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 swaying in the wind?^{(A) 8} What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothes? Look, those who wear soft clothes are in kings’ palaces. ⁹ But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet.^{(B) 10} This is the one it is written about:

¹¹ “I assure you: Among those born of women no one greater than John the Baptist has appeared,^[c] but the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

John the Baptist’s Testimony

¹⁹ This is John’s testimony when the Jews from Jerusalem^(A) sent priests^(B) and Levites^(C) to ask him, “Who are you?”

²⁰ He did not refuse to answer, but he declared: “I am not the Messiah.”^(D)

²¹ “What then?” they asked him. “Are you Elijah?”^(E)

“I am not,” he said.

“Are you the Prophet?”^[a](F)

“No,” he answered.

²² “Who are you, then?” they asked. “We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What can you tell us about yourself?”

²³ He said, “I am a voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord^(G)[b]—just as Isaiah^(H) the prophet said.”