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?
32. They are like children sitting in the market place and calling out to each other. They say, " 'We played a flute for you. But you didn't dance. We sang a funeral song. But you didn't cry.'
33. "That is how it has been with John the Baptist. When he came to you, he didn't eat bread or drink wine. And you say, 'He has a demon.'
34. But when the Son of Man came, he ate and drank as you do. And you say, 'This fellow is always eating and drinking far too much. He's a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." '
35. All who follow wisdom prove that wisdom is right."
36. One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him. So he went to the Pharisee's house. He took his place at the table.