Matthew 11:7–19

^7hAs they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? ⁱA reed shaken by the wind? ⁸But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. ⁹But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, ^jand more than a prophet. ¹⁰For this is he of whom it is written:

^k‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,

Who will prepare Your way before You.’

¹¹“Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ^12lAnd from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. ^13mFor all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. ¹⁴And if you are willing to receive it, he is ⁿElijah who is to come. ^15oHe who has ears to hear, let him hear!

Rejection by Jesus’ Generation

Luke 7:31–35

^16p“But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, ¹⁷and saying:

‘We played the flute for you,

And you did not dance;

We mourned to you,

And you did not ²lament.’

¹⁸For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ ¹⁹The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a ³winebibber, ^qa friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ ^rBut wisdom is justified by her ⁴children.”