normally used between a pair of oxen to enable them to pull together on a load.

In this context, taking on Jesus' yoke implies accepting His guidance and teachings.

The term "meek" signifies humility and gentleness, while "lowly in heart" suggests a lack of arrogance or pride. Jesus is offering a way of life that stands in contrast to worldly burdens and stresses, promising that those who follow His path will find spiritual rest and peace.

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

In the historical context, yokes were familiar tools used in agriculture.

They signify labor, burden, and a means to guide and control animals.

For the original audience, which would have understood the agricultural implications, Jesus was offering a form of discipleship that contrasted with the legalistic demands of the Pharisees.

Rather than an oppressive yoke of law, Jesus offers a yoke of grace.

The setting is during Jesus' ministry in Galilee when He was teaching crowds and proclaiming the kingdom of heaven.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse highlights the idea of rest and salvation in Christ, which is a key concept in Christianity.

The "yoke" represents Jesus' teachings and commandments, which are viewed as loving guidance rather than burdensome rules.

It echoes the concept that life aligned with divine principles leads to inner peace, as opposed to the strife that can come with earthly pursuits.

Different denominations have interpreted this verse slightly differently: some see it as an invitation to spiritual formation, others as an offer of salvation, and still others as a call to a life of service in imitation of Christ's humility.

Practical Applications

In practice, Matthew 11:29 encourages individuals to embrace a lifestyle of humility and service.

It may involve serving others, engaging in spiritual disciplines, and adopting a gentle disposition.

By choosing to adopt Jesus' teachings in daily life, adherents are encouraged to relinquish their personal burdens and instead trust in the support and guidance of Jesus.

This results in a life where priorities are ordered according to spiritual values, thus leading to a more purposeful and contented existence.

Cross-References

Matthew 11:28 - "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Jeremiah 6:16 - "Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.

But they said, We will not walk therein."

Philippians 2:5-8 - "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men."
Galatians 5:1 - "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

Language Study

In the original Greek text of the New Testament, key words include:

"Yoke" (ζυγός, zygos): often used metaphorically for submission to a person's teachings or authority.
"Meek" (πραΰς, praus): implies gentleness, humility, and a non-retaliatory spirit.
"Lowly" (ταπεινός, tapeinos): denotes humility or being of low estate.
"Rest" (ἀνάπαυσις, anapausis): refers to cessation from labor, refreshment, or peace.

Understanding these terms in their original context gives depth to the verse, emphasizing the contrast between Jesus' teachings and the legalistic approach of the religious leaders of His time.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In cultures and religions around the ancient world, leaders and deities were often depicted as powerful, domineering, and demanding.

The Egyptian pharaohs, Roman Caesars, and the Greek gods would typically impose harsh burdens on their subjects.

The portrayal of Jesus as meek and humble is distinctly countercultural in this context.

Moreover, many religious systems based burdensome rites and rituals on adherents, unlike the grace-centered teaching found in Jesus' words.

Scientific Perspectives

Intersecting this verse with modern scientific understandings, one can explore the psychological benefits of adopting a humble attitude and the restorative effects of rest on the mind and body.

Scientific studies show that individuals who engage in practices that promote peace and reduce stress, akin to taking on a "light yoke," can experience improvements in mental health, resilience, and overall well-being.

commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer various reflections on this verse. For example:

William Barclay notes that Jesus' yoke is not a burden that weighs us down but rather something that is fashioned to fit us perfectly.

It is a yoke that is designed for two, where Christ shares the burden with us.

John Gill interprets that taking the yoke may mean submission to the ordinances of Christ and that rest for the soul is found in his righteousness and sacrifice.
Matthew Henry focuses on the restfulness of heart that Jesus offers, contrasting it with the unrest found in the ways of sin and the world.

These commentaries help illuminate the verse’s role in guiding Christians toward a more spiritually aligned and peaceful way of life.

Matthew 11

Matthew 11

What does Matthew 11:29 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?

What does Matthew 11:29 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?