Matthew 11:1-19 - A Question From John The Baptist

¹ When Jesus finished instructing his twelve disciples, he left to teach and preach in their cities. ² While in prison, John heard news of what Christ was doing. He sent his disciples. ³ They asked Jesus: Are you the Expected One or should we look for another?

⁴ And Jesus answered: Go tell John the things you hear and see. ⁵ The blind receive their sight. The lame walk! The lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear. The dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. ⁶ Blessed and happy is he who is not offended by me.

⁷ When these men left, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John. What did you go into the wilderness to find? Did you look for a reed shaken by the wind? ⁸ What did you expect to see, a man clothed in fancy clothes? Those who wear fancy clothes are in king's houses. ⁹ Did you go to see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet! ¹⁰ This is he of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send my messenger ahead of you. He will prepare the way for you.'

¹¹ I tell you, there is none, born of women, greater then John the Baptist. Yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ¹² From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been man's goal, and men of violence have attempted to take it by force. ¹³ For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. ¹⁴ If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come. ¹⁵ He who has ears to hear let him listen!

¹⁶ Of what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their playmates.

¹⁷ They say: 'We piped for you and you did not dance. We cried and you did not mourn.'

¹⁸ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' ¹⁹ The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'A gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Wisdom is justified by its actions.

¹⁸ The disciples of John told him the news. ¹⁹ John sent two of his disciples to the Lord. They asked, Should we look for another or are you the one?

²⁰ When the men found him they said: John the Baptist sent us. Are you the one who comes or should we look for another?

²¹ In that hour he cured many diseases, plagues and evil spirits. Sight was restored to the blind. ²² He answered John's disciples: Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard. The blind receive their sight! The lame walk and lepers are cleansed. The deaf hear! The dead are raised up and the poor have good news preached to them. ²³ Blessed is he who is not offended by me. ²⁴ After John's disciples departed he told the crowd about John: What did you go into the wilderness to find? Was it a reed shaken with the wind? ²⁵ What did you go to see, a man clothed in fancy clothes? Only kings dress in fancy clothes. ²⁶ What did you go out to see, a prophet? Yes I tell you and much more than a prophet. ²⁷ This is he of whom it is written, Behold I send my messenger before you. He will prepare a way before you.

²⁸ I say to you, of those who are born of women there is none greater than John. Yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

²⁹ When the people heard, they acknowledged God's justice. They received their baptism from John. ³⁰ The Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the counsel of God and were not baptized by him.

³¹ To whom or what should I compare the men of this generation? ³² They are like children that sit in the marketplace and call to each other. We played the flute for you but you did not dance. We wailed and you did not weep.

³³ John the Baptist came fasting and drinking no wine and you say he has a demon. ³⁴ The Son of man came eating and drinking, and you say look he is a gluttonous man, and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners! ³⁵ All her children vindicate wisdom.