18Then John’s disciples informed him about all these things.
19So John called two of his disciples and sent them to ask the Lord, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?”
20When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to ask, ‘Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?’”
21At that very hour Jesus healed many people of their diseases, afflictions, and evil spirits, and He gave sight to many who were blind.
22So 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.
23Blessed is the one who does not fall away on account of Me.”
24After John’s messengers had left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind?
25Otherwise, 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 palaces.
26What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
27This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.’
28I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John, yet even the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
29All the people who heard this, even the tax collectors, acknowledged God’s justice. For they had received the baptism of John.
30But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.
31“To what, then, can I compare the men of this generation? What are they like?
32They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to one another: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’
33For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’
34The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’
35But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”