1 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.[a]
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When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples
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to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
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Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:
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The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[b]are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.
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Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
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As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind?
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If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces.
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Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
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This is the one about whom it is written: “ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’[c]
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Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.