John Seeks an Affirmation of Jesus' Identity

Matthew 11:2-19

Now while John was in prison, he heard of the works of the Messiah and sent two of his followers to ask, “Are you the one expected, or should we look for another yet to come?”

Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and show John again those things which you hear and see. The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear. The dead are raised and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, that is not embarrassed with me.”

And as they left, Jesus began to talk to the multitudes about John. “What did you go out into the wilderness to see—a reed shaken by the wind? What did you go out to see—a man dressed for leisure? Look, those that dress for leisure are in the kings' palaces.

“No! You went out to see a prophet. Right? I tell you…and more than merely a prophet, for this is he of whom it is written, ‘Look, I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly, I tell you, of everyone born so far, not one who has been honored is greater than John the Baptist. Nonetheless, the least in the kingdom of heaven excels him.

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has faced resistance, and powerful men seize it. For all the prophets and the law, until John, spoke forth God’s word until John. And if you are willing to receive him, he is Elijah, who was to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

“To what can I compare this generation? It’s like children, sitting in the marketplace calling out to their friends, saying, ‘We played the flute and you didn’t dance with us. And when we were sad, you wouldn’t mourn.’ For John came, neither eating nor drinking, and people say, ‘He is possessed!’ And the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look! He’s a glutton and a drunk! And he makes friends with tax-collectors and sinners.’ But current wisdom is justified by her children.”

Luke 7:18-35

Now the followers of John reported all these things to him. And John called two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one expected, or should we look for another yet to come?”

Coming to him, the men said, “John the Baptist has sent us to ask you if you are the one expected, or if we should look for one yet coming?” And as they were asking, he was healing many of sicknesses and diseases, and evil spirits. Many who were blind, he healed.

Afterward, he spoke with them and said, “Go home and tell John what you’ve seen and heard—how the blind see, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor evangelized. Those not embarrassed by being associated with me are blessed.”

And when the messengers of John had left, he began to speak to the people about John. “What did you go out into the wilderness to see—a reed shaken with the wind? What did you go to see—a man clothed in soft raiment? Look, those magnificently dressed, living leisurely lives are found in kings' courts.

‘But you went out to see a prophet—right?  Yes, a prophet. And I tell you, much more than a prophet. This is he, of whom it is written, ‘Look, I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly, I tell you, of everyone born so far, none were a greater prophet than John the Baptist. Nonetheless, the least in the kingdom of heaven excels him.

And all the people that had been baptized by John paid attention to him and acknowledged God, even the tax-collectors. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the direction of God against themselves, because they rejected the baptism of John.

And the Lord said, “To what can I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? They’re like children sitting in the market, calling to each other, and saying, ‘We played the flute and you didn’t dance with us. And when we were sad, you wouldn’t mourn.’ For John came, neither eating nor drinking, and people say, ‘He is possessed!’ And the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look! He’s a glutton and a drunk! And he makes friends with tax-collectors and sinners.’ But current wisdom is justified by her children.”