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

⁶ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”^(A)

³⁵ He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.^(A)

²⁶ They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing, and all are going to him.”^{(A) 27} John answered, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven.^{(B) 28} You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah,^[a] but I have been sent ahead of him.’^{(C) 29} He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom who stands and hears him rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled.^{(D) 30} He must increase, but I must decrease.”^[b]

¹⁶ “The Law and the Prophets were until John came; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is being proclaimed, and everyone tries to enter it by force.^[a](A)

⁹ What, then, did you go out to see? A prophet?^[a] Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.^{(A) 10} This is the one about whom it is written,

¹¹ “Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist, yet the 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 suffered violence,^[b] and violent people take it by force.^{(C) 13} For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John came, ¹⁴ and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.^(D)