Matthew 11:4
Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 13
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀποκριθεὶς
answered
G611
ἀποκριθεὶς
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
2 of 13
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 13
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 13
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
Πορευθέντες
Go
G4198
Πορευθέντες
Go
Strong's:
G4198
Word #:
7 of 13
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
ἃ
those things which
G3739
ἃ
those things which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
10 of 13
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Historical Context
John's imprisonment by Herod Antipas (for condemning Herod's unlawful marriage to Herodias) lasted months before his execution (Matthew 14:3-12). In that dark cell, John questioned whether Jesus was fulfilling Messianic expectations. Where was the judgment John had preached (Matthew 3:10-12)? Why was the kingdom not manifesting in power? Jesus's answer reminded John that Messianic work was unfolding according to Scripture, though not according to human expectations.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus pointing to observable evidence encourage us to ground our faith in objective truth rather than subjective feelings?
- What does Jesus's patient response to John's doubt teach us about how God deals with His people when circumstances shake their confidence?
- How can we, like Jesus, point doubters to evidence of God's work rather than merely asserting truth or condemning their questions?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see. John the Baptist, imprisoned by Herod, sent disciples asking 'Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?' (Matthew 11:3). Jesus's response directs them to evidence: 'those things which ye do hear and see' (ἃ ἀκούετε καὶ βλέπετε/ha akouete kai blepete). Faith rests on objective facts, not subjective feelings.
Jesus then lists His works (verse 5): the blind see, lame walk, lepers cleansed, deaf hear, dead raised, poor hear gospel. These fulfill Isaiah's prophecies of the Messianic age (Isaiah 29:18-19, 35:5-6, 61:1). Jesus offers evidence, not merely assertion. 'Look at what I'm doing,' He says. 'Does this not confirm I am the promised One?'
This response shows Jesus's compassion for doubting believers. John, the forerunner who proclaimed Christ, now wavers in prison's darkness. Jesus doesn't condemn but provides evidence to strengthen faith. He later commends John as the greatest prophet (Matthew 11:11), showing that even great saints may experience doubt when circumstances press hard.