Jesus’ Tribute to John

⁷ As these disciples of John were going away, Jesus began speaking to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into ^(A)the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? ^8 [a]But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ ^[b]palaces! ^9 [c]But what did you go out to see? ^(B)A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. ¹⁰ This is the one about whom it ^[d]is written:

¹¹ Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ¹² And ^(D)from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been treated violently, and violent men take it by force. ¹³ For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. ¹⁴ And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is ^(E)Elijah who ^[f]was to come.

¹⁰ And His disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that ^(A)Elijah must come first?” ¹¹ And He answered and said, “Elijah is coming and will restore all things;

²² Moses said, ‘^(A)The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your countrymen; to Him you shall listen regarding everything He says to you. ^23 (B)And it shall be that every ^(C)soul that does not listen to that prophet ^(D)shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’