About John

John’s disciples went to John, whom Herod had put in prison. And they told John about all the things that Jesus was doing. Hearing all of this, John called two of his disciples and sent them to ask Jesus, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?”

And so, the men came to Jesus and said, “John the Baptist sent us to ask, ‘Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?’ ”

At that very hour, Jesus healed many people of their diseases, afflictions, and evil spirits, and He gave sight to many who were blind. So, He replied, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the one who does not fall away on account of Me.”

As John's disciples departed, Jesus began to speak with the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind? Otherwise, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Look, those who wear elegant clothing and live in luxury are found in kings' palaces. 

“What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:

‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You who will prepare Your way before You.’

“Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence, and the violent lay claim to it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. He who has ears, let him hear.

All the people who heard this, even the tax collectors, acknowledged God’s justice. For they had received the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves because they had not been baptized by John.

“To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’

“For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is vindicated by her children; by her actions.”

(See Matthew 11:2-19; Luke 7:18-35)

(Referenced: Malachi 3:1)

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