²⁸ I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; but ^[a]he that is inferior [to the other citizens] in the kingdom of God is greater [in incomparable privilege] than he.

²⁹ And all the people who heard Him, even the tax collectors, acknowledged the justice of God [in ^[b]calling them to repentance and in pronouncing future wrath on the impenitent], being baptized with the baptism of John.

³⁰ But the Pharisees and the lawyers [of the Mosaic Law] annulled and rejected and brought to nothing God’s purpose concerning themselves, by [refusing and] not being baptized by him [John].