Report To John
When John heard about all the things concerning what Christ was doing from his disciples while he was in prison, he called two of them and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who has come, or should we expect another?” So the men came to Jesus and said, “John the Baptist sent us to you saying, ‘Are you the one who is coming or should we expect another?’” And in that hour, Jesus healed many diseases, afflictions, and evil spirits, and he granted sight to those who were blind. (Luke 7:18-21, Matthew 11:2-3)
In Jesus’ reply, he said to them, “Go report to John all the things you have seen and heard: The blind see again, the lame walk, the lepers are being cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised, and the poor are given good news [Isaiah 35:5-6; 61:1], and how blessed is he who is not offended by me.” (Luke 7:22-23, Matthew 11:4-6)
Jesus Confirms John
When John’s messengers went away, he began to speak to the crowds concerning John, saying, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed being shaken by the wind? What rather did you go out to see? A man clothed in fine clothes? Look: Those wearing splendid garments and living in luxury are in kings’ houses. What rather did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, as much more than a prophet. This is he concerning whom it has been written, ‘See: I send forth my messenger before your face, who will prepare your path before you. [Malichi 3:1]’” (Luke 7:24-27, Matthew 11:7-10)
I tell you truly, among those born of women, no one is greater than John, but a lesser man in the Kingdom of the heavens is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of the heavens has been violently assailed, and the violent seized it. For all the prophets and the Law, right up to John, prophesied; and – if you are willing to accept this – he is himself Elijah who is about to come. Whoever has ears, let him listen. ” (And all the people hearing those who had been baptized with John’s baptism, even the tax collectors, spoke of God’s justice; but the Pharisees and the lawyers, not being baptized by him, rejected God’s will for them). (Matthew 11:11-15, Luke 7:28-30)
Jesus continued saying, “To what shall I liken the men of this generation, and what do they resemble? They are like children sitting in the marketplace who, accosting others and one another, say, ‘We played flutes for you, and you did not dance; we wailed in lamentation, and you did not beat your breasts and weep.’ For John the Baptist came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look: a gluttonous and wine-besotted man, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ And Wisdom has been vindicated by her works.” (Matthew 11:16-19, Luke 7:31-35)
