1   When Jesus had finished giving his twelve disciples their instructions, he left that place and went to teach and preach in the neighbouring towns.

2   John, who was in prison, heard what Christ was doing, and sent his own disciples to him with this message: 3   ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to expect some other?’ 4   Jesus answered, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5   the blind recover their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, 6   the poor are hearing the good news—and happy is the man who does not find me a stumbling-block.’

7   When the messengers were on their way back, Jesus began to speak to the people about John: ‘What was the spectacle that drew you to the wilderness? 8   A reed-bed swept by the wind? No? Then what did you go out to see? A man dressed in silks and satins? 9   Surely you must look in palaces for that. But why did you go out? 10   To see a prophet? Yes indeed, and far more than a prophet. He is the man of whom Scripture says,

  “Here is my herald, whom I send on ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.”
11   I tell you this: never has there appeared on earth a mother's son greater than John the Baptist, and yet the least in the kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.

Teaching and healing

12   ‘Ever since the coming of John the Baptist the kingdom of Heaven has been subjected to violence and violent men ^note are seizing it. 13   For all the prophets and the Law foretold things to come until John appeared, 14   and John is the destined Elijah, if you will but accept it. 15   If you have ears, then hear.

16   ‘How can I describe this generation? They are like children sitting in the market-place and shouting at each other,

17   “We piped for you and you would not dance.”
“We wept and wailed, and you would not mourn.”

18   For John came, neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He is possessed.” 19   The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Look at him! a glutton and a drinker, a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners!” And yet God's wisdom is proved right by its results.’

20   Then he spoke of the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, and denounced them for their impenitence. 21   ‘Alas for you, Chorazin!’ he said; ‘alas for you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22   But it will be more bearable, I tell you, for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgement than for you. 23   And as for you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to the skies? No, brought down to the depths! For if the miracles had been performed in Sodom which were performed in you, Sodom would be standing to this day. 24   But it will be more bearable, I tell you, for the land of Sodom on the day of judgement than for you.’

25   At that time Jesus spoke these words: ‘I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for hiding these things from the learned and wise, and revealing them to the simple. 26   Yes, Father, such ^note was thy choice. 27   Everything is entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son but the Father, and no one knows the Father but the Son and those to whom the Son may choose to reveal him.

28   ‘Come to me, all whose work is hard, whose load is heavy; and I will give you relief. 29   Bend your necks to my yoke, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble-hearted; and your souls will find relief. 30   For my yoke is good to bear, my load is light.’

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