^7:24When⁸⁶ John’s messengers had gone, Jesus⁸⁷ began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness⁸⁸ to see? A reed shaken by the wind?⁸⁹^7:25What⁹⁰ did you go out to see? A man dressed in fancy⁹¹ clothes?⁹² Look, those who wear fancy clothes and live in luxury⁹³ are in kings’ courts!⁹⁴^7:26What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more⁹⁵ than a prophet. ^7:27This is the one about whom it is written, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,⁹⁶ who will prepare your way before you.’⁹⁷

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Footnotes

86 Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
87 Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
88 Or “desert.”
89 There is a debate as to whether one should read this figuratively (“to see someone who is easily blown over?”) or literally (Grk “to see the wilderness vegetation?… No, to see a prophet”). Either view makes good sense, but the following examples suggest the question should be read literally and understood to point to the fact that a prophet drew them to the desert.
90 Grk “But what.” Here ἀλλά (alla, a strong contrastive in Greek) produces a somewhat awkward sense in English, and has not been translated. The same situation occurs at the beginning of v. 26.
91 Or “soft”; see L&N 79.100.
92 The reference to fancy clothes makes the point that John was not rich or powerful, in that he did not come from the wealthy classes.
93 See L&N 88.253, “to revel, to carouse, to live a life of luxury.”
94 Or “palaces.”
95 John the Baptist is “more” because he introduces the one (Jesus) who brings the new era. The term is neuter, but may be understood as masculine in this context ( περισσότερος b.).
96 Grk “before your face” (an idiom).
97 The quotation is primarily from Mal 3:1 with pronouns from Exod 23:20. Here is the forerunner who points the way to the arrival of God’s salvation. His job is to prepare and guide the people, as the cloud did for Israel in the desert.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written,

“ ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,

who will prepare your way before you.’

NIVNew International Version (2011)

After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:

“ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,

who will prepare your way before you.’

CSBChristian Standard Bible

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? 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. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 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.

NLTNew Living Translation

After John’s disciples left, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people who wear beautiful clothes and live in luxury are found in palaces. Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say,

‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,

and he will prepare your way before you.’

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

And when the messengers of John had departed, he began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are in splendid clothing and luxury are in the royal palaces. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and even more than a prophet! It is this man about whom it is written:

‘Behold, I am sending my messenger before your face,

who will prepare your way before you.’

KJV 1900King James Version

And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

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