Matthew 11:2-11

Good News Translation

² When John the Baptist heard in prison about the things that Christ was doing, he sent some of his disciples to him. ³ “Tell us,” they asked Jesus, “are you the one John said was going to come, or should we expect someone else?”

⁴ Jesus answered, “Go back and tell John what you are hearing and seeing: ^5 (A)the blind can see, the lame can walk, those who suffer from dreaded skin diseases are made clean,^[a] the deaf hear, the dead are brought back to life, and the Good News is preached to the poor. ⁶ How happy are those who have no doubts about me!”

⁷ While John's disciples were leaving, Jesus spoke about him to the crowds: “When you went out to John in the desert, what did you expect to see? A blade of grass bending in the wind? ⁸ What did you go out to see? A man dressed up in fancy clothes? People who dress like that live in palaces! ⁹ Tell me, what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes indeed, but you saw much more than a prophet. ^10 (B)For John is the one of whom the scripture says: ‘God said, I will send my messenger ahead of you to open the way for you.’ ¹¹ I assure you that John the Baptist is greater than anyone who has ever lived. But the one who is least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than John.