Jesus Testifies to John, The Baptizer
When John’s messengers had left, Jesus, speaking to the crowds, began to say with reference to John:
“What did you go out into the Wilderness to look at? A reed waving in the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in rich clothing? Why, those who are accustomed to fine clothes and luxury live in royal palaces. What then did you go to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet. This is the very man of whom Scripture says—
“‘Behold, I am sending my Messenger before thy face, And he shall prepare thy way before thee.’
There is, I tell you, no one born of a woman who is greater than John; and yet the lowliest in the Kingdom of God is greater than he.”
(All the people, when they heard this, and even the tax-gatherers, having accepted John’s baptism, acknowledged the justice of God. But the Pharisees and the Students of the Law, having rejected John’s baptism, frustrated God’s purpose in regard to them.)
“To what then,” Jesus continued, “shall I compare the people of the present generation? What are they like? They are like some little children who are sitting in the market-place and calling out to one another—
“‘We have played the flute for you, but you have not danced;
“‘We have wailed, but you have not wept!’
“For now that John the Baptist has come, not eating bread or drinking wine, you are saying ‘He has a demon in him’; and now that the Son of Man has come, eating and drinking, you are saying ‘Here is a glutton and a wine-drinker, a friend of tax-gatherers and outcasts.’ And yet Wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”
—Luke.
“Only what thou art in thyself determines thy value.”