^{7 Ref} And as they are going, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, `What went ye out to the wilderness to view? -- a reed shaken by the wind?

^{8 Ref} `But what went ye out to see? -- a man clothed in soft garments? lo, those wearing the soft things are in the kings' houses.

^{9 Ref} `But what went ye out to see? -- a prophet? yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet,

^{10 Ref} for this is he of whom it hath been written, Lo, I do send My messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.

^{11 Ref} Verily I say to you, there hath not risen, among those born of women, a greater than John the Baptist, but he who is least in the reign of the heavens is greater than he.

^{12 Ref} `And, from the days of John the Baptist till now, the reign of the heavens doth suffer violence, and violent men do take it by force,