Matthew 11 NASB
Jesus’ Tribute to John
7As these disciples of John were going away, Jesus began speaking to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8[g]But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ [h]palaces! 9[i]But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. 10This is the one about whom it [j]is written:
‘BEHOLD, I AM SENDING MY MESSENGER [k]AHEAD OF YOU,
WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.’ 11Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been treated violently, and violent men take it by force. 13For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who [l]was to come. 15The one who has ears to hear, [m]let him hear.
16“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call out to the other children, 17and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a song of mourning, and you did not [n]mourn.’ 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, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a [o]heavy drinker, a friend of tax collectors and [p]sinners!’ And yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”