1After Jesus finished giving his twelve disciples these instructions, he moved on from there to teach his message in their cities.

2When John was in prison, he heard about the things Christ had done. So he sent his disciples 3to ask Jesus, "Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for someone else?" 4Jesus answered John's disciples, "Go back, and tell John what you hear and see: 5Blind people see again, lame people are walking, those with skin diseases are made clean, deaf people hear again, dead people are brought back to life, and poor people hear the Good News. 6Whoever doesn't lose his faith in me is indeed blessed."

7As they were leaving, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John. "What did you go into the desert to see? Tall grass swaying in the wind? 8Really, what did you go to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Those who wear fine clothes are in royal palaces. 9"Really, what did you go to see? A prophet? Let me tell you that he is far more than a prophet.

10John is the one about whom Scripture says, 'I'm sending my messenger ahead of you to prepare the way in front of you.'

11"I can guarantee this truth: Of all the people ever born, no one is greater than John the Baptizer. Yet, the least important person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John. 12From the time of John the Baptizer until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful people have been seizing it. 13All the Prophets and Moses' Teachings prophesied up to the time of John. 14If you are willing to accept their message, John is the Elijah who was to come. 15Let the person who has ears listen!

16"How can I describe the people who are living now? They are like children who sit in the marketplaces and shout to other children, 17'We played music for you, but you didn't dance. We sang a funeral song, but you didn't show any sadness.' 18"John came neither eating nor drinking, and people say, 'There's a demon in him!' 19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and people say, 'Look at him! He's a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' "Yet, wisdom is proved right by its actions."

20Then Jesus denounced the cities where he had worked most of his miracles because they had not changed the way they thought and acted. 21"How horrible it will be for you, Chorazin! How horrible it will be for you, Bethsaida! If the miracles worked in you had been worked in Tyre and Sidon, they would have changed the way they thought and acted long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22I can guarantee that judgment day will be better for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to heaven? No, you will go down to hell! If the miracles that had been worked in you had been worked in Sodom, it would still be there today. 24I can guarantee that judgment day will be better for Sodom than for you."

25At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for hiding these things from wise and intelligent people and revealing them to little children. 26Yes, Father, this is what pleased you. 27"My Father has turned everything over to me. Only the Father knows the Son. And no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son is willing to reveal him.

28"Come to me, all who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. 29Place my yoke over your shoulders, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble. Then you will find rest for yourselves 30because my yoke is easy and my burden is light."