6 God will bless everyone who doesn't reject me because of what I do.”
7 As John's followers were going away, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John:What sort of person did you go out into the desert to see? Was he like tall grass blown about by the wind?
8 What kind of man did you go out to see? Was he someone dressed in fine clothes? People who dress like that live in the king's palace.
9 What did you really go out to see? Was he a prophet? He certainly was. I tell you that he was more than a prophet.
10 In the Scriptures God says about him, “I am sending my messenger ahead to get things ready for you.”
11 I tell you no one ever born on this earth is greater than John the Baptist. But whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John.
12 From the time of John the Baptist until now, violent people have been trying to take over the kingdom of heaven by force.