Friend of Tax Collectors
Truly I tell you, among those born
of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the
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 the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and
the law prophesied until John came; and if you are willing to accept
it, he is Elijah who is to come. Let anyone with ears listen! But to what will I compare this
generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and
calling to one another, 'We played the flute for
you, and you did not dance; we wailed,
and you did not mourn.' For John
came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a
demon'; the Son of Man came eating
and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a
drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet
wisdom is vindicated by her deeds." Then he began to reproach
the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done, b…