Dual Panel1When Jesus had finished giving instructions to his twelve disciples, he went from there to teach and preach in the neighbouring towns.
Recognizing the Messiah
2JOHN, who was in prison, heard what Christ was doing, and sent his own disciples
3to put this question to him: “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to expect someone else?”
4Jesus answered, “Go and report to John what you hear and see:
5the blind recover their sight, the lame walk, lepers are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, the poor are brought good news --
6and blessed are those who do not find me an obstacle to faith.”
7When the messengers were on their way back, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What was the spectacle that drew you to the wilderness? A reed swaying in the wind?
8No? Then what did you go out to see? A man dressed in finery? Fine clothes are to be found in palaces.
9But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes indeed, and far more than a prophet.
10He is the man of whom scripture says, Here is my herald, whom I send ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.
11“Truly I tell you: among all who have ever been born, no one has been greater than John the Baptist, and yet the least in the kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.
12“Since the time of John the Baptist the kingdom of Heaven has been subjected to violence and violent men are taking it by force.
13For until John, all the prophets and the law foretold things to come;
14and John is the destined Elijah, if you will but accept it.
15If you have ears, then hear.
16“How can I describe this generation? They are like children sitting in the market-place and calling to each other,
17We piped for you and you would not dance. We lamented, and you would not mourn.
18“For John came, neither eating nor drinking, and people say, ‘He is possessed’;
19the Son of Man came, eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drinker, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!’ Yet God's wisdom is proved right by its results.”
20THEN he spoke of the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, and denounced them for their impenitence.
21“Alas for you, Chorazin!” he said. “Alas for you, Bethsaida! If the miracles performed in you had taken place in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22But it will be more bearable, I tell you, for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgement than for you.
23As for you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles performed in you had taken place in Sodom, Sodom would be standing to this day.
24But it will be more bearable, I tell you, for the land of Sodom on the day of judgement than for you.”
25At that time Jesus spoke these words: “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for hiding these things from the learned and wise, and revealing them to the simple.
26Yes, Father, such was your choice.
27Everything is entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son but the Father, and no one knows the Father but the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28“Come to me, all who are weary and whose load is heavy; I will give you rest.
29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble-hearted; and you will find rest for your souls.
30For my yoke is easy to wear, my load is light.”