24 When John's messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John."What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
25 Really, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fancy clothes? See, those who wear fine clothes and live in luxury are in royal palaces.
26 Really, what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and even more than a prophet!
27 Thisis the man about whom it is written,‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,who will prepare your way before you.’
28 I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John. Yet even the least important person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."
29 All the people who heard this, including the tax collectors, acknowledged the justice of God, for they had been baptized with John's baptism.
30 But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God's plan for themselves by refusing to be baptized by him.