Matthew 11:1-19

11When Jesus had finished 2giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He went on from there 3to teach and 4preach in their cities.

25Now while in prison, 6John heard about the works of Christ, and he sent word by his disciples, 3and said to Him, “Are You 7the Coming One, or are we to 8look for someone else?” 4Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: 59those who are blind receive sight and those who limp walk, those with leprosy are cleansed and those who are deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the 10poor have the 11gospel preached to them. 6And blessed is 12any person who 13does not 14take offense at Me.”

7As these disciples of John were going away, Jesus began speaking to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into 15the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 816But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ 17palaces! 918But what did you go out to see? 19A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. 10This is the one about whom it 20is written: ‘21Behold, I am sending My messenger 22ahead 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 least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12And 23from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been treated violently, and violent men take 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. 1526The one who has ears to hear, 27let him hear.

16“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call out to the other children, 17and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a song of mourning, 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 32heavy drinker, 33a friend of tax collectors and 34sinners!’ And yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”