25At that very time, answering, Jesus said: "I fully consent to You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You did hide these things from the wise and learned and did reveal them to little children. [11:26] Yes, O Father — for thus it was well-pleasing before You. [11:27] All things were delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, nor does anyone know the Father except the Son and to whoever the Son shall choose to reveal Him. [11:28] Come to Me, all who are toiling and burdened, and I Myself will give rest to you. [11:29] Take the yoke of Mine upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [11:30] For the yoke of Mine is easy and the burden of Mine is light."
MAT 11:25-30
Rest for the Weary
In the world it was spoken into
In the first-century Mediterranean world, the language of Jesus’ proclamation would have resonated deeply with Jewish and Greco-Roman audiences. The invocation of 'Father, Lord of heaven and earth' reflects Jewish liturgical language, emphasizing God’s sovereignty and creation. The contrast between the 'wise and learned' and 'little children' subverts societal hierarchies, where wisdom and education were markers of status. Instead, Jesus elevates the humble and lowly , those without social or intellectual pretensions. The promise of rest would have been particularly poignant for laborers and the burdened, many of whom were peasants, artisans, or slaves enduring grueling work under Roman economic systems. The yoke metaphor draws from Jewish imagery of Torah as a yoke, but Jesus redefines it as something 'easy' and 'light,' contrasting with the heavy burdens imposed by religious or societal expectations. This invitation to rest would have been heard as both a spiritual and social liberation.
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How other translations render this
MAT 11:25
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
- Koinōnos
- At that very time, answering, Jesus said: "I fully consent to You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You did hide these things from the wise and learned and did reveal them to little children.
MAT 11:26
- KJV
- Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
- BSB
- Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight.
- Koinōnos
- Yes, O Father — for thus it was well-pleasing before You.
MAT 11:27
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.
- Koinōnos
- All things were delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, nor does anyone know the Father except the Son and to whoever the Son shall choose to reveal Him.
MAT 11:28
- KJV
- Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
- BSB
- Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
- Koinōnos
- Come to Me, all who are toiling and burdened, and I Myself will give rest to you.
MAT 11:29
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
- Koinōnos
- Take the yoke of Mine upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
MAT 11:30
- KJV
- For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
- BSB
- For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
- Koinōnos
- For the yoke of Mine is easy and the burden of Mine is light.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MAT 11:25
- I fully consent:The word translated 'I fully consent' carries a sense of open, public acknowledgment and agreement, often used in contexts of praise or confession.
- to little children.:The term used here for 'little children' refers to infants or very young children, emphasizing their complete dependence and lack of worldly wisdom.
MAT 11:28
- toiling:The word translated 'toiling' describes labor that is exhausting and burdensome, often to the point of weariness and fatigue.
MAT 11:29
- humble:The word translated 'humble' describes someone who is low in status, unpretentious, and not elevated, often implying a lack of worldly importance or power.