Matthew 11:3
And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
Original Language Analysis
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 9
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 9
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐρχόμενος
he that should come
G2064
ἐρχόμενος
he that should come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
6 of 9
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Cross References
John 11:27She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.Malachi 3:1Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.Hebrews 10:37For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.Micah 5:2But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Historical Context
Isaiah prophesied messianic age would bring miraculous healings and gospel to the poor. Jesus' ministry fulfilled these prophecies precisely. Jewish expectation included these signs alongside political liberation. Jesus separated the signs, fulfilling healing prophecies while redefining messianic kingdom as primarily spiritual. His answer to John appeals to Scripture's authority: prophecy being fulfilled proves messianic identity. Early Christians used this same apologetic: Jesus fulfilled prophecy, therefore He is Messiah (Acts 2:22-36).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' appeal to evidence strengthen faith amid doubt?
- What role should observable fulfillment of Scripture play in confirming faith?
- How can we point doubting believers to objective evidences of God's faithfulness?
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus doesn't directly answer 'yes' but provides evidence: 'Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see' (πορευθεντες απαγγειλατε Ιωαννη α ακουετε και βλεπετε). Jesus appeals to observable facts: what they 'hear and see' (ακουετε και βλεπετε). He then lists miracles: 'The blind receive their 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.' This catalog echoes Isaiah 35:5-6 and 61:1—messianic prophecies. Jesus essentially says: examine the evidence; Messiah's credentials are present. Faith rests not on subjective feelings but objective fulfillment of Scripture. The evidence authenticates Jesus' identity.