Meaning, commentary and cross references
Matthew 11:29
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
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.
NIV · New International Version
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.
WEB · World English Bible
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.
What does Matthew 11:29 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you,.... The phrase is Rabbinical. The Jewish doctors often speak (a) of , "the yoke of the kingdom of heaven", and of persons taking it upon them; and which they exhort to, and express in much such language as here (b); , "take upon you the yoke of the holy kingdom", every day. They distinguish this from the yoke of the law, and say (c).
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Matthew 11:25–30
Take my yoke upon you. This must go along with the former, for Christ is exalted to be both a Prince and a Saviour, a Priest upon his throne. The rest he promises is a release from the drudgery of sin, not from the service of God, but an obligation to the duty we owe to him. Note, Christ has a yoke for our necks, as well as a crown for our heads, and this yoke he expects we should take upon us and draw in.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Matthew 11:25–30
29. Take my yoke upon you. Many persons, we perceive, abuse the grace of Christ by turning it into an indulgence of the flesh; and therefore Christ, after promising joyful rest to wretchedly distressed consciences, reminds them, at the same time, that he is their Deliverer on condition of their submitting to his yoke. He does not, he tells us, absolve men from their sins in such a manner, that, restored to the favor of God, they may sin with greater freedom, but that, raised up by his grace, they may also take his yoke upon them, and that, being free in spirit, they may restrain the licentiousness of their flesh.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Matthew 11:26–30 (WEB)
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 labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Cross references
- Jeremiah 6:16
The LORD says, “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, ‘Where is the good way?’ and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
- 1 John 2:6
he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked.
- Philippians 2:7–8
but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.
- John 13:15
For I have given you an example, that you should also do as I have done to you.
- Luke 6:46–48
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things which I say?
- Matthew 7:24
“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
- 1 Peter 2:21–23
For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps,
- John 15:10–14
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.