Matthew 11 4

Matthew 11:4 kjv

Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:

Matthew 11:4 nkjv

Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:

Matthew 11:4 niv

Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see:

Matthew 11:4 esv

And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see:

Matthew 11:4 nlt

Jesus told them, "Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen ?

Matthew 11 verses

Matthew 11 4 Meaning

Jesus responds to John the Baptist's disciples by directing them to observe and report His miraculous deeds and teachings. These works, including healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, mobility to the lame, raising the dead, and proclaiming good news to the poor, serve as the tangible and prophetic proof of His identity as the long-awaited Messiah.

Matthew 11 4 Context

Matthew chapter 11 opens with John the Baptist, now imprisoned, sending his disciples to Jesus with a direct question: "Are you the Coming One, or do we look for another?" This query suggests John, despite having previously identified Jesus as the Lamb of God, might have been grappling with doubt, perhaps due to Jesus's ministry not aligning with the popular expectation of a fiery, judgmental Messiah who would immediately establish an earthly kingdom and overthrow Rome. John himself had preached a Messiah who would come "with a winnowing fork in His hand" (Mt 3:12). In response, Jesus does not provide a simple "yes" or "no" answer. Instead, in verse 4, He instructs John's disciples to go and report the specific miraculous works they had witnessed and heard. This indirect reply subtly yet powerfully directs them (and by extension, John) to compare Jesus's ministry with the prophetic descriptions of the Messiah found in the Old Testament, particularly those highlighting restoration, healing, and compassion, rather than immediate judgment or political uprising. The historical Jewish context involved fervent Messianic expectations, often highly militaristic, which Jesus intentionally redefines through His acts of mercy and teaching, presenting a kingdom focused on healing and salvation before final judgment.

Matthew 11 4 Word analysis

• Jesus answered (Ἀποκριθεὶς [Apokritheis]) and said (εἶπεν [eïpen]):
  • Ἀποκριθεὶς (Apokritheis): Aorist passive participle of ἀποκρίνω (apokrinō), meaning "to answer, respond." While grammatically passive, its function here is active: "having answered." This emphasizes that Jesus's words are a direct, deliberate response to John's specific inquiry. It signifies a profound, thought-out reply rather than a casual statement.
  • εἶπεν (eïpen): Aorist active indicative of λέγω (legō), "to say, speak." It denotes a simple, factual statement following the answering action. The combination emphasizes a clear, authoritative pronouncement.
• to them, ‘Go (πορευθέντες [poreuthentes]) and tell (ἀπαγγείλατε [apanggeilate]) John (Ἰωάννῃ [Iōannē])':
  • πορευθέντες (poreuthentes): Aorist passive participle of πορεύομαι (poreuomai), meaning "to go, travel, proceed." Again, functioning actively, "having gone." This is an immediate command for action, a specific directive to physically leave Jesus's presence and travel to John. It implies an important mission requiring movement.
  • ἀπαγγείλατε (apanggeilate): Aorist active imperative of ἀπαγγέλλω (apanggellō), meaning "to report, announce, make known, tell tidings." This is a forceful command. John's disciples are not to merely recount stories but to formally report verifiable observations. This term suggests conveying news with authority and completeness.
  • Ἰωάννῃ (Iōannē): Dative singular of Ἰωάννης (Iōannēs), "John." Specific recipient of the report. The entire instruction is precisely for John, who posed the question.
• what you hear (ἀκούετε [akouete]) and see (καὶ βλέπετε [kai blepete]):
  • ἀκούετε (akouete): Present active indicative of ἀκούω (akouō), meaning "to hear, listen." The present tense denotes continuous, ongoing action. This isn't about one single event but repeated occurrences of hearing, encompassing Jesus's teachings, His authoritative proclamations, and the sounds associated with healings or deliverances. It underscores the auditory evidence of His ministry.
  • καὶ βλέπετε (kai blepete): Present active indicative of βλέπω (blepō), meaning "to see, perceive, behold." Also present tense, indicating continuous, ongoing observation. This refers to the tangible, visible miracles: the blind receiving sight, the lame walking, the dead being raised. It emphasizes eyewitness testimony of observable phenomena.
• Words-Group Analysis:
  • "Go and tell John what you hear and see": This phrase constitutes Jesus's strategy for addressing doubt and affirming His identity. It bypasses a direct verbal affirmation, which could be misconstrued or manipulated, in favor of concrete, verifiable evidence. By sending the disciples back as eyewitnesses, Jesus not only answers John's question but also invites critical examination of His ministry in light of Old Testament prophecy. The combination of "hear" (implying teaching, authority, proclamation) and "see" (implying visible miracles and acts of power) provides comprehensive proof of the holistic nature of His Messianic work. This command also highlights the role of witnesses in spreading the truth of the Gospel, not just relaying a message, but reporting an observed reality. It points to a kingdom built on tangible demonstrations of divine power and compassion.

Matthew 11 4 Bonus section

• Jesus's method of "showing" rather than "telling" His identity mirrors God's past self-revelation through mighty acts (e.g., the Exodus, miraculous provisions in the wilderness). It affirms that God works in visible ways to validate His divine messengers and their message.
• The dual emphasis on "hearing" (teachings, pronouncements of good news) and "seeing" (physical miracles) confirms that Jesus's ministry was comprehensive: transforming lives both spiritually (through the Word) and physically (through healing).
• This interaction underscores that authentic faith, while spiritual, is often rooted in objective, verifiable evidence of God's work. Jesus consistently appealed to His works as proof (Jn 10:25; Jn 14:11).
• For John, who may have expected a fiery judge, Jesus's response redirects his focus to the "gentle" aspects of the Messianic office – compassion, healing, and kingdom restoration – thereby challenging preconceived notions of the "Coming One."

Matthew 11 4 Commentary

Jesus's response to John the Baptist's probing question is a masterful affirmation of His Messiahship, yet one delivered through evidence rather than a mere declaration. By instructing John's disciples to report "what you hear and see," Jesus implicitly directs them to Old Testament prophecies (e.g., Isa 35:5-6, Isa 61:1) that describe the works of the Messiah: bringing sight to the blind, healing the lame, unstopping deaf ears, and proclaiming good news to the poor. His acts of compassion and power, rather than a political overthrow, are the defining characteristics of His present kingdom. This strategy serves several purposes: it educates John (and his disciples) about the true nature of the Messiah's mission (one of restoration before judgment), it grounds faith in observable reality, and it establishes His miracles as irrefutable signs of His divine authority and identity as God's anointed One.