who came to tell people about the light, so that all should hear the message and believe.

He himself was not the light; he came to tell about the light.

I assure you that John the Baptist is greater than anyone who has ever lived. But the one who is least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than John.

John will be great in the Lord's sight. He must not drink any wine or strong drink. From his very birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit,

He will go ahead of the Lord, strong and mighty like the prophet Elijah. He will bring fathers and children together again; he will turn disobedient people back to the way of thinking of the righteous; he will get the Lord's people ready for him."

I tell you," Jesus added, "John is greater than anyone who has ever lived. But the one who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than John."

So we are even more confident of the message proclaimed by the prophets. You will do well to pay attention to it, because it is like a lamp shining in a dark place until the Day dawns and the light of the morning star shines in your hearts.

Because of this, many of Jesus' followers turned back and would not go with him any more.

So my people crowd in to hear what you have to say, but they don't do what you tell them to do. Loving words are on their lips, but they continue their greedy ways.

People came to him from Jerusalem, from the whole province of Judea, and from all over the country near the Jordan River.

When John saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to him to be baptized, he said to them, "You snakes---who told you that you could escape from the punishment God is about to send?

While John's disciples were leaving, Jesus spoke about him to the crowds: "When you went out to John in the desert, what did you expect to see? A blade of grass bending in the wind?

Tell me, what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes indeed, but you saw much more than a prophet.

The seeds that fell on rocky ground stand for those who receive the message gladly as soon as they hear it.

But it does not sink deep into them, and they don't last long. So when trouble or persecution comes because of the message, they give up at once.

But if we say, 'From human beings,' we are afraid of what the people might do, because they are all convinced that John was a prophet."

Herod was afraid of John because he knew that John was a good and holy man, and so he kept him safe. He liked to listen to him, even though he became greatly disturbed every time he heard him.

You were so happy! What has happened? I myself can say that you would have taken out your own eyes, if you could, and given them to me.

Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?