Mat 11:7-14, 21:25-27, 31-32, Joh 1:15, 29, 34, 36, 3:29-36 | ESV | STEP | As they went away , Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John : What did you go out into the wilderness to see ? A reed shaken by the wind ?

7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out ^ainto the wilderness to see? ^bA reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man ^{▼▼Or Why then did you go out? To see a man . . .} dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? ^dA prophet? ^{▼▼Some manuscripts Why then did you go out? To see a prophet?} Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written,

^f“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’
11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 ^gFrom the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, ^{▼▼Or has been coming violently} and the violent take it by force. 13 ⁱFor all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is ^jElijah who is to come.

Matthew 21:25-27

25 The baptism of John, ^kfrom where did it come? ^lFrom heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ^m‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From man,’ ⁿwe are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was ^oa prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

Matthew 21:31-32

31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, ^pthe tax collectors and ^qthe prostitutes go into ^rthe kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you ^sin the way of righteousness, and ^tyou did not believe him, but ^uthe tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward ^vchange your minds and believe him.

John 1:15

15 ( ^wJohn bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ^x‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”)

John 1:29

Behold, the Lamb of God

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, ^ythe Lamb of God, who ^ztakes away the sin ^aaof the world!

John 1:34

34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

John 1:36

36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, ^abthe Lamb of God!”

John 3:29-36

29 ^acThe one who has the bride is the bridegroom. ^adThe friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, ^aerejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 ^afHe must increase, but I must decrease.” ^{▼▼Some interpreters hold that the quotation continues through verse 36}

31 ^ahHe who comes from above ^aiis above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and ^ajspeaks in an earthly way. ^akHe who comes from heaven ^alis above all. 32 ^amHe bears witness to what he has seen and heard, ^anyet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony ^aosets his seal to this, ^apthat God is true. 34 For he whom ^aqGod has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit ^arwithout measure. 35 ^asThe Father loves the Son and ^athas given all things into his hand. 36 ^auWhoever believes in the Son has eternal life; ^avwhoever does not obey the Son shall not ^awsee life, but the wrath of God remains on him.