John the Baptist is in prison and hears reports of what Jesus is doing. Jesus is not doing a desert ministry the way John did. Jesus is doing something very unexpected and John is surprised.
John sends his disciples to ask Jesus a very interesting question - "are you the one who has come? Or should we expect someone else?".
This is a very interesting question from someone who proclaimed that Jesus was the "Holy Lamb of God". It seems that John is experiencing some doubts about Jesus. I am sympathetic to John and think is understandable.
John's ministry has peaked and fallen. In fact, John has been living in prison for some time. We do not know the details of the prison other than he has access to visitors. For all we know, he could be in a dungeon, a jail, or house arrest, but either way, he has a lot of thinking time and he might be getting disillusioned.
That said, he still has disciples. So, there is still a loyal following to him who might even still be fasting for his release. Perhaps it was their fasting that even allowed John to have visitors.
Back to the story, Jesus responds to the disciples to report to John what they see and hear. Jesus mentions the string of miraculous hearings, including that the blind see, the deaf hear, and the lame walk, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. This seems to be a reference to Isaiah 35: 5-6, where it discusses these miraculous headings. Immediately prior to this in Isaiah 35:4, it says that God will come with divine retribution, vengeance, and to save us. Thus, Jesus' point is that the healing events that Jesus cites (Isaiah 35:5-6) are evidence that God has come.
I imagine that the people around Jesus immediately told John's disciples all that they had seen - all the headings and even the widow's son being brought back to life. It is possible, but not specified whether John's disciples saw specific healing miracles by Jesus.
As John's disciples left, Jesus talks to the crowd about John. He makes the point the John prepared the way for Jesus. Further, he says that of those born of women, there was none greater than John the Baptist. Finally, he notes that people had accused John of being demon-possessed because he lived an austere life while Jesus is accused of being a glutton and drunkard because he eats and drinks with sinners.
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