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18 The disciples of John told him about all these things. 19 John, calling to himself two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for another?” 20 When the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptizer has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?’”

21 In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and to many who were blind he gave sight. 22 Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you have seen and heard: that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 23 Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.”

24 When John’s messengers had departed, he began to tell the multitudes about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are gorgeously dressed, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet. 27 This is he of whom it is written,

‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
    who will prepare your way before you.’Malachi 3:1

28 “For I tell you, among those who are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptizer, yet he who is least in God’s Kingdom is greater than he.”

29 When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they declared God to be just, having been baptized with John’s baptism. 30 But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the counsel of God, not being baptized by him themselves.

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John the Baptist Sends Messengers to Jesus(A)

18 John’s disciples told him about all these things. So John called two of his disciples 19 and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the Coming One, or should we wait for someone else?”

20 When the men had come to Jesus,[a] they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the Coming One, or should we wait for someone else?’”

21 At that time Jesus[b] had healed many people of diseases, plagues, and evil spirits, and had given sight to many who were blind. 22 So he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have observed and heard: the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear again, the dead are raised, and the destitute hear the good news. 23 How blessed is anyone who is not offended by me!”

24 When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus[c] began to ask the crowds about John. “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25 Really, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fancy clothes? Look! Those who wear fine clothes and live in luxury are in royal palaces. 26 Really, what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and even more than a prophet! 27 This is the man about whom it is written,

‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way before you.’[d]

28 I tell you, no one has ever been born who is[e] greater than John. Yet even the least important person in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

29 By having been baptized with John’s baptism, all the people who listened, including the tax collectors, acknowledged God’s justice.[f] 30 But the Pharisees and the experts in the Law rejected God’s plan for themselves[g] by refusing to be baptized by John.[h]

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 7:20 Lit. him
  2. Luke 7:21 Lit. he
  3. Luke 7:24 Lit. he
  4. Luke 7:27 Cf. Mal 3:1; Exod 23:20
  5. Luke 7:28 Lit. one among those born of women have been
  6. Luke 7:29 Or judgment
  7. Luke 7:30 Or God’s decision in their case
  8. Luke 7:30 Lit. him