24 Now when John's messengers had departed, He began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What have you gone out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
25 But what have you gone out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in royal [palaces].
26 But what have you gone out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and much more than a prophet.
27 This is he about whom it is written: 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.'
28 "For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater [than] he."
29 And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.
30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God for themselves, because they had not been baptized by him.