Mateo 11:7-8

As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus took the opportunity to speak to the crowd about John. Reeds of cane grass grew abundantly along the Jordan River banks. A reed blown by the wind represents a person easily swayed by public opinion or circumstances. The multitudes certainly did not go into the Judean wilderness to view such a common sight. They did not go out to see a man in soft, even effeminate clothes (Gr. malakos) either. Such people lived in palaces. Jesus probably alluded derogatorily to Herod who had imprisoned John. Herod wore soft garments, but John wore rough garments (cf. Matthew 3:4-6).

By replying this way Jesus was allaying public suspicion that John’s question might have arisen from a vacillating character or undisciplined weakness. John’s question did not arise from a deficient character but from misunderstanding concerning Messiah’s ministry. Jesus was defending John.