Matthew 11:4 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 11:1-6

The first verse of this chapter some join to the foregoing chapter, and make it (not unfitly) the close of that. 1. The ordination sermon which Christ preached to his disciples in the foregoing chapter is here called his commanding them. Note, Christ's commissions imply commands. Their preaching of the gospel was not only permitted them, but it was enjoined them. It was not a thing respecting which they were left at their liberty, but necessity was laid upon them, 1 Cor. 9:16. The promises he... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 11:1-30

Matthew 11:1-30 is a chapter in which Jesus is speaking all the time; and, as he speaks to different people and about different things, we hear the accent of his voice vary and change. It will be of the greatest interest to look one by one at the six accents in the voice of Jesus. The Accent Of Confidence ( Matthew 11:1-6 ) 11:1-6 And when Jesus had completed his instructions to the twelve disciples, he left there to go on teaching and to go on making his proclamation in their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 11:4

Jesus answered and said unto them ,.... Not by an express declaration, that he was the Messiah that was to come, and they were not to look for any other; but he bids them go, and show John again, those things which ye do hear and see . Christ would have them go back to John in prison, and relate to him the doctrines which they had heard preached by him to the poor; and the miracles which they had seen with their own eyes, then wrought by him; as well as many others, which were attested... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 11:4

Go and show John the things - ye do hear and see - Christ would have men to judge only of him and of others by their works. This is the only safe way of judging. A man is not to be credited because he professes to know such and such things; but because he demonstrates by his conduct that his pretensions are not vain. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 11:4

Verse 4 4.Go and relate to John As John had assumed for the time a new character, so Christ enjoins them to carry to him that message, which more properly ought to have been addressed to his disciples. He gives an indirect reply, and for two reasons: first, because it was better that the thing should speak for itself; and, secondly, because he thus afforded to his herald a larger subject of instruction. Nor does he merely supply him with bare and rough materials in the miracles, but adapts the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 11:1-6

The message of John. I. His QUESTION . 1 . Its cause. He had heard the works of Christ. He was in prison, in the gloomy fortress of Machaerus. He had been there six months at least, perhaps much longer. But he was not kept wholly without knowledge of the outer world; his disciples were allowed access to him; they related to him the mighty works of the great Prophet of Galilee. Nothing could interest John more deeply. The works were the works of the Christ, the Messiah; such as were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 11:1-6

The credentials of Messiah. The precepts of the charge which Jesus had given to his disciples are here called his commands. Christ's commissions are commands (cf. Psalms 105:8 ; 1 Corinthians 9:16 ). He "made an end of commanding." The instructions of Christ are complete. Then "he departed to teach," more privately, "and preach," publicly, "in their cities." His ministry leaves men without excuse. "Now when John had heard in prison," etc. We have here— I. THE INQUIRY OF JOHN... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 11:1-11

John's inquiry. I. THE MOTIVE OF THIS INQUIRY OF JOHN 'S is not at once apparent. What was causing him perplexity, if not disappointment, about our Lord? He was disappointed because the works he heard of were not the kind of works he had himself expected the Messiah to perform. His own work had been to denounce prevailing iniquities, and to predict the advent of One who should cleanse with fire where he cleansed with water; who would come in the same spirit as himself, but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.