Matthew 11:7-19

New International Version

⁷ As John’s^(A) disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness^(B) 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?^(C) Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ This is the one about whom it is written:

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,^[b] and violent people have been raiding it. ¹³ For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.^{(F) 14} And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.^{(G) 15} Whoever has ears, let them hear.^(H)

¹⁶ “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:

¹⁸ For John came neither eating^(I) nor drinking,^(J) 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.’^(K) But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”