Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Matthew 11:2 - 11:6
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat_11:2-6
2Now when John, while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3and said to Him, "Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?" 4Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and report to John what you see: 5 the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6And blessed is he who does not take offense at Me."
Mat_11:2 "John, while imprisoned" John the Baptist was imprisoned in Machaerus (Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews. 18.5.2), one of the fortresses of Herod Antipas. It is on the eastern side of the Dead Sea. Herod had imprisoned John for preaching against his marriage to Herod Phillip's former wife, Herodias. Antipas wooed her away from Phillip during a visit to Rome (cf. Josephus' Antiq. 18:5:2).
▣ "Christ" The term "Christ" equals the OT term Messiah which meant "an Anointed One." It was used in the sense of God's special call and equipping. In the OT, prophets, priests, and kings were anointed. Jesus fulfills all three of these anointed functions (cf. Heb_1:1-3). King Cyrus of the Persian Empire, who was an unbeliever, was even called God's anointed (cf. Isa_44:28; Isa_45:1).
Mat_11:3 "Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else" This was a Messianic title (cf. Psa_118:26; alluded to often, Mat_21:9; Mat_23:39; Mar_11:9; Luk_13:35; Luk_19:38; Joh_6:14; Joh_11:27; Joh_12:13; and Heb_10:37). See Special Topic at Mat_8:20.
In Luk_1:15 John was filled with the Spirit, but he still had doubts. Several theories explain John's doubting.
1. John was discouraged because he was in prison
2. John Calvin says that this was his way of referring his disciples to Jesus
3. Jesus was not acting in the expected manner (cf. Mat_3:7-12)
"Someone else" is the Greek term heteros which meant, in Classical Greek, "another of a different kind." John expected a message of judgment from the Messiah, instead Jesus offered salvation to all.
Mat_11:4-5 "Jesus answered and said to them" Mat_11:5 is a quote from Isaiah. It is debated whether it was from Isa_26:19; Isa_29:18-19; Isa_35:5-6; or Isa_61:1. It does emphasize the ministry of the Messiah as a ministry of compassion and the healing of the poor and outcast.
Mat_11:5 "Gospel" The noun form (euangelion, over 60 times in Paul's writings) is found in Matt. Mat_4:23; Mat_9:35; Mat_24:14; and matt Mat_26:13. The verb form (euangelizumai) is found only here in Matthew (not in John). This word describes the contents of Jesus' message, "good news." It includes the "bad news" of the sin and separation of all humans from God, but continues in the offer of forgiveness, restoration, and eternal salvation for all in faith in Christ. The good news of victory in the spiritual conflict!
Mat_11:6 This was a gentle rebuke of John's lack of faith. The Bible depicts its characters in both positive and negative ways. This shows its credibility. It was not propaganda, but true historical people and their feelings and faults!
Matthew chose to record this because it gets back to the major theological issue-who is Jesus?