14. He walked to the open coffin and touched it. The men who were carrying the coffin stopped. Jesus spoke to the dead son: “Young man, I tell you, get up!”
15. Then the boy sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.
16. Everyone was filled with fear. They began praising God and said, “A great prophet is here with us!” and “God is taking care of his people.”
17. This news about Jesus spread all over Judea and to all the other places around there.
18. John’s followers told him about all these things. John called for two of his followers.
19. He sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one we heard was coming, or should we wait for someone else?”
20. So the men came to Jesus. They said, “John the Baptizer sent us to you with this question: ‘Are you the one who is coming, or should we wait for someone else?’”
21. Right then Jesus healed many people of their sicknesses and diseases. He healed those who had evil spirits and made many who were blind able to see again.
22. Then he said to John’s followers, “Go tell John what you have seen and heard: The blind can see. The crippled can walk. People with leprosy are healed. The deaf can hear. The dead are brought back to life. And the Good News is being told to the poor.
23. Great blessings belong to those who don’t have a problem accepting me.”
24. When John’s followers left, Jesus began talking to the people about John: “What did you people go out into the desert to see? Someone who is weak, like a stem of grass blowing in the wind?
25. Really, what did you expect to see? Someone dressed in fine clothes? Of course not. People who wear fancy clothes and live in luxury are all in kings’ palaces.
26. So what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, John is a prophet. But I tell you, he is more than that.
27. This Scripture was written about him: ‘Listen! I will send my messenger ahead of you. He will prepare the way for you.’ Malachi 3:1