Matthew 11:2-19

Luke 7:18-35

2Now when John heard in prison about the works Christ had done, he sent two of his disciples 3to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we wait for another?”

18John's disciples told him about all these things. 19So John called two of his disciples and sent them to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we wait for another?” 20When the men came to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we wait for another?’ ” 21Now in that very hour Jesus had healed many people of diseases, afflictions, and evil spirits, and had given sight to many who were blind.

4Jesus answered them, “Go tell John what you hear and see: 5The blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are made clean and the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the poor have good news preached to them. 6And blessed is anyone who does not take offense at me.” 7As these men went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8What then did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Behold, those who wear soft garments are in the palaces of kings. 9But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10For this is the one of whom it is written,‘Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,who will prepare your way before you.’ 11Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist, but whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been suffering violence, and the violent take it by force. 13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

22So Jesus replied to John's disciples, “Go tell John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news preached to them. 23And blessed is anyone who does not take offense at me.” 24When John's messengers had gone away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25What then did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and who live in luxury are in royal palaces. 26But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27This is the one of whom it is written,‘Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,who will prepare your way before you.’ 28For I tell you, among those born of women there is no prophet greater than John the Baptist, but whoever is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

29(When all the people heard this, including the tax collectors, they acknowledged the justice of God, because they had been baptized with the baptism of John. 30But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)

16“But to what should I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to their companions, 17‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance;we sang a lament for you, but you did not mourn.’ 18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her children.”

31“To what then should I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? 32They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call out to one another,‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance;we sang a lament for you, but you did not weep.’ 33For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.”