7. While they were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
8. What did you go out to see? A man dressed in fancy clothes? Look, those who wear fancy clothes are in the homes of kings!
9. What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
10. This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’
11. “I tell you the truth, among those born of women, no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.
12. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and forceful people lay hold of it.
13. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John appeared.
14. And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, who is to come.
15. The one who has ears had better listen!
16. “To what should I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces who call out to one another,
17. ‘We played the flute for you, yet you did not dance; we wailed in mourning, yet you did not weep.’
18. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’
19. The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him, a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”