Matthew 11:7-19

7John's disciples went away again. Jesus spoke to the crowd about John. He said to them, ‘You went out to the wilderness. What did you go there to see? Was it a tall piece of grass which the wind was blowing this way and that? No, you did not go to see that.

8Did you go to see a man who was wearing expensive clothes? No! People like that do not live in the wilderness. They live in kings' great houses.

9So what did you go to see? Did you go to see a prophet sent by God? Yes! But I tell you, John was even more important than a prophet.

10This is what someone wrote about him a long time ago in the Bible. God said: “Listen! I will send someone to go in front of you. He will speak my message. He will prepare a way for you.” ’

11Jesus then said, ‘I tell you this: John the Baptist is greater than any person who has ever lived until now. But now, anyone who belongs in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John. Even the least important of them is greater than he is.

12From the time that John the Baptist began to teach until now, the kingdom of heaven is becoming very strong. Strong people are trying very much to attack it.

13All the prophets and the books of the Law spoke God's message until the time that John the Baptist came.

14The prophets wrote about Elijah. They said he would come again, to prepare for the Messiah. They were writing about John, and you should believe their message.

15You have ears, so listen well to what I say!’

16Jesus said, ‘I will talk to you about the people who are alive today. They are like children who are sitting in the market place. They are playing games and they shout to other children,

17“We made happy music on a flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a sad song but you did not cry.”

18People today are like those children. John the Baptist did not eat ordinary food. He never drank wine. So people say that he has a bad spirit in him.

19Then I, the Son of Man, came. I eat meals with other people and I drink wine. So people say about me, “Look at him! He eats too much and he drinks too much. He is a friend of bad people and men who take taxes from people.” God is wise. The good things that he does show that he is right.’