was John’s baptism from heaven? Or did it come from people?”

约翰的洗礼是从天上来的？是从人间来的呢？”

约翰的洗礼是从天上来的，还是从人间来的呢？”

约翰的洗礼是从天上来的，还是从人间来的呢？”

约翰的洗礼是从天上来的还是从人来的？”

约翰的洗礼是从天上来的，还是从人来的呢？”

约翰的洗礼是来自天上，还是来自人间呢？”

約翰的洗禮是從天上來的？是從人間來的呢？」

約翰的洗禮是從天上來的，還是從人間來的呢？」

約翰的洗禮是從天上來的，還是從人間來的呢？」

約翰的洗禮是從天上來的還是從人來的？」

約翰的洗禮是從天上來的，還是從人來的呢？”

約翰的洗禮是由於天呢？還是由於人？』

約翰的洗禮是來自天上，還是來自人間呢？」

約翰之洗、自天乎、自人乎、

約翰施洗、由天乎、由人乎、

約翰之施洗、自天乎、抑自人乎、

如望之洗禮、自天乎？抑自人乎？』

John’s baptism— was it from heaven, or of human origin?”

was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?”

“ Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?”

was the baptism of John from heaven or of human origin?”

Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?”

The baptism of John— was it from heaven or from men?”

The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?

was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?”

The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?

John’s baptism– was it from heaven or from people?”

the baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?”

As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John. He said,“ What did you go out into the desert to see? Tall grass waving in the wind?If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No. People who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces.Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.He is the one written about in Scripture. It says,“‘ I will send my messenger ahead of you. He will prepare your way for you.’( Malachi 3:1)What I’m about to tell you is true. No one more important than John the Baptist has ever been born. But the least important person in the kingdom of heaven is more important than he is.Since the days of John the Baptist, the kingdom of heaven has been under attack. And violent people are taking hold of it.All the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John came.If you are willing to accept it, John is the Elijah who was supposed to come.Whoever has ears should listen.“ What can I compare today’s people to? They are like children sitting in the markets and calling out to others. They say,“‘ We played the flute for you. But you didn’t dance. We sang a funeral song. But you didn’t become sad.’When John came, he didn’t eat or drink as you do. And people say,‘ He has a demon.’But when the Son of Man came, he ate and drank as you do. And people say,‘ This fellow is always eating and drinking far too much. He’s a friend of tax collectors and“ sinners.” ’ By wise actions wisdom is shown to be right.”

I will get up and go back to my father. I will say to him,“ Father, I have sinned against heaven. And I have sinned against you.

There was a man sent from God. His name was John.

Jesus replied,“ That’s right. Elijah is supposed to come and make all things new again.But I tell you, Elijah has already come. People didn’t recognize him. They have done to him everything they wanted to do. In the same way, they are going to make the Son of Man suffer.”

Where did John’s baptism come from? Was it from heaven? Or did it come from human authority?” They talked to one another about it. They said,“ If we say,‘ From heaven,’ he will ask,‘ Then why didn’t you believe him?’But what if we say,‘ From human authority’? We are afraid of the people. Everyone believes that John was a prophet.”So they answered Jesus,“ We don’t know.” Jesus said,“ Then I won’t tell you by what authority I am doing these things either.“ What do you think about this? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said,‘ Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’“‘ I will not,’ the son answered. But later he changed his mind and went.“ Then the father went to the other son. He said the same thing. The son answered,‘ I will, sir.’ But he did not go.“ Which of the two sons did what his father wanted?”“ The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them,“ What I’m about to tell you is true. Tax collectors and prostitutes will enter the kingdom of God ahead of you.John came to show you the right way to live. And you did not believe him. But the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. You saw this. But even then you did not turn away from your sins and believe him.

You will be driven away from people. You will live with the wild animals. You will eat grass just as an ox does. You will become wet with the dew of heaven. Seven periods of time will pass by for you. Then you will recognize that the Most High God rules over all kingdoms on earth. He gives them to anyone he wants.But he gave a command to leave the stump of the tree along with its roots. That means your kingdom will be given back to you. It will happen when you recognize that the God of heaven rules.

I tell you, no one more important than John has ever been born. But the least important person in God’s kingdom is more important than John is.”All the people who heard Jesus’ words agreed that God’s way was right. Even the tax collectors agreed. These people had all been baptized by John.But the Pharisees and the authorities on the law did not accept for themselves God’s purpose. So they had not been baptized by John.Jesus went on to say,“ What can I compare today’s people to? What are they like?They are like children sitting in the market and calling out to each other. They say,“‘ We played the flute for you. But you didn’t dance. We sang a funeral song. But you didn’t cry.’That is how it has been with John the Baptist. When he came to you, he didn’t eat bread or drink wine. And you say,‘ He has a demon.’But when the Son of Man came, he ate and drank as you do. And you say,‘ This fellow is always eating and drinking far too much. He’s a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’All who follow wisdom prove that wisdom is right.”

The Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask John who he was. John spoke the truth to them.He did not try to hide the truth. He spoke to them openly. He said,“ I am not the Messiah.”They asked him,“ Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said,“ I am not.”“ Are you the Prophet we’ve been expecting?” they asked.“ No,” he answered.They asked one last time,“ Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”John replied, using the words of Isaiah the prophet. John said,“ I’m the messenger who is calling out in the desert,‘ Make the way for the Lord straight.’ ”( Isaiah 40:3)The Pharisees who had been sentasked him,“ If you are not the Messiah, why are you baptizing people? Why are you doing that if you aren’t Elijah or the Prophet we’ve been expecting?”“ I baptize people with water,” John replied.“ But someone is standing among you whom you do not know.He is the one who comes after me. I am not good enough to untie his sandals.”This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan River. That was where John was baptizing.