19 and sent them to the Lord, asking, “Are you the onep who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

20 When the men reached him, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to ask you, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’ ”

21 At that time Jesus healed many people of diseases,q afflictions, and evil spirits,r and he granted sight to many blind people.s 22 He replied to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with leprosy* are cleansed, the deaf hear,t the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news,u 23 and blessed is the one who isn’t offended by me.”

24 After John’s messengers left, he began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind? 25 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothes? See, those who are splendidly dressed and live in luxury are in royal palaces. 26 What then did you go out to see? A prophet?v Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written:

See, I am sending my messenger

ahead of you;

he will prepare your way before you.E,w

28 I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John,F but the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

29 (And when all the people, including the tax collectors, heard this, they acknowledged God’s way of righteousness, because they had been baptized with John’s baptism.a