After John's messengers left, Jesus turned to the crowds. “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed blown around by the wind?”

“A man in fine clothing? People who dress like that live in palaces, not deserts. So what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes — and more than a prophet. This is the one Scripture speaks of: 'I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way.' “I tell you — among everyone ever born, no one is greater than John.” “And yet, the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

When the people heard this, they — even the tax collectors — acknowledged that God was right. They had accepted John's baptism. But the Pharisees and the legal experts had refused it,and in doing so, they rejected what God had planned for them.

Jesus continued: “What can I compare this generation to? They're like children in a marketplacepublicCulturechildren in a marketplaceChildren in the ancient world played at weddings and funerals — they would take turns playing the flute for dancing or singing dirges for mourning. Jesus' point: this generation refuses to play along no matter what. John came with fasting and austerity (funeral-style), and they rejected him. Jesus comes with feasting and inclusion (wedding-style), and they reject him too. Nothing satisfies them., shouting at each other: 'We played wedding music, and you wouldn't dance! We sang funeral songs, and you wouldn't cry!' John came — he didn't eat bread, he didn't drink wine — and you said, 'He has a demon.' The Son of Man came — he eats, he drinks — and you say, 'Look at him. A glutton. A drunk. A friend of tax collectors and sinnerspublicCulturea friend of tax collectors and sinnersIn the honor-shame culture of the first century, eating publicly with people labeled as “sinners” — tax collectors, the ritually unclean, the morally compromised — meant sharing their shame. To call someone “a friend of sinners” was a devastating social accusation. Jesus does not deny the charge. He embraces it..'” He shook his head. “But WisdomlinkContextWisdom (σοφία)“Wisdom” (σοφία) is personified here — a feminine figure in Jewish tradition (Proverbs 8; Sirach 24). John and Jesus are Wisdom's “children.” Their actions — the fruits of their ministry — vindicate the wisdom of God's plan, regardless of how “this generation” responds. The tree is judged by its fruit. is proved right by all her children.”