Matthew 11:29

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.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Jesus speaks to a crowd weary and burdened by religious or life demands, immediately following His invitation in Matthew 11:28. He addresses those seeking relief, positioning Himself as the direct source of their required rest.

The words — The imperative ἄρατε (arate) commands "do take," paired with ζυγὸν (zugon) meaning "yoke." The verb μάθετε (mathete) instructs the listener to "do learn," framing the yoke as a disciplined instrument of instruction rather than unguided labor.

The thread — The text's call to submit to a teaching authority runs parallel to Jeremiah 6:16's demand to seek the ancient paths and 1 John 2:6's command to walk as Jesus walked. Philippians 2:7 anchors this posture in Christ's voluntary assumption of a servant's form.

Why it lands — The passage commands the reader to assume a submitted posture of active learning under Christ's guidance. It requires the reader to exchange their current burdens for a structured discipleship that produces soul-rest.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

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.

Cross-references

Jeremiah 6:16 This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’
1 John 2:6 Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked.
Philippians 2:7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.
John 13:15 I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you.
Luke 6:46 Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but do not do what I say?
Matthew 7:24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
John 15:10 If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.
1 Peter 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps:
Matthew 28:20 and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Hebrews 5:9 And having been made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him