Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

¹⁸ And the disciples of John reported to him about all these things. ¹⁹ And John called to him two of his disciples and sent them to Jesus, saying, Are you he that was to come, or should we look for another?

²⁰ When the men came to Jesus, they said, John the Baptist sent us to you, saying, Are you he that was to come, or should we wait for another?

²¹ And at that same time, Jesus cured many people of their infirmities and diseases, and of evil spirits; and to many who were blind, he gave sight. ²² And Jesus answered and said to John’s disciples, Go your ways and tell John what things you have seen and heard – how the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead arise. To the poor, the glad tidings are preached; ²³ and happy is he who is not offended by me.

²⁴ When the messengers of John had departed, Jesus began to speak to the people about John. What did you go out into the wilderness to see? Did you go to see a reed shaken with the wind? ²⁵ But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, those who are gorgeously apparelled and live delicately are in kings’ courts. ²⁶ But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yea, I say to you, and more than a prophet. ²⁷ This is he of whom it is written: Behold, I send my messenger before your face, to prepare your way before you. ²⁸ For I say to you, among the children of women there is no greater prophet than John. Nevertheless, one who is less in the kingdom of God, is greater than he.

²⁹ And all the people who heard, and the publicans, justified God, and were baptized with the baptism of John. ³⁰ But the Pharisees and scribes rejected the counsel of God against themselves, and were not baptized by him.