9. Tell me, what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes indeed, but you saw much more than a prophet.
10. For John is the one of whom the scripture says: ‘God said, I will send my messenger ahead of you to open the way for you.’
11. I assure you that John the Baptist is greater than anyone who has ever lived. But the one who is least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than John.
12. From the time John preached his message until this very day the Kingdom of heaven has suffered violent attacks, and violent men try to seize it.
13. Until the time of John all the prophets and the Law of Moses spoke about the Kingdom;
14. and if you are willing to believe their message, John is Elijah, whose coming was predicted.
15. Listen, then, if you have ears!
16. “Now, to what can I compare the people of this day? They are like children sitting in the market place. One group shouts to the other,