Thematic Bible: Jesus discourses upon

While these men were going back, Jesus began to say to the crowds with reference to John: "What did you go out into the Wilderness to look at? A reed waving in the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man richly dressed? Why, those who wear rich things are to be found in the courts of kings! What, then, did you go for? To see a Prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a Prophet. read more.
This is the man of whom Scripture says--'Behold, I am myself sending my Messenger before thy face, And he shall prepare thy way before thee.' I tell you, no one born of a woman has yet appeared who is greater than John the Baptist; and yet the lowliest in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. From the time of John the Baptist to this very hour, the Kingdom of Heaven has been taken by force, and men using force have been seizing it. For the teaching of all the Prophets and of the Law continued till the time of John; And--if you are ready to accept it--John is himself the Elijah who was destined to come. Let him who has ears hear. But to what shall I compare the present generation? It is like little children sitting in the market-places and calling out to their playmates-- 'We have played the flute for you, but you have not danced; We have wailed, but you have not mourned.' For, when John came, neither eating nor drinking, men said 'He has a demon in him'; And now that the Son of Man has come, eating and drinking, they are saying 'Here is a glutton and a wine-drinker, a friend of tax-gatherers and outcasts!' And yet Wisdom is vindicated by her actions."

When John's messengers had left, Jesus, speaking to the crowds, began to say with reference to John: "What did you go out into the Wilderness to look at? A reed waving in the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in rich clothing? Why, those who are accustomed to fine clothes and luxury live in royal palaces. What then did you go to see? A Prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a Prophet. read more.
This is the very man of whom Scripture says--'Behold, I am sending my Messenger before thy face, And he shall prepare thy way before thee.' There is, I tell you, no one born of a woman who is greater than John; and yet the lowliest in the Kingdom of God is greater than he." (All the people, when they heard this, and even the tax- gatherers, having accepted John's baptism, acknowledged the justice of God. But the Pharisees and the Students of the Law, having rejected John's baptism, frustrated God's purpose in regard to them.) "To what then," Jesus continued, "shall I compare the people of the present generation? What are they like? They are like some little children who are sitting in the market-place and calling out to one another--'We have played the flute for you, but you have not danced; We have wailed, but you have not wept!' For now that John the Baptist has come, not eating bread or drinking wine, you are saying 'He has a demon in him';