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Exegetical Notes on Matthew 11:2-11


Exegetical Notes on Matthew 11:2-11

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written,

‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’


“Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

Observations:
John the Baptist is in prison.
He heard the works of Christ
He sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He is the ‘One to come.’
Jesus tells about the good things that have happened. (Quotes Isaiah 35:5-6, 61:1 per Amplified Bible)
  • Blind see
  • Lepers cleansed
  • Deaf hear
  • Dead raised
  • Poor have good news brought to them.
Jesus says blessed are they who take no offense

Jesus spoke to the crowds after John’s disciples left.
John is not one in soft robes.
John is more than a prophet

Jesus says John is “… the messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.”

Jesus also said that no one is greater than John the Baptist, and the least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than John.

Word Studies:
The poor have good news brought to them – euangelizontai – middle part of the word is angel (messenger)

Messenger in v. 10 is angel.  The verb sent is a variation of apostle.

Canonical Context:
This passage comes immediately after Jesus sent out his 12 apostles and gave them lengthy instruction on the hardships they would face.  (Matthew 10)

The remainder of Matthew 11 speaks of the Kingdom of Heaven suffering violence, and that people have not repented despite seeing Jesus’ works.

Interpretations:
John the Baptist is discouraged after being put into prison.
He may have been wondering if it all was worth it.
He is really wondering if Jesus is the Messiah
The image of soft robes in royal palaces could have been a reference to King Herod
The crowds heard the report and questions from John’s disciples and shared in their concerns.  They were probably concerned about John being imprisoned. 
There is a theme in this passage of being sent.  The message isn’t owned by anyone – except God.  The people are entrusted with the message and sent to proclaim it.  Getting mad at the messenger is like getting mad at a computer screen for a website you don’t like.

Historical and Cultural Background:
Herod The Great gained his throne largely through military cooperation with Rome.  He was appointed King of the Jews by the Roman Senate – not by internal mechanism in Judea.

Herod Antipas was tetrarch of Galilee and son of Herod the Great.  He was the one in the NT passage in question.


Correlations:
John was in prison because he spoke out against Herod marrying his sister-in-law.
Herod eventually had him beheaded at the urging of Herodias and Salome.  This urging was done publically after he had given an oath which bound his hands.  Herod did not necessarily want to execute him.

… See I am sending my messenger is a reference to Malachi 3:1.  Interesting that in Malachi the text reads, “ … my messenger to prepare the way before me,” (1st person vs. 2nd person in Matthew.)

Timeless Principles:

The frequent use of the term ‘angel’ suggests that the message of the Gospel is not ours to begin with.  It is God’s message that we are called to proclaim as God’s angels or messengers.  At the same time, we are called on to own the message i.e. to believe it and accept it fully.

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