At that time, Jesus answered, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight. All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father, except the Son and he to whom the Son desires to reveal him.
“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:25-30, World English Bible Updated edition, which is in the public domain.
Which funeral services use it
- Catholic, US (Lectionary for Masses for the Dead): Matthew 11:25-30, as a Gospel (also for a baptized child).
- Catholic, England and Wales (Order of Christian Funerals): Matthew 11:25-30, as a Gospel (also for a child).
- Church of England (Common Worship funeral readings): Only verses 28-30 appear in the Church of England material, among prayers for use at home after the funeral..
Where it comes in the service
At a Catholic funeral Mass the Gospel is the last reading, proclaimed by the deacon or priest after the Gospel acclamation. It is not on the Church of England's funeral list.
At a Catholic Mass the reader uses the parish Lectionary, which is a different translation from the one printed here, and in the US its text may not be reproduced without permission. You may prefer to print only the reference and the reader in the running order, for example "Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30, read by Anne Hughes".
Add Matthew 11:25-30 to your booklet, typeset in full, with the order of service around it. You can see the whole booklet before paying anything.
Put Matthew 11:25-30 in my bookletAbout this translation
The words here are the World English Bible, a modern English translation whose translators dedicated it to the public domain, so it can be printed in a booklet in the US and the UK without permission or a fee. The King James Version is public domain in the US but is covered by Crown letters patent in the UK, which is why it is not used here. If your church prefers another translation, add it in step 5 with "Use your own words".
Funeral lists checked on September 28, 2026 against the USCCB, the Liturgy Office of England and Wales and the Church of England's Common Worship pages.