2 Now when John heard in prison what the Christ was doing, he sent a message through his disciplesah 3 and asked him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”ai

4 Jesus replied to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with leprosy* are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news,aj 6 and blessed is the one who isn’t offended by me.”ak

7 As these men were leaving, 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?al 8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothes? See, those who wear soft clothes are in royal palaces. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.a 10 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.A,b

11 “Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one greater than John the Baptist has appeared,B but the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.