Matthew 11:2-19

21Now when 2John, 3while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3and said to Him, “Are You 4the 5Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?” 4Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: 56the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the 7poor have the 8gospel preached to them. 6And blessed is he 9who 10does not 11take offense at Me.”

7As these men were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out into 12the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 813But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ 14palaces! 915But what did you go out to see? 16A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. 10This is the one about whom it 17is written, ‘18Behold, I send My messenger 19ahead of You, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ 11Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is 20least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 1221From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven 22suffers violence, and violent men 23take it by force. 13For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is 24Elijah who 25was to come. 1526He who has ears to hear, 27let 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, 17and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not 28mourn.’ 18For John came neither 29eating nor 30drinking, and they say, ‘31He has a demon!’ 19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a 32drunkard, 33a friend of tax collectors and 34sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”