Matthew 11:2–14

^2aNow when ^bJohn, ¹while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples

³and said to Him, “Are You ^athe ¹Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?”

⁴Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see:

^5athe blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the ^bpoor have the ¹gospel preached to them.

⁶“And blessed is he ¹who ^adoes not ²take offense at Me.”

Jesus’ Tribute to John

⁷As these men were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out into ^athe wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

⁸“¹But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ ²palaces!

⁹“¹But what did you go out to see? ^aA prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet.

¹⁰“This is the one about whom it ¹is written,

‘^aBehold, I send My messenger ²ahead of You,

Who will prepare Your way before You.’

¹¹“Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is ¹least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

¹²“^aFrom the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven ¹suffers violence, and violent men ²take it by force.

¹³“For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John.

¹⁴“And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is ^aElijah who ¹was to come.