(A)Now while in prison, (B)John heard about the works of Christ, and he sent word by his disciples, and said to Him, “Are You (C)the Coming One, or are we to [a]look for someone else?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: (D)those who are blind receive sight and those who limp walk, those with leprosy are cleansed and those who are deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the (E)poor have the [b]gospel preached to them. And blessed is [c]any person who (F)does not [d]take offense at Me.”

Jesus’ Tribute to John

As these disciples of John were going away, Jesus began speaking to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into (G)the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? [e]But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ [f]palaces! [g]But what did you go out to see? (H)A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it [h]is written:

(I)Behold, I am sending My messenger [i]ahead of You,
Who will prepare Your way before You.’

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 least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 And (J)from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been treated violently, and violent men 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 (K)Elijah who [j]was to come. 15 (L)The one who has ears to hear, [k]let him hear.

16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call out to the other children, 17 and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a song of mourning, and you did not [l]mourn.’ 18 For John came neither (M)eating nor (N)drinking, and they say, ‘(O)He has a demon!’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a [m]heavy drinker, (P)a friend of tax collectors and [n]sinners!’ And yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 11:3 Or wait for
  2. Matthew 11:5 Or good news
  3. Matthew 11:6 Lit whoever
  4. Matthew 11:6 Or stumble over Me
  5. Matthew 11:8 Or Well then,
  6. Matthew 11:8 Lit houses
  7. Matthew 11:9 Or Well then,
  8. Matthew 11:10 Lit has been written
  9. Matthew 11:10 Lit before Your face
  10. Matthew 11:14 Or is going to come
  11. Matthew 11:15 Or hear! Or listen!
  12. Matthew 11:17 Lit beat the breast
  13. Matthew 11:19 Or wine drinker
  14. Matthew 11:19 I.e., irreligious Jews

When John,(A) who was in prison,(B) heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come,(C) or should we expect someone else?”

Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[a] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.(D) Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”(E)

As John’s(F) disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness(G) to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet?(H) Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,(I)
    who will prepare your way before you.’[b](J)

11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is 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 been subjected to violence,[c] and violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.(K) 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.(L) 15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.(M)

16 “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:

17 “‘We played the pipe for you,
    and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
    and you did not mourn.’

18 For John came neither eating(N) nor drinking,(O) and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’(P) But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 11:5 The Greek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin.
  2. Matthew 11:10 Mal. 3:1
  3. Matthew 11:12 Or been forcefully advancing