²⁴ When the messengers of John had left, He began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the ^[a]wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? ^25 [b]But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who are splendidly clothed and live in luxury are found in royal palaces! ²⁶ But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. ²⁷ This is the one about whom it is written:

²⁸ I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is ^[d]least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” ²⁹ When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they acknowledged ^(B)God’s justice, ^(C)having been baptized with ^(D)the baptism of John.