11. Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12. And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize–a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion].
13. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied up until John.
14. And if you are willing to receive and accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come [before the kingdom]. [Mal. 4:5.]
15. He who has ears to hear, let him be listening and let him consider and perceive and comprehend by hearing.
16. But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like little children sitting in the marketplaces who call to their playmates,
17. We piped to you [playing wedding], and you did not dance; we wailed dirges [playing funeral], and you did not mourn and beat your breasts and weep aloud.
18. For John came neither eating nor drinking [with others], and they say, He has a demon!