Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
What does Matthew 11:28 mean?
It becomes children to be grateful.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Matthew 11:28-30 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Matthew 11:28
All ye that labour and are heavy laden - The Saviour here, perhaps, refers primarily to the Jews, who groaned under the weight of their ceremonial laws and the traditions of the elders, Acts 15:10 . He tells them that by coming to him, and embracing the new system of religion, they would be freed from these burdensome rites and ceremonies. There can be no doubt, however, that he meant here chiefly to address the poor, lost, ruined sinner: the man "burdened" with a consciousness of his transgressions, trembling at his danger, and seeking deliverance. For such there is relief. Christ tells them to come to him, to believe in him, and to trust him, and him only, for salvation.
Context in Matthew 11
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Matthew 11 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as ministry and teaching blocks. Matthew presents Jesus as Davidic Messiah, new Moses, teacher of the kingdom, suffering Son of Man, and risen Lord who commissions the nations. Read this chapter with the wider themes of fulfillment, kingdom of heaven, and discipleship in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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Bible verses about rest and weariness
Passages on exhaustion, sabbath, quietness, and the invitation to find rest in God rather than in mere withdrawal alone.
Passages that speak to despair, low spirits, darkness of soul, and the way Scripture addresses emotional suffering without dismissing it.
Passages on peace with God, peace in the heart, peace in community, and the biblical difference between true peace and false reassurance.
Who quoted Matthew 11:28?
Find out who used Matthew 11:28 in their speeches and writings. Which famous people quoted Matthew 11:28?
Quotes found on Wikiquote (match for «come unto me all ye that labour»):