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.
2 When
John, who
was in
prison,
heard
about the
deeds of
the
Messiah,
he sent
his
disciples
3 to
ask him,
“Are you
the one
who is to
come, or
should we
expect
someone
else?”
4 Jesus
replied,
“Go back
and report
to John
what you
hear and
see:
5 The
blind
receive
sight, the
lame walk,
those who
have
leprosy
are
cleansed,
the deaf
hear, the
dead are
raised,
and the
good news
is
proclaimed
to the
poor.
6 Blessed
is anyone
who does
not
stumble on
account of
me.”
7 As
John’s
disciples
were
leaving,
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?
8 If
not, what
did you go
out to
see? A man
dressed in
fine
clothes?
No, those
who wear
fine
clothes
are in
kings’
palaces.
9 Then
what did
you go out
to see? A
prophet?
Yes, I
tell you,
and more
than a
prophet.
10 This
is the one
about whom
it is
written:
“‘I will send my messenger ahead of
you,
who
will
prepare
your way
before
you.’
11 Truly
I tell
you, among
those born
of women
there has
not risen
anyone
greater
than John
the
Baptist;
yet
whoever is
least in
the
kingdom of
heaven is
greater
than he.
12 From
the days
of John
the
Baptist
until now,
the
kingdom of
heaven has
been
subjected
to
violence,
and
violent
people
have been
raiding
it.
13 For
all the
Prophets
and the
Law
prophesied
until
John.
14 And
if you are
willing to
accept it,
he is the
Elijah who
was to
come.
15 Whoever
has ears,
let them
hear.
16 “To
what can I
compare
this
generation?
They are
like
children
sitting in
the
marketplaces
and
calling
out to
others:
17 “‘We
played the
pipe for
you,
and
you did
not dance;
we sang a
dirge,
and
you did
not
mourn.’
18 For
John came
neither
eating nor
drinking,
and they
say, ‘He
has a
demon.’
19 The
Son of Man
came
eating and
drinking,
and they
say, ‘Here
is a
glutton
and a
drunkard,
a friend
of tax
collectors
and
sinners.’
But wisdom
is proved
right by
her
deeds.”
Woe on Unrepentant Towns
20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns
in which
most of
his
miracles
had been
performed,
because
they did
not
repent.
21 “Woe
to you,
Chorazin!
Woe to
you,
Bethsaida!
For if the
miracles
that were
performed
in you had
been
performed
in Tyre
and Sidon,
they would
have
repented
long ago
in
sackcloth
and ashes.
22 But
I tell
you, it
will be
more
bearable
for Tyre
and Sidon
on the day
of
judgment
than for
you.
23 And
you,
Capernaum,
will you
be lifted
to the
heavens?
No, you
will go
down to
Hades. For
if the
miracles
that were
performed
in you had
been
performed
in Sodom,
it would
have
remained
to this
day.
24 But
I tell you
that it
will be
more
bearable
for Sodom
on the day
of
judgment
than for
you.”
The Father Revealed in the Son
25 At that time Jesus said,
“I praise
you,
Father,
Lord of
heaven and
earth,
because
you have
hidden
these
things
from the
wise and
learned,
and
revealed
them to
little
children.
26 Yes,
Father,
for this
is what
you were
pleased to
do.
27 “All
things
have been
committed
to me by
my Father.
No one
knows the
Son except
the
Father,
and no one
knows the
Father
except the
Son and
those to
whom the
Son
chooses to
reveal
him.
28 “Come
to me, all
you who
are weary
and
burdened,
and I will
give you
rest.
29 Take
my yoke
upon you
and learn
from me,
for I am
gentle and
humble in
heart, and
you will
find rest
for your
souls.
30 For
my yoke is
easy and
my burden
is light.”