What does Matthew 11:28 mean?

Matthew 11:28 (KJV) reads: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." It sits in Matthew chapter 11, a piece of Gospel emphasising Jesus as promised Messiah and King from the New Testament, and is most often read as a verse about get well. The meaning sharpens when you read the verses immediately around it and notice how Matthew as a whole is arguing its case.

What is the context of Matthew 11:28 in Matthew?

Matthew 11:28 belongs to Matthew 11, which fits inside Matthew's wider message as Gospel emphasising Jesus as promised Messiah and King. Before applying the verse, read at least the paragraph it appears in so you can see who is speaking, who is being addressed, and what situation prompted the words.

Is Matthew 11:28 from the Old or New Testament?

Matthew 11:28 is from the New Testament — specifically the book of Matthew, chapter 11. That matters because New Testament verses are written after the resurrection and speak directly into the life of the church under the new covenant.

What translation of Matthew 11:28 is used here?

Every verse on Bible Sundays is quoted from the King James Version (KJV), the public-domain English translation first published in 1611. We use the KJV consistently so the wording you memorise on one page matches the wording on every other page of the site.

How can I memorise Matthew 11:28?

Read Matthew 11:28 aloud three times, write it out by hand once, then try to recite it from memory. Repeat morning and evening for a week. Pair it with the theme of get well so your mind has a natural retrieval cue. Reviewing on day 1, day 3, day 7 and day 30 locks it in for the long term.

How should I apply Matthew 11:28 today?

Identify one specific situation in the next 24 hours — a conversation, a decision, a fear, a temptation around get well — where Matthew 11:28 should change your response. Pray the verse back to God for that situation, then act on it. Application is what turns reading into obedience.

Get Well Card Verse

Matthew 11:28 for Get Well Cards

A free, printable, share-ready KJV card verse. Pick a theme, download as a high-resolution image, or copy the text for handwritten cards.

For Get Well

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28

King James Versionbiblesundays.com

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Why Matthew 11:28 works for get well cards

Rest for the weary body and spirit — Jesus's personal invitation.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Read Matthew 11 (KJV) →

How to use this get well card

Pick a theme above that matches the recipient's taste — botanical for weddings and showers, midnight for solemn occasions, kraft for rustic.
Download the PNG at 1200×1500 — Pinterest-optimized and high enough resolution for printing on standard 5×7 cardstock.
Send digitally via text, email, or social, or print and pair with a handwritten note inside.
Reference the chapter — readers often want to look up the surrounding context. Tap the link above to read Matthew 11 in the KJV.

More Get Well card verses

Jeremiah 30:17

"For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD."

Psalm 103:2-3

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases."

James 5:15

"And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up."

Psalm 41:3

"The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness."

Isaiah 53:5

"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

Exodus 15:26

"I am the LORD that healeth thee."

Psalm 147:3

"He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds."

3 John 1:2

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."

See all 12 get well card verses →