Matthew 11:2-15 (Forerunner)

Matthew 11:2-15 (Forerunner)

^{(Also read on the 4th Monday after Pentecost)}

At that time, when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples  and said to him, “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?”  And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see:  the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.  And blessed is he who takes no offense at me.”  As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind?  Why then did you go out? To see a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, those who wear soft raiment are in kings’ houses.  Why then did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.  This is he of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.’  Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.  From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and men of violence take it by force.  For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John;  and if you are willing to accept it, he is Eli’jah who is to come.