The Messengers from John the Baptist (Matthew 11.2-19) 18When John's disciples told him about all these things, he called two of them
19and sent them to the Lord to ask him, "Are you the one John said was going to come, or should we expect someone else?"
20When they came to Jesus, they said, "John the Baptist sent us to ask if you are the one he said was going to come, or should we expect someone else?"
21At that very time Jesus healed many people from their sicknesses, diseases, and evil spirits, and gave sight to many blind people.
22He answered John's messengers, "Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind can see, the lame can walk, those who suffer from dreaded skin diseases are made clean, the deaf can hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is preached to the poor.
23How happy are those who have no doubts about me!"
24After John's messengers had left, Jesus began to speak about him to the crowds: "When you went out to John in the desert, what did you expect to see? A blade of grass bending in the wind?
25What did you go out to see? A man dressed up in fancy clothes? People who dress like that and live in luxury are found in palaces!
26Tell me, what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes indeed, but you saw much more than a prophet.
27For John is the one of whom the scripture says: 'God said, I will send my messenger ahead of you to open the way for you.'
28I tell you," Jesus added, "John is greater than anyone who has ever lived. But the one who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than John."
29All the people heard him; they and especially the tax collectors were the ones who had obeyed God's righteous demands and had been baptized by John.
30But the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law rejected God's purpose for themselves and refused to be baptized by John.
31Jesus continued, "Now to what can I compare the people of this day? What are they like?
32They are like children sitting in the marketplace. One group shouts to the other, 'We played wedding music for you, but you wouldn't dance! We sang funeral songs, but you wouldn't cry!'
33John the Baptist came, and he fasted and drank no wine, and you said, 'He has a demon in him!'
34The Son of Man came, and he ate and drank, and you said, 'Look at this man! He is a glutton and wine drinker, a friend of tax collectors and other outcasts!'
35God's wisdom, however, is shown to be true by all who accept it."
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