22. So Jesus replied to the messengers, "Go back to John. Tell him what you have seen and heard. Blind people receive sight. Disabled people walk. Those who have skin diseases are healed. Deaf people hear. Those who are dead are raised to life. And the good news is preached to those who are poor.
23. Blessed are those who do not give up their faith because of me."
24. So John's messengers left. Then Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John. He said, "What did you go out into the desert to see? Tall grass waving in the wind?
25. If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No. Those who wear fine clothes and have many expensive things are in palaces.
26. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
27. "He is the one written about in Scripture. It says, " 'I will send my messenger ahead of you. He will prepare your way for you.' (Malachi 3:1)
28. I tell you, no one more important than John has ever been born. But the least important person in God's kingdom is more important than he is."
29. All the people who heard Jesus' words agreed that God's way was right. Even the tax collectors agreed. These people had all been baptized by John.
30. But the Pharisees and the authorities on the law did not accept God's purpose for themselves. They had not been baptized by John.
31. "What can I compare today's people to?" Jesus asked. "What are they like?