23. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”
24. When the messengers of John had left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John. “What did you go out to the desert to see—a reed swayed by the wind?
25. Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine garments? Those who dress luxuriously and live sumptuously are found in royal palaces.
26. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
27. This is the one about whom scripture says:‘Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,he will prepare your way before you.’
28. I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
29. (All the people who listened, including the tax collectors, and who were baptized with the baptism of John, acknowledged the righteousness of God;
30. but the Pharisees and scholars of the law, who were not baptized by him, rejected the plan of God for themselves.)
31. “Then to what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?
32. They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another,‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance.We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’
33. For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’
34. The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’
35. But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”
36. A Pharisee invited him to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.
37. Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment,
38. she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.
39. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.”
40. Jesus said to him in reply, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said.
41. “Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty.