Matthew 11:29

 

Matthew 11:29
(KJV) 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.

(NIV) 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.
(ESV) Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
(HCSB) All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves.
(NASB) "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.
(NKJV) Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
(RSV) Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
(NAB-Roman Catholic) Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves.
(NWT) Take my yoke upon YOU and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and YOU will find refreshment for YOUR souls.

Textus Receptus
arate ton zugon mou ej umaV kai maqete ap emou oti praoV eimi kai tapeinoV th kardia kai eurhsete anapausin taiV yucaiV umwn

Hort-Westcott
arate ton zugon mou ej umaV kai maqete ap emou oti prauV eimi kai tapeinoV th kardia kai eurhsete anapausin taiV yucaiV umwn

Affected Teachings
Today’s exposé concerns a single word switch which has a dramatic effect upon the meaning of this verse. In the four translations below, you will see the same rendering as we have in the King James Version. The Tyndale Bible which was printed in 1384 predates the King James Bible by 227 years. The Centenary version which was published in 1924, 313 years after the King James, states the same as the King James Bible. In fact, the Revised Version of 1881 and the American Standard Version of 1901 use the phrase “learn of me” instead of “learn from me.” For 540 years of English language translations, the true Scriptures read “learn of me.”

Tyndale Bible 1384 - Take my yoke on you and lerne of me for I am meke and lowly in herte: and ye shall fynd rest vnto youre soules.

Geneva Bible 1560 - Take my yoke on you, and learne of me that I am meeke and lowly in heart: and ye shall finde rest vnto your soules.

Matthews Bible 1537 - Take my yoke on you, and learn of me; that I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Centenary Translation 1924 - Take my yoke on you and learn of me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you shall find refreshment for your souls.

The Greek word in question is “ap” which may be translated “from” or “of.” So then what is the problem if the word can be legitimately translated “from?” If you notice that in the Bibles leading up to and including the King James Bible plus the false versions of the RV, ASV, and Centenary they are telling us that we are to learn “of” the Lord Jesus. The modern versions, probably from the RSV on, are telling us to learn “from” the Lord Jesus.

The problem is that you can learn from anyone including atheists, religious unbelievers, questionable radio and TV preachers, etc. In today’s society there is a plethora of people with opinions ready to disseminate them. However, when we hear those opinions and set out to “learn of them,” we will uncover facts about them which will cause us to separate ourselves from them. If someone listens to Robert Schuller, his message may sound good but when we investigate him further, we would find that he is mostly psychology and New Age based which are both antithetical to true Christianity. Hence, the difference about learning “from” and learning “of.”

Now enter the Lord Jesus Christ. When we look at the four Gospels we read much teachings and acts of compassion on His part. However, when we investigate Him or learn of Him, we find that He is God, He is our Savior, He is our Redeemer, He is our Friend, He is the Great I Am of Sinai, The Son of God, The Way, The Truth, The Life, The Narrow Way, the Head of the Church, etc. This is what the modern theologian fears that Christians will study the Lord Jesus and find that He is the only way to Heaven. Many modern theologians believe there is more than one way to Heaven, especially by adding works to Grace. So if one learns “from” the Lord Jesus Christ, then they will emulate the good works that He did. Good works are at the source of salvation plans for many different denominations and world religions. Pure Grace is hated by the modernist for they feel they must add something to ensure their salvation but the problem is that many believe that they have no assurance of salvation, even with their own works included.

This word switch is a very subtle way of bringing the Lord Jesus down from Deity to the human position of just a teacher, where the New Age places Him. Even the unbelievers and the New Age crowd give credence to the good works and teachings of Jesus. It is when we study Jesus and find that He is God, then the road splits and the Gnostics, New Agers, and unbelievers reject Him. This is why this word change is important to unbelievers because good works are part of the equation of a man-based salvation plan while pure Grace is of the Heavenly based salvation plan. A very big difference! Those of us who are saved can learn from Jesus but not without knowing “of Jesus.”

(Jer 24:7 KJV) And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.

(Jer 9:24 KJV) But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

Notice these two verses from Jeremiah are stating that the Lord is going to give a heart to His people that they may “know Him.” Notice it does not say that they will know about Him or from Him, but that we will know Him. That lines up perfectly with the believer learning “of Him” rather than learning “from Him.” Notice Jeremiah 9:24, it states that we will know that He IS the LORD. What a big difference one word makes and how it changes the whole complexion of the verse. Stay with the King James and you won’t get snookered!