Matthew 11:6-16

6 "And blessed is he who ¹does not take offense at Me."

Jesus' Tribute to John

7 As these men were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, "What did you go out into ²the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

8 "But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings' palaces!

9 "But what did you go out to see? ³A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet.

10 "This is the one about whom it is written, '⁴BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.'

11 "Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

12 "⁵From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.

13 "For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John.

14 "And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is ⁶Elijah who was to come.

15 "⁷He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

16 "But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places, who call out to the other children,

Cross References

• 1. Matthew 5:29; Matthew 13:57; Matthew 24:10; Matthew 26:31; Mark 6:3; John 6:61; John 16:1
• 2. Matthew 3:1
• 3. Matthew 14:5; Matthew 21:26; Luke 1:76; Luke 20:6
• 4. Malachi 3:1; Mark 1:2
• 5. Luke 16:16
• 6. Malachi 4:5; Matthew 17:10-13; Mark 9:11-13; Luke 1:17; John 1:21
• 7. Revelation 13:9, 43">Matt Revelation 13:9, 43; Mark 4:9, 23; Luke 8:8; Luke 14:35; Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; Revelation 3:6, 13, 22; Revelation 13:9

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "whoever"
• [b] Or "stumble over Me"
• [c] Or "Well then,"
• [d] Lit "houses"
• [e] Or "Well then,"
• [f] Lit "has been written"
• [g] Lit "before your face"
• [h] Or "less"
• [i] Or "is forcibly entered"
• [j] Or "seize it for themselves"
• [k] Or "is going to come"
• [l] Or "hear!" Or "listen!"