11 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he moved on from there to teach and preach in their towns.

John the Baptist and Christ

² While John was in prison, he heard about the things Christ was doing. He sent two of his disciples ³ to ask him, “Are you the Coming One or should we wait for someone else?”

⁴ Jesus answered them, “Go, report to John what you hear and see: ⁵ The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the gospel is preached to the poor. ⁶ Blessed is the one who does not take offense at me.”

⁷ As these two were leaving, Jesus began to talk to the crowds about John. “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? ⁸ What did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? No, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. ⁹ So what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you! And he is much more than a prophet. ¹⁰ This is the one about whom it is written, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’^{[a] 11} Amen I tell you: Among those born of women there has not appeared 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 advancing forcefully^[b] and forceful people are seizing it. ¹³ In fact, all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. ¹⁴ If you are willing to receive it, he is the Elijah who was to come. ¹⁵ Whoever has ears to hear,^[c] let him hear.

¹⁶ “To what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces who call to others, ¹⁷ ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a dirge, but you did not mourn.’ ¹⁸ John did not come eating or drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ ¹⁹ But the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘See, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her actions.”