1 When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.
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1Now when John heard 2in prison about the deeds of 3the Christ, he sent word by 4his disciples
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and said to him, "Are you 5the one who is to come, or shall we 6look for another?"
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And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see:
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7the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers[a] are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and 8the poor have good news preached to them.
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And blessed is the one who 9is not offended by me."
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As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out 10into the wilderness to see? 11A reed shaken by the wind?
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What then did you go out to see? A man[b] dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.
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What then did you go out to see? 12A prophet?[c] Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
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This is he of whom it is written,13"'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.'
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Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
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14From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence,[d] and the violent take it by force.
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15For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John,
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and if you are willing to accept it, he is 16Elijah who is to come.
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"But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,
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"'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.'
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For John came 18neither eating 19nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'
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The Son of Man came 20eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, 21a friend of 22tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds."[f]