Matthew 11:7-15

New American Standard Bible 1995

Jesus’ Tribute to John

⁷ As these men were going away, Jesus began to speak 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 ^[f]least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ^12 (D)From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven ^[g]suffers violence, and violent men ^[h]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 ^[i]was to come. ^15 (F)He who has ears to hear, ^[j]let him hear.