24 When John’s messengers had departed, he began to tell the multitudes about John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are gorgeously dressed and live delicately are in kings’ courts. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet. 27 This is he of whom it is written,

‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,

who will prepare your way before you.’

28 "For I tell you, amongst those who are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptiser; yet he who is least in God’s Kingdom is greater than he."

29 When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they declared God to be just, having been baptised with John’s baptism. 30 But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the counsel of God, not being baptised by him themselves.