Jesus and John the Baptist
1Jesus finished teaching his 12 disciples. Then he went on to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
2John the Baptist was in prison. When he heard about the actions of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to him. 3They asked Jesus, “Are you the one who is supposed to come? Or should we look for someone else?”
4Jesus replied, “Go back to John. Report to him what you hear and see. 5Blind people receive sight. Disabled people walk. Those who have skin diseases are made ‘clean.’ Deaf people hear. Those who are dead are raised to life. And the good news is preached to those who are poor. 6Blessed is anyone who does not give up their faith because of me.”
7As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John. He said, “What did you go out into the desert to see? Tall grass waving in the wind? 8If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No. People who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10He is the one written about in Scripture. It says,
“ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you.
He will prepare your way for you.’ (Malachi 3:1)
11What I’m about to tell you is true. No one more important than John the Baptist has ever been born. But the least important person in the kingdom of heaven is more important than he is. 12Since the days of John the Baptist, the kingdom of heaven has been under attack. And violent people are taking hold of it. 13All the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John came. 14If you are willing to accept it, John is the Elijah who was supposed to come. 15Whoever has ears should listen.
16“What can I compare today’s people to? They are like children sitting in the markets and calling out to others. They say,
17“ ‘We played the flute for you.
But you didn’t dance.
We sang a funeral song.
But you didn’t become sad.’
18When John came, he didn’t eat or drink as you do. And people say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19But when the Son of Man came, he ate and drank as you do. And people say, ‘This fellow is always eating and drinking far too much. He’s a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.” ’ By wise actions wisdom is shown to be right.”
Towns That Do Not Turn Away From Sin
20Jesus began to speak against the towns where he had done most of his miracles. The people there had not turned away from their sins. So he said, 21“How terrible it will be for you, Chorazin! How terrible for you, Bethsaida! Suppose the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon. They would have turned away from their sins long ago. They would have put on clothes for mourning. They would have sat down in ashes. 22But I tell you this. On judgment day it will be easier for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23And what about you, Capernaum? Will you be lifted to the heavens? No! You will go down to the place of the dead. Suppose the miracles done in you had been done in Sodom. It would still be here today. 24But I tell you this. On judgment day it will be easier for Sodom than for you.”
Rest for All Who Are Tired
25At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father. You are Lord of heaven and earth. You have hidden these things from wise and educated people. But you have shown them to little children. 26Yes, Father. This is what you wanted to do.
27“My Father has given all things to me. The Father is the only one who knows the Son. And the only ones who know the Father are the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to make him known.
28“Come to me, all you who are tired and are carrying heavy loads. I will give you rest. 29Become my servants and learn from me. I am gentle and free of pride. You will find rest for your souls. 30Serving me is easy, and my load is light.”
Yesu Na Yohana Mbatizaji
(Luka 7:18-35)
111:1 Mt 7:28; 26:1Baada ya Yesu kumaliza kutoa maagizo kwa wanafunzi wake kumi na wawili, aliondoka hapo akaenda kufundisha na kuhubiri katika miji yao.
211:2 Mt 14:3Yohana aliposikia akiwa gerezani mambo ambayo Kristo11:2 Kristo maana yake ni Masiya, yaani Aliyetiwa mafuta. alikuwa akiyafanya, aliwatuma wanafunzi wake 311:3 Za 118:26; Ebr 10:37ili wakamuulize, “Wewe ndiye yule aliyekuwa aje, au tumngojee mwingine?”
4Yesu akajibu, “Rudini mkamwambie Yohana yale mnayosikia na kuyaona: 511:5 Lk 4:18-19; Isa 61:1-2Vipofu wanapata kuona, viwete wanatembea, wenye ukoma wanatakaswa, viziwi wanasikia, wafu wanafufuliwa, na maskini wanahubiriwa habari njema. 611:6 Mt 13:21; 26:31Amebarikiwa mtu yule asiyechukizwa na mimi.”
711:7 Mt 3:1-5Wale wanafunzi wa Yohana walipokuwa wanaondoka, Yesu akaanza kusema na makutano kuhusu Yohana Mbatizaji. Akawauliza, “Mlipokwenda kule nyikani, mlikwenda kuona nini? Je, ni unyasi ukipeperushwa na upepo? 8Kama sivyo, mlikwenda kuona nini basi? Mtu aliyevaa mavazi ya kifahari? La hasha, watu wanaovaa mavazi ya kifahari wako katika majumba ya wafalme. 911:9 Lk 1:76; 7:26Basi mlikwenda kuona nini? Mlikwenda kumwona nabii? Naam, nawaambia, yeye ni zaidi ya nabii. 1011:10 Mal 3:1; Lk 7:27Huyu ndiye ambaye habari zake zimeandikwa:
“ ‘Tazama nitamtuma mjumbe wangu mbele yako,
atakayetengeneza njia mbele yako.’
1111:11 Mt 13:17Amin, nawaambia, miongoni mwa wale waliozaliwa na wanawake, hajatokea mtu aliye mkuu kuliko Yohana Mbatizaji. Lakini aliye mdogo kabisa katika Ufalme wa Mbinguni ni mkuu kuliko Yohana. 1211:12 Lk 16:16; 13:24Tangu siku za Yohana Mbatizaji hadi sasa, Ufalme wa Mbinguni hupatikana kwa nguvu, nao wenye nguvu wanauteka. 1311:13 Lk 16:16Kwa maana manabii wote na Sheria walitabiri mpaka wakati wa Yohana. 1411:14 Mal 4:5; Yn 1:21Ikiwa mko tayari kukubali hilo, yeye ndiye yule Eliya ambaye manabii walikuwa wamesema angekuja. 1511:15 Lk 14:35; Ufu 2:7Yeye aliye na masikio, na asikie.
1611:16 Lk 7:31“Lakini kizazi hiki nikifananishe na nini? Kinafanana na watoto waliokaa sokoni wakiwaita wenzao na kuwaambia,
1711:17 Mit 29:9“ ‘Tuliwapigia filimbi,
lakini hamkucheza;
tuliwaimbia nyimbo za maombolezo,
lakini hamkuomboleza.’
1811:18 Mt 3:4; Lk 1:15Kwa maana Yohana Mbatizaji alikuja, alikuwa hali wala hanywi, nao wanasema, ‘Yeye ana pepo mchafu.’ 1911:19 Mt 9:11Mwana wa Adamu alikuja akila na kunywa, nao wanasema, ‘Tazameni huyu mlafi na mlevi, rafiki wa watoza ushuru na “wenye dhambi.” ’ Lakini hekima huthibitishwa kuwa kweli kwa matendo yake.”
Onyo Kwa Miji Isiyotubu
(Luka 10:13-15)
2011:20 Lk 10:11Ndipo Yesu akaanza kushutumu miji ambamo alifanya miujiza yake mingi kuliko kwingine, kwa maana watu wake hawakutubu. 2111:21 Mk 8:22; Yn 1:44; Yoe 3:4; Mk 3:8; Yn 3:5-9“Ole wako, Korazini! Ole wako Bethsaida! Kwa maana kama miujiza iliyofanyika kwenu, ingefanyika Tiro na Sidoni, miji hiyo ingekuwa imetubu zamani kwa kuvaa magunia na kujipaka majivu. 2211:22 Mt 11:24; 10:15Lakini nawaambia, itakuwa rahisi zaidi kwa Tiro na Sidoni kustahimili katika siku ya hukumu, kuliko ninyi. 2311:23 Mt 4:13; Isa 14:13-15Nawe Kapernaumu, je, utainuliwa hadi mbinguni? La hasha, utashushwa mpaka kuzimu.11:23 Kuzimu ni Mahali pa wafu. Miujiza iliyofanyika kwako ingefanyika huko Sodoma, mji huo ungalikuwepo hadi leo. 2411:24 Mt 10:15Lakini nakuambia kwamba, itakuwa rahisi zaidi kwa Sodoma kustahimili katika siku ya hukumu kuliko wewe.”
Hakuna Amjuaye Baba Ila Mwana
(Luka 10:21-22)
2511:25 Lk 23:34; Yn 12:27-28; Mt 13:11; 1Kor 1:26-29Wakati huo Yesu alisema, “Nakuhimidi Baba, Bwana wa mbingu na nchi, kwa kuwa umewaficha mambo haya wenye hekima na wenye elimu, nawe ukawafunulia watoto wadogo. 26Naam, Baba, kwa kuwa hivyo ndivyo ilivyokupendeza.
2711:27 Mt 28:18; Yn 3:35; 10:15; 17:25-26“Nimekabidhiwa vitu vyote na Baba yangu: Hakuna mtu amjuaye Mwana ila Baba, wala hakuna amjuaye Baba ila Mwana na yeyote ambaye Mwana anapenda kumfunulia.
Yesu Awaita Waliolemewa Na Mizigo
2811:28 Yn 7:37“Njooni kwangu, ninyi nyote mnaotaabika na kulemewa na mizigo, nami nitawapumzisha. 2911:29 Flp 2:5; 1Yn 2:6; Za 116:7; Yer 6:16Jifungeni nira yangu, mjifunze kutoka kwangu, kwa maana mimi ni mpole na mnyenyekevu wa moyo, nanyi mtapata raha nafsini mwenu. 3011:30 1Yn 5:3Kwa maana nira yangu ni laini na mzigo wangu ni mwepesi.”
