Mat 11:2-19 | NASB2020 | STEP | Now while in prison , John heard about the works of Christ , and he sent word by his disciples ,

a Matt 11:2-19: Luke 7:18-35; Matt 4:12

Matthew 11:2-19

2 ^aNow while in prison, ^bJohn heard about the works of Christ, and he sent word by his disciples, 3 and said to Him, “Are You ^cthe Coming One, or are we to ^{▼▼Or wait for}look for someone else?” 4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: 5 ^e those who are blind receive sight and those who limp walk, those with leprosy are cleansed and those who are deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the ^fpoor have the ^{▼▼Or good news}gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is ^{▼▼Lit whoever}any person who ⁱdoes not ^{▼▼Or stumble over Me}take offense at Me.”

Jesus’ Tribute to John

7 As these disciples of John were going away, Jesus began speaking to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into ^kthe wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 ^{▼▼Or Well then,}But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ ^{▼▼Lit houses}palaces! 9 ^{▼▼Or Well then,}But what did you go out to see? ^oA prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it ^{▼▼Lit has been written}is written:

‘ ^qBehold, I am sending My messenger ^{▼▼Lit before Your face}ahead of You,
Who will prepare Your way before You.’
11 Truly 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. 12 And ^sfrom the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been treated violently, and violent men take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is ^tElijah who ^{▼▼Or is going to come}was to come. 15 ^vThe one who has ears to hear, ^{▼▼Or hear! Or listen!}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, 17 and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a song of mourning, and you did not ^{▼▼Lit beat the breast}mourn.’ 18 For John came neither ^yeating nor ^zdrinking, and they say, ‘ ^aaHe has a demon!’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a ^{▼▼Or wine drinker}heavy drinker, ^aca friend of tax collectors and ^{▼▼I.e., irreligious Jews}sinners!’ And yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”