Jesus and John the Baptist
1After
Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on
from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
2When
John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his
disciples 3to ask
him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect
someone else?"
4Jesus
replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see:
5The blind receive
sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are
cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is
preached to the poor. 6Blessed
is the man who does not fall away on account of me."
7As
John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd
about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed
swayed by the wind? 8If
not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes?
No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces.
9Then what did you go
out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
10This is the one
about whom it is written:
" 'I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.
11I tell you the
truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone
greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the
kingdom of heaven is greater than he.