Thematic Bible: Jesus discourses upon

But as they were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: "What did you go out into the desert to gaze at? A reed that is tossed to and fro by the wind? If not, what did you go out there to see? A man dressed in silks and satins? No, people who dress in that way are found in the palaces of kings. If not, why did you go out there? To see a prophet? read more.
This is the man of whom the Scripture says, "'Attention! I am sending my messenger on before you; He will prepare the road ahead of you.' "I solemnly say to you, of all men born of women no one greater than John the Baptist has ever appeared; and yet the one who is least important in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until the present moment the kingdom of heaven has been continuously taken by storm, and those who take it by storm are seizing it as a precious prize. For up to the days of John all the prophets, and even the law, prophesied about it, and if you are willing to accept it, John himself is the Elijah who was to come. Let him who has ears listen! "But to what can I compare the leaders of this age? They are like little children sitting in the market places and calling to their fellows in the game, "'We played the wedding march for you, but you did not dance. We sang the funeral dirge, but you did not beat your breasts.' For John came neither eating nor drinking with others, and yet they said, 'He has a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking with others, and they say, 'Just look at Him! A glutton and a wine-drinker, a chum of tax-collectors and notorious sinners!' And yet wisdom is vindicated by her doings!"

But when John's messengers had gone, He began to speak to the crowds about John: "What did you go out into the desert to gaze at? A reed that is tossed to and fro by the wind? If not, what did you go out there to see? A man dressed in silks and satins? No. People who dress gorgeously and live luxuriously are found in royal palaces. If not, then what did you go out there to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is far more than a prophet. read more.
This is the man of whom the Scripture says: "'Attention! I send my messenger on before you. He will prepare the road ahead of you.' "I tell you, of all men born of women there is not one greater than John; and yet the one who is of least importance in the kingdom of God is greater than he. And all the people, even the tax-collectors, when they heard him, vindicated the righteous requirements of God by submitting to John's baptism, but the Pharisees and experts in the law thwarted God's purpose for themselves by refusing to be baptized by him. So to what can I compare the men of this age, and what are they like? They are like little children sitting in the market-place and calling to their fellows in the game: "'We played the wedding march for you, but you did not dance. We sang the funeral dirge, but you did not mourn.' "For John the Baptist came eating no bread and drinking no wine, and yet you say, 'He has a demon!'