Jesus Testifies about John

(Malachi 3:1–5, Matthew 11:7–19)

24 After John’s messengers had left, [Jesus] began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in [the] wind? 25 Otherwise, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Look, those who [wear] elegant clothing and live in luxury are found in palaces.

26 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

27 This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You who will prepare Your way before You.’[fn]

28 I tell you, among [those] born of women there is no one greater than John, yet even the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

29 All the people [who] heard [this], even the tax collectors, acknowledged God’s justice [For] they had received the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, [because] {they had} not been baptized by [John].

31 “To what, then, can I compare the men of this generation? What are they like?

32 They are like children sitting in [the] marketplace and calling out to one another ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’

33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’ 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look [at this] glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”