Matthew 11 30

Matthew 11:30 kjv

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

Matthew 11:30 nkjv

For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Matthew 11:30 niv

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

Matthew 11:30 esv

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

Matthew 11:30 nlt

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

Matthew 11 verses

Matthew 11 30 Meaning

Matthew 11:30 succinctly summarizes the compassionate nature of submission to Christ's teachings and authority. It declares that Jesus's "yoke"—a metaphor for His way of life, instruction, and governance—is beneficial, pleasant, and well-suited to humanity. His "burden"—representing the responsibilities and demands of discipleship—is not heavy or oppressive, but light and easy to carry, bringing rest to those who bear it in faith.

Matthew 11 30 Context

Matthew 11:30 concludes Jesus's gracious invitation to those who are "weary and burdened" (v. 28) and follows His promise to give them "rest" if they "take [His] yoke upon them and learn from [Him]" (v. 29). This invitation is set against the backdrop of significant spiritual and historical tension. Jesus has just pronounced woes on the unrepentant cities (vv. 20-24) and, moments before this, offered a profound prayer of thanksgiving to the Father (vv. 25-27) revealing that the mysteries of the Kingdom are revealed not to the wise and learned, but to "little children."

Culturally and historically, "yoke" (ζυγός) was a common metaphor in Jewish teaching, frequently referring to the Torah, or the Law. Scholars often spoke of taking upon oneself "the yoke of the Law" or "the yoke of the Kingdom of Heaven." However, the religious leaders of the day, particularly the scribes and Pharisees, had added countless traditions and interpretations to the Mosaic Law, making it an incredibly oppressive and difficult burden for the common people to bear, as explicitly noted in Matt 23:4. Jesus's invitation stands in stark contrast to this prevailing system, offering not a new set of restrictive rules, but a personal relationship and a transforming way of life that paradoxically leads to freedom and rest, rather than deeper entanglement. His polemic is against religious systems that impose human-made burdens.

Matthew 11 30 Word Analysis

• For (γὰρ - gar): This conjunction serves to introduce a reason or explanation, linking the preceding verse (Matthew 11:29) where Jesus invites people to take His yoke and learn from Him. It justifies why His yoke should be taken – because of its nature.

• My (μου - mou): The possessive pronoun emphasizes personal ownership. This is Jesus's yoke and burden, distinct from any other philosophical or religious system. It highlights His unique authority and teaching.

• yoke (ζυγός - zygos):

  • Original Language: From Greek zygos, meaning a literal wooden bar connecting two oxen for plowing, or a set of scales, implying balance.
  • Metaphorical Use: In ancient times, and particularly in Jewish literature, "yoke" was a common metaphor for submission to authority, a system of teaching, discipline, or servitude. People took on "the yoke of the Torah" or "the yoke of the commandments."
  • Significance: Jesus presents Himself as a new Master and His teachings as a new way of life. Unlike the burdensome yokes of human tradition or legalistic interpretations of the Law (Acts 15:10, Matt 23:4), Jesus's yoke is characterized by graciousness and humility (Matt 11:29). It implies alignment with Him, walking in partnership, and learning His ways. It is a shared task, where Jesus bears the heavier load.

• is easy (χρηστὸς - chrēstos):

  • Original Language: The Greek chrēstos carries a deeper meaning than simply "not difficult." It means good, kind, pleasant, gracious, useful, beneficial, well-fitting, or morally excellent. It's the opposite of harsh or grievous.
  • Significance: This describes the quality of Jesus's yoke. It is not an unchallenging path in terms of exertion, but rather a good, gentle, and perfectly suited one. It's a yoke that helps, supports, and guides, leading to well-being and rest, rather than friction and exhaustion. This goodness reflects the character of Christ Himself (1 Pet 2:3).

• and (καὶ - kai): A simple conjunction connecting the two aspects of His spiritual leadership.

• my (μου - mou): Again, emphasizing the unique nature of Jesus's offer.

• burden (φορτίον - phortion):

  • Original Language: From Greek phortion, referring to a load or freight carried. It can denote personal responsibility (Gal 6:5) or simply something one must bear.
  • Significance: This signifies the responsibilities, duties, and challenges that come with following Christ. Every system of life, including one that seeks spiritual alignment, entails obligations. Jesus acknowledges these. Unlike a baros (Matt 23:4) which implies a crushing weight, phortion can simply be a load, here, made easy.

• is light (ἐλαφρόν - elaphron):

  • Original Language: From Greek elaphron, meaning light in weight, easy to bear, nimble.
  • Significance: In direct contrast to the heavy burdens imposed by others (Matt 23:4), Jesus’s requirements are described as physically or metaphorically light. This lightness is not due to a lack of substance in His teachings, but rather because of the empowerment and presence of Christ, who carries the disciple alongside them. His commandments are not burdensome because they flow from love (1 John 5:3) and are enabled by His Spirit.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "My yoke is easy": This phrase establishes Jesus's authority and distinctive path. It directly challenges the prevailing understanding of religious devotion as a heavy load, suggesting that true spiritual guidance is beneficial and gentle. The "easy" (chrēstos) yoke suggests that aligning with Christ is not merely bearable, but actively good and suitable, a kind partnership rather than a harsh imposition.
  • "My burden is light": This complements the "easy yoke" by affirming that the responsibilities of discipleship under Jesus are not overwhelming. This "lightness" is a consequence of several factors: the Holy Spirit's empowerment, the clarity and simplicity of Jesus's core command (love God and neighbor), and Christ Himself sharing the load. It speaks to freedom from legalistic guilt and the joy of obedient faith.

Matthew 11 30 Bonus Section

The imagery of a well-fitted yoke would have been familiar to agricultural societies. An ill-fitting yoke chafed the oxen and reduced their efficiency; a good one, however, allowed for effective and sustainable labor. Jesus is communicating that His spiritual "yoke" is perfectly designed for human nature, providing freedom and strength. The "chrēstos" quality of the yoke hints at an internal goodness, meaning it is pleasant not because there is no challenge, but because its ultimate outcome and guiding principles (love, humility, grace) lead to the highest human flourishing and true spiritual rest, far beyond what any other system can offer. It implies that true obedience to Christ results in positive experiences of joy and peace.

Matthew 11 30 Commentary

Matthew 11:30 serves as the culmination of Jesus’s unparalleled invitation for true spiritual rest. The "yoke" represents submission to Jesus's kingship and teaching. Unlike the stifling and cumbersome "yoke of the Law" as interpreted and amplified by human traditions, Jesus offers a "chrēstos" (good, beneficial, gentle, well-fitting) yoke. This means that His teachings, the way of life He exemplifies and calls us to, is intrinsically good for humanity, designed not to break us but to enable us to live harmoniously with God and each other. It’s a yoke that trains us, helps us bear burdens, and ultimately provides liberation, not further enslavement.

Simultaneously, the "burden" represents the responsibilities and demands inherent in following Christ – dying to self, taking up one’s cross, serving others. Yet, Jesus proclaims this burden to be "light" (elaphron). This lightness does not imply absence of effort or sacrifice, but rather that these demands are never grievous or oppressive when undertaken with and in Christ. His burden is light because He helps carry it; it's empowered by His Spirit, motivated by love, and yields spiritual peace rather than despair. Discipleship under Jesus promises an ultimate lightness that stands in stark contrast to the oppressive weights of sin, legalism, and the world's ways.