Matthew 11:7–18

⁷As these men went away, 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? ^s8What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothes? Look, those who wear soft clothes are in kings’ palaces. ⁹But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet. ^t10This is the one it is written about:

Look, I am sending My messenger ahead of You; ^u

he will prepare Your way before You. ^vw

¹¹“^•I assure you: Among those born of women no one greater than John the Baptist has appeared, ^xbut the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ¹²From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been suffering violence, ^yand the violent have been seizing it by force. ¹³For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John; ¹⁴if you’re willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who is to come. ^z15Anyone who has ears ^ashould listen! ^b

An Unresponsive Generation

¹⁶“To what should I compare this generation? It’s like children sitting in the marketplaces who call out to each other:

¹⁷We played the flute for you,

but you didn’t dance;

we sang a lament,

but you didn’t mourn! ^c

¹⁸For John did not come eating or drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ ^d