John’s Inquiry
(Luke 7:18–23)

1And it happened that, when Jesus had completed instructing his twelve disciples, he went away from there in order to teach and to preach in their cities.

2Now when John had heard, in prison, about the works of Christ, sending two of his disciples, he said to him, 3“Are you he who is to come, or should we expect another?” 4And Jesus, responding, said to them: “Go and report to John what you have heard and seen. 5The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise again, the poor are evangelized. 6And blessed is he who has found no offense in me.”

Jesus Testifies about John
(Malachi 3:1–5; Luke 7:24–35)

7Then, after they departed, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8So what did you go out to see? A man in soft garments? Behold, those who are clothed in soft garments are in the houses of kings. 9Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

10For this is he, of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send my Angel before your face, who shall prepare your way before you.’

11Amen I say to you, among those born of women, there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12But from the days of John the Baptist, even until now, the kingdom of heaven has endured violence, and the violent carry it away. 13For all the prophets and the law prophesied, even until John. 14And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah, who is to come. 15Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.

16But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplace, 17who, calling out to their companions, say: ‘We played music for you, and you did not dance. We lamented, and you did not mourn.’ 18For John came neither eating nor drinking; and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19The Son of man came eating and drinking; and they say, ‘Behold, a man who eats voraciously and who drinks wine, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is justified by her sons.”

Woe to the Unrepentant
(Luke 10:13–16)

20Then he began to rebuke the cities in which many of his miracles were accomplished, for they still had not repented.

21“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in haircloth and ashes. 22Yet truly, I say to you, Tyre and Sidon shall be forgiven more than you, on the day of judgment. 23And you, Capernaum, would you be exalted all the way to heaven? You shall descend all the way to Hell. For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Sodom, perhaps it would have remained, even to this day. 24Yet truly, I say to you, that the land of Sodom shall be forgiven more than you, on the day of judgment.”

Rest for the Weary
(Luke 10:21–24)

25At that time, Jesus responded and said: “I acknowledge you, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the prudent, and have revealed them to little ones. 26Yes, Father, for this was pleasing before you. 27All things have been delivered to me by my Father. And no one knows the Son except the Father, nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and those to whom the Son is willing to reveal him.

28Come to me, all you who labor and have been burdened, and I will refresh you. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is sweet and my burden is light.”