Jesus Praises John the Baptist

⁷ As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind?^(A)

⁶ But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.^(A)

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

¹⁴ We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming;^(A)

²⁴ When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus^[a] began to speak to the crowds about John:^[b] “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? ²⁵ What, then, did you go out to see? Someone^[c] dressed in soft robes? Look, those who put on fine clothing and live in luxury are in royal palaces. ²⁶ What, then, did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ²⁷ This is the one about whom it is written,

²⁸ “I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John, yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” ²⁹ (And all the people who heard this, including the tax collectors, acknowledged the justice of God,^[d] having been baptized with John’s baptism.^{(A) 30} But the Pharisees and the experts in the law, not having been baptized by him, rejected God’s purpose for themselves.)^(B)

⁴ so John the baptizer appeared^[a] in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.^{(B) 5} And the whole Judean region and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him and were baptized by him in the River Jordan, confessing their sins.

¹⁷ Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to ordinary human standards,^[a] ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? ¹⁸ As surely as God is faithful, our word to you is not^[b] “Yes and No.”

¹⁸ So pay attention to how you listen, for to those who have, more will be given, and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away.”^(A)