John the Baptist Sends Messengers to Jesus^(A)

11 Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to ^(B)teach and to preach in their cities.

^2 (C)And when John had heard ^(D)in prison about the works of Christ, he ^[a]sent two of his disciples ³ and said to Him, “Are You ^(E)the Coming One, or do we look for another?”

⁴ Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: ^5 (F)The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and ^(G)the poor have the gospel preached to them. ⁶ And blessed is he who is not ^(H)offended because of Me.”

^7 (I)As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? ^(J)A reed shaken by the wind? ⁸ But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. ⁹ But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, ^(K)and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ For this is he of whom it is written:

¹¹ “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ^12 (M)And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. ^13 (N)For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. ¹⁴ And if you are willing to receive it, he is ^(O)Elijah who is to come. ^15 (P)He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

^16 (Q)“But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, ¹⁷ and saying:

¹⁸ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ ¹⁹ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a ^[c]winebibber, ^(R)a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ ^(S)But wisdom is justified by her ^[d]children.”