9. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet.
10. This is the one about whom it is written, 'Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, Who will prepare Your way before You.'
11. Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.
13. For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John.
14. And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come.
15. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
16. "But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places, who call out to the other children,
17. and say, 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.'
18. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon!'