Matthew 11:12 - Plain English Version

¹² You know, John started to teach some time ago, and from that time until now, God’s family has been getting bigger. There are people that really want to be friends with God, and they have been trying hard to get into his family.

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

¹² And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

¹² And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize–a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion].

American Standard Version (1901)

¹² And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and men of violence take it by force.

Common English Bible

¹² From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven is violently attacked as violent people seize it.

Catholic Public Domain Version

¹² But from the days of John the Baptist, even until now, the kingdom of heaven has endured violence, and the violent carry it away.

Matthew 11:12 Cross References

Matthew 11:11

Then Jesus said, “Listen. John the Baptiser is a very important man. He is greater than any other man that ever lived. But everyone in God’s family is more important than John the Baptiser.

Matthew 11:13

You see, before John came, God told his words and his laws to his men, and they wrote them in God’s book. And you know, that was a long time ago, but they wrote about the things that will happen now, at this time.

Matthew 3:15

But Jesus said, “We have to do it the way God wants. So now, while you are baptising people, you can baptise me too.” Then John agreed with him.

Luke 16:16

You know, God gave Moses the law for people to follow, and he sent his other men to tell people God’s messages. And God’s people had to follow those words, from the time of Moses until the time that John the Baptiser came. Then John told people about the new way. And I’m telling people about that new way too. I’m telling them how to join God’s family too, and now lots of people are trying hard to get into God’s family.

John 5:4

You see, those sick people wanted to get better, and they believed that sometimes one of God’s angel messengers came down and stirred the water in that pool. And they believed that after that, the first person to get into the water got better from any sickness they had.

John 6:27

Listen, that food, like you ate yesterday, it doesn’t last long. So don’t work for food like that. You have to work for food that gets you to live with God for ever. I am God’s special man from heaven, and I can give you that special food. And God, my father, told me to do that.”

Philippians 2:12

So, my good friends, you always have to do what God wants. I know that you did that when I was with you, and I reckon you still do it now that I’m not with you any more. So you have to work hard and keep on trying to do what God wants. You see, God saved you, so give him proper respect and try to live his way. You have to be too frightened to do any bad thing that will make him angry.