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1 When Jesus finished instructing his twelve disciples, he left that place to teach and preach in their towns. 2 Now John had heard in prison of the works of Christ and sent some of his disciples to him. 3 They said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we await another?” 4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go tell John what you hear and see: 5 The blind gain sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the Good News is announced to the poor. 6 And blessed is the one who is not scandalized by me.” 7 When they had left, he began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go into the wilderness to see? A reed blowing in the wind? 8 Then what? A man dressed in fine clothes? People who wear expensive clothing live in palaces. 9 So what did you go to see? A prophet? Yes, and I tell you, more than a prophet. 10 This man is the one about whom it was written:

Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare the way for you.

11 Amen I say to you, among those born of women, no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist, but the least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than him. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of Heaven is subject to violence, and the violent take hold of it. 13 For all the Law and Prophets prophesied up until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, who is to come. 15 Whoever has ears ought to listen.

Comments

John the Baptist initially had high hopes for Jesus (3.14), but now, sitting in prison after his arrest (4.12) he seems to be having doubts. Perhaps he had been expecting a more fiery or militant Messiah (3.11-12). He sends disciples to Jesus to ask whether he really is the one they have been waiting for. Instead of responding directly, Jesus answers with a list of things he has done (5). Beyond being impressive feats, they are all actions the Book of Isaiah links with arrival of the Messiah. He concludes by declaring blessed anyone who is not scandalized by him, i.e. anyone who does not lose faith because Jesus was not what they were expecting.

Jesus then tells the crowds they were right to go to see John in the desert, because he was a prophet and the forerunner preparing the way for the Messiah. The quote in verse 10 is Malachi 3.1. John was Elijah come again, fulfilling the expectation that that prophet would return before the Messiah’s arrival (see Malachi 3.23). He was the greatest person yet born, but the saints of the Kingdom would be even greater. John, a transitional figure, is becoming part of that Kingdom because he is subject to the same violence that attacks it (12).