Matthew 11:1-11

1When Jesus had finished giving these instructions to his twelve disciples, he went out to teach and preach in towns throughout the region.

2John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus,

3“Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?”

4Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—

5the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.”

6And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.”

7As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind?

8Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces.

9Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet.

10John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.’

11“I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!