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Messengers from John the Baptist

When John heard in prison what the Messiah[a] was doing, he sent word by his[b] disciples(A) and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?”(B) Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with a skin disease are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.(C) And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”(D)

Jesus Praises John the Baptist

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind?(E) What, then, did you go out to see? Someone[c] dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What, then, did you go out to see? A prophet?[d] Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.(F) 10 This is the one about whom it is written,

‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way before you.’(G)

11 “Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist, yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

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Footnotes

  1. 11.2 Or the Christ
  2. 11.2 Other ancient authorities read two of his
  3. 11.8 Or Why, then, did you go out? To see someone
  4. 11.9 Other ancient authorities read Why, then, did you go out? To see a prophet?

When John,(A) who was in prison,(B) heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come,(C) or should we expect someone else?”

Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[a] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.(D) Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”(E)

As John’s(F) disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness(G) to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 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. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet?(H) 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,(I)
    who will prepare your way before you.’[b](J)

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.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 11:5 The Greek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin.
  2. Matthew 11:10 Mal. 3:1