Messengers from John the Baptist

2 Now when John heard in prison about the works Christ had done, he sent [fn]two of his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are yoʋ the one who is to come, or should we wait for another?” 4 Jesus answered them, “Go tell John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are made clean and the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is anyone who does not take offense at me.”

7 As these men went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Behold, those who wear soft garments are in the palaces of kings. 9 But [fn]what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 [fn]For this is the one of whom it is written,

‘Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of yoʋ,

who will prepare yoʋr way before yoʋ.’

11 Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist, but whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been suffering violence, and the violent try to take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears [fn]to hear, let him hear.

16 “But to what should I compare this generation? It is like [fn]children sitting in the [fn]marketplaces and calling out to their companions,

17 ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance;

we sang a lament [fn]for you, but you did not mourn.’

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her [fn]children.”