When the messengers of John had left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John. “What did you go out to the desert to see—a reed swayed by the wind? 25 Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine garments? Those who dress luxuriously and live sumptuously are found in royal palaces. 26 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom scripture says: ‘Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, he will prepare your way before you.’ 28 I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” 29 (All the people who listened, including the tax collectors, and who were baptized with the baptism of John, acknowledged the righteousness of God; 30 but the Pharisees and scholars of the law, who were not baptized by him, rejected the plan of God for themselves.) 31 “Then to what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? 32 They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’ 33 For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ 35 But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”
John the Baptist was the forerunner to Jesus (Jn. 1:6-9) and “John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins (Mt. 3:4-6).' Jesus, at the beginning of his public ministry, was baptized by JBap and, “After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased (Mt. 3:16-17).”'
Soon after the start of Jesus’ ministry JBap’s disciples had gone to him asking, “Are you the one who is to come (Lk. 7:19)?” Jesus told them to go and tell JBap what they have seen him do (Lk. 7:22-23). Jesus then told the crowd that John was a great prophet sent by God as foretold in the OT (Mal. 3:1). Jesus said that among all human beings there was no one greater than JBap, but the least in the kingdom of God is greater than JBap (v. 28). Everyone listened to Jesus except the Pharisees and Scribes who did not accept God’s plan of righteousness revealed by JBap or Jesus, but the people and tax collectors who accepted the righteousness of God’s plan were baptized by John (vv. 29-30). Jesus did not baptize (Jn. 4:2)
Jesus compared the Pharisees and Scribes to a children game where no matter what game was suggested the children would not play. JBap lived a sober and austere lifestyle, and they did not respond to him (v. 33). Jesus came with a simpler, more welcoming lifestyle and welcomed all but he was also rejected (v. 34). Those who responded to JBap and Jesus were wise enough to recognize the wisdom of God. Those who did not accept Jesus and JBap were close minded, stubborn, foolish, and not wise as they thought.
Almighty God, strengthen us as we try to serve you and grant us the grace to live in your wisdom. Help us not to be self-righteous and judgmental but to show mercy, love, and forgiveness to all and to live our lives so that through faith and perseverance we can inherit eternal life. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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