Matthew 11:30 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

NIV: For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

NASB: For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.'

CSB: For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

NLT: For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.'

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

NKJV: For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Jesus has made an invitation to those who will hear Him. He has said that He has the power to reveal the Father to whomever He chooses. Then He offered to all who are weighed down and weary the opportunity to be yoked to Him. They will find rest for their souls since His burden is light and His yoke is easy to carry. What Jesus asks of those who would do this is simply that they would make the commitment to Him (Matthew 11:28–29).

When Jesus said, earlier, that the path to life was narrow and difficult (Matthew 7:14), He was speaking of how the unbelieving world sees the Christian life. To them, it means giving up earthly pleasures and taking on things like persecution (John 16:33). In terms of salvation, however, what Christ offers is much "easier" than the impossible task of earning one's own salvation (Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16).

Based on the following verses in chapter 12, Jesus seems to be contrasting the requirements He will place on the Jewish people with the burdensome requirements placed on them by the Jewish religious leaders, especially the Pharisees (Matthew 23:4). The Pharisees will once again challenge Jesus for not obeying the extra requirements they have added to the law of Moses. Jesus will show them what they have missed.

Matthew 11:25–30 begins with Jesus' prayer of thanks to His Father for hiding the truth from those thought to be wise by the world's standards. Instead, the gospel has been revealed to those the unbelieving world dismisses as virtual children. Jesus declares that He and the Father know each other completely and that He can reveal the Father to anyone He chooses. He offers rest for the souls of all who are weighed down and weary if they will take on His yoke, saying that His burden is easy and light.

John the Baptist sends his disciples to ask if Jesus is really the Messiah. Jesus gives them a specific answer to use to reassure John and then upholds John to the crowds. John fulfills the prophecy about the one who would prepare the people for the Messiah. This generation, though, refused to hear John or Jesus, deciding John had a demon and Jesus was a glutton and drunkard. Jesus condemns the cities that refuse to repent and thanks the Father for revealing the truth to little children. He offers rest for those who are weary and burdened.

Matthew 11 follows Jesus' instructions to the apostles about taking His message and miracles to the towns of Israel with His own continued ministry of teaching (Matthew 10). Jesus answers a question from John the Baptist's followers, and upholds John's ministry. Jesus condemns several cities in Galilee for rejecting His teaching, despite obvious signs. He thanks His Father for hiding the truth from those who arrogantly think they are wise. He offers rest for those who will take His yoke. This leads to further confrontations with critics, recorded in chapter 12.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.