23. The person who does not lose faith is blessed!”
24. When John’s followers left, Jesus began to tell the people about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed blown by the wind?
25. What did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No. People who have fine clothes live in kings’ palaces.
26. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, and I tell you, John is more than a prophet.
27. This was written about John:‘I will send my messenger ahead of you.He will prepare the way for you.’ Malachi 3:1
28. I tell you, John is greater than any other man ever born. But even the least important person in the kingdom of God is greater than John.”
29. (When the people heard this, they all agreed that God’s teaching was good. Even the tax collectors agreed. These were people who were already baptized by John.
30. But the Pharisees and teachers of the law refused to accept God’s plan for themselves; they did not let John baptize them.)
31. Then Jesus said, “What shall I say about the people of this time? What are they like?
32. They are like children sitting in the marketplace. One group of children calls to the other group and says,‘We played music for you, but you did not dance.We sang a sad song, but you did not cry.’
33. John the Baptist came and did not eat like other people or drink wine. And you say, ‘He has a demon in him.’
34. The Son of Man came eating like other people and drinking wine. And you say, ‘Look at him! He eats too much and drinks too much wine! He is a friend of the tax collectors and “sinners”!’
35. But wisdom is shown to be right by the things it does.”
36. One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him. Jesus went into the Pharisee’s house and sat at the table.