⁴⁵ But he went out and began to ^(A)proclaim it ^[a]freely and to ^(B)spread the news around, to such an extent that ^[b]Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but ^[c]stayed out in unpopulated areas; and ^(C)they were coming to Him from everywhere.

²⁰ When the men came to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, ^[a]to ask, ‘Are You the Coming One, or are we to ^[b]look for another?’”

²² And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: people who were ^(A)blind receive sight, people who limped walk, people with leprosy are cleansed and people who were deaf hear, dead people are raised up, and ^(B)people who are poor have the gospel preached to them.

²⁴ When the messengers of John had left, He began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the ^[a]wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? ^25 [b]But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who are splendidly clothed and live in luxury are found in royal palaces! ²⁶ But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. ²⁷ This is the one about whom it is written:

²⁸ I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is ^[d]least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

⁴ so that you may know the exact truth about the ^[a]things you have been ^[b](A)taught.