It happened that when ‘Isa had finished directing his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and preach in their cities. 2Now when Yahya heard in prison the works of al-Masih, he sent two of his disciples 3and said to him, “Are you the One who is to come, or should we look for another?“
4‘Isa answered them, “Go and tell Yahya the things which you hear and see: 5the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Injil preached to them. 6Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.“
7As they went their way, ‘Isa began to say to the crowds concerning Yahya, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in king’s houses. 9But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet. 10For this is he, of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.'[1]11Most assuredly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than Prophet Yahya; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. 12From the days of Prophet Yahya until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. 13For all the Prophets and the Taurat prophesied until Yahya. 14If you are willing to receive it, this is Ilyas, who is to come. 15He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
16“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their companions 17and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned for you, and you didn’t lament.’ 18For Yahya came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19Ibn Adam 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.“
20Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, 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. 22But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23You, Capernaum, who are exalted to Heaven, you will go down to the grave. For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24But I tell you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom, on the day of judgment, than for you.“
25At that time, ‘Isa 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. 26Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight. 27All 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.
28“Come to me, all you who labour and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.“
[1] 11:10 Quoting the Taurat, Malachi 3:1.