John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 11:9
But what went ye out for to see? .... Since it was not any thing so mean as a shaking reed, or so grand as a man in gay clothing, pray what was it you went out to see? A prophet? This was the truth of the matter, they expected to see a prophet, and they believed he was one; this was the common voice of the people; all held John to be a prophet. This made Herod afraid to put him to death, and the Pharisees to speak against his baptism: now, though this was giving him a great character, to... read more
John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 11:8
But what went ye out for to see? .... Since it cannot be thought it was to see the reeds in the wilderness blow to and fro by the wind, or a man like one of them, either in gesture or doctrine; was it to see a man clothed in soft raiment? In raiment made of soft materials, as fine wool, cotton, silk, &c.; such as Mecaenos wore, and who was therefore called Malacinus F25 Alex. ab Alex. Genial Dier. 1. 5. c. 18. : one finely dressed, and richly apparelled, draws the eyes of... read more