Matthew 11:28
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Matthew 11:28
What does Matthew 11:28 mean?
Jesus invites anyone who is weary or burdened to come to Him, promising rest. It's a personal invitation, not a general principle — rest is found specifically in coming to Jesus.
Context
This invitation follows a section where Jesus reflects on the response to His ministry, including rejection by some towns and praise to the Father for revealing truth 'unto babes' rather than the wise and learned (Matthew 11:20-27). Verse 28 shifts into a direct, warm invitation, and the following verses (29-30) describe the 'yoke' of following Jesus as easy and light by comparison to other burdens, especially the weight of religious legalism common in that era.
Key themes
Related Bible verses
Bible study
- What kinds of burdens do you think Jesus' original listeners were carrying?
- How does the 'yoke' image in verses 29-30 add to the meaning of 'rest' in verse 28?
- What would it look like for you to bring a specific burden to Jesus today?
Prayer
A short devotional prayer inspired by this verse — not scripture
Jesus, I come to You tired and burdened. Thank You for the invitation to rest. Teach me to walk with You in a way that is light, not heavy. Amen.
Memorize this verse
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
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Frequently asked questions
What does 'take my yoke upon you' mean in the following verse?
A yoke was a farming tool joining two animals to share a load. Jesus uses it as a metaphor for following His teaching and way of life, describing it as 'easy' and 'light' compared to other burdens (Matthew 11:29-30).
Who is this invitation for?
Jesus addresses it broadly — 'all ye that labour and are heavy laden' — not a specific group, making it a general, open invitation.