Matthew 11 8

Matthew 11:8 kjv

But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.

Matthew 11:8 nkjv

But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.

Matthew 11:8 niv

If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces.

Matthew 11:8 esv

What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.

Matthew 11:8 nlt

Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces.

Matthew 11 verses

Matthew 11 8 Meaning

This verse is part of Jesus' discourse to the crowds about John the Baptist. Having sent John's disciples back with a message, Jesus turns to challenge the multitude regarding their understanding and expectations of John. The question "But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing?" is rhetorical, implying an emphatic "No." John's appearance was distinctly not one of luxury. The subsequent statement, "Look, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' palaces," provides the reason: luxurious apparel is associated with royalty, wealth, and the ease of court life, the very antithesis of John the Baptist's rugged, ascetic life in the wilderness. Jesus underscores that John's authority and message did not stem from worldly power or comfort but from his divine calling and prophetic authenticity.

Matthew 11 8 Context

Matthew chapter 11 opens with John the Baptist, imprisoned by Herod, sending his disciples to ask Jesus, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" Jesus responds by pointing to His miracles as evidence of His identity, echoing Messianic prophecies (Isa 35:5-6, 61:1). Immediately after dismissing John's disciples, Jesus turns to the crowds who had followed John, using a series of rhetorical questions to prompt them to reflect on their own expectations of John. The preceding verse (11:7) asks if they went out to see "a reed shaken by the wind," signifying a weak or easily swayed person. Verse 8 continues this line of questioning, now challenging the notion that John was a man of luxury and worldly comfort. By emphasizing John's harsh desert existence, his camel's hair clothing, and locust and wild honey diet (Mt 3:4), Jesus sharply contrasts John with the comfortable figures found in royal courts. This not only clarifies John's true nature as a powerful, authentic prophet of God—who did not conform to worldly expectations or seek royal favor—but also guides the crowd toward a deeper spiritual understanding of God's work, which often operates outside of human notions of power, wealth, or societal influence.

Matthew 11 8 Word analysis

• But (ἀλλὰ - alla): A strong adversative conjunction, serving as a transition and marking a contrast from the previous question (v. 7). It introduces a shift in focus and heightens the rhetorical force of Jesus' query, implying that the answer to the previous question ("a reed shaken by the wind?") was negative, and now He poses another possibility for their seeking.
• what (τί - ti): An interrogative pronoun, signaling a direct question about the purpose or nature of their going out. It probes the intent and expectation behind their journey to see John.
• did you go out (ἐξήλθατε - exēlthate): A past tense verb (aorist indicative), referring to the crowds' past action of leaving the towns and cities to travel to the wilderness where John was baptizing. It signifies a deliberate journey, not an accidental encounter, underscoring that they had an active purpose.
• to see (ἰδεῖν - idein): An infinitive verb, meaning "to behold," "to observe," "to perceive." It points to the object of their gaze and their intent in going. What precisely were they looking for or expecting to find?
• A man (ἄνθρωπον - anthrōpon): A common noun for a human being. It refers to John the Baptist as a physical person, making the inquiry very specific.
• dressed in soft (ἐν μαλακοῖς - en malakois):
  • ἐν (en): The preposition "in," indicating the manner or material.
  • μαλακοῖς (malakois): The plural form of malakos, meaning "soft," "delicate," "luxurious," "effeminate." In classical Greek, it could carry a negative connotation of lacking virility or discipline. Here, it clearly refers to the quality of the clothing, implying expensive, comfortable, perhaps silk-like garments. It stands in stark contrast to the coarse camel's hair and leather that John actually wore (Mt 3:4), which symbolized austerity, repentance, and prophetic tradition.
• clothing (ἱματίοις - himatiois): The plural noun for "garments," "clothing." It confirms malakois is describing attire. This pairing specifically describes opulent, soft robes, worn for comfort and display of wealth.
• Look (ἰδοὺ - idou): An emphatic interjection meaning "Behold!" or "See!" It draws immediate attention to the statement that follows, highlighting its importance and certainty. It acts as a verbal exclamation mark, emphasizing the ensuing declaration.
• those who wear (οἱ τὰ φοροῦντες - hoi ta phorountes): A participle phrase, literally "those wearing the [things]," referring to a category of people.
  • τὰ (ta): The article "the" implying "the soft things" understood.
  • φοροῦντες (phorountes): From phoreō, meaning "to wear frequently" or "to be clad in," suggesting habitual use of such attire, typical of a certain lifestyle.
• soft clothing (μαλακὰ - malaka): Used again, emphasizing the luxurious nature of the apparel. The contrast with John is absolute.
• are in (εἰσίν - eisin): The plural form of the verb "to be," indicating present reality and location.
• kings' palaces (τοῖς οἴκοις τῶν βασιλέων - tois oikois tōn basileōn):
  • τοῖς οἴκοις (tois oikois): "In the houses" or "palaces." The plural indicates places where kings reside and exert their authority, implying centers of worldly power, comfort, and perhaps corruption.
  • τῶν βασιλέων (tōn basileōn): "Of the kings." Genitive plural, designating ownership or association. This directly points to the royal courts.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing?": This rhetorical question highlights a fundamental mismatch between John's true identity and what superficial observers might expect from a prominent figure. It forces the listeners to reconsider their criteria for assessing a prophet. It implicitly rebukes seeking sensationalism or worldly prestige rather than spiritual authenticity.
  • "Look, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' palaces.": This statement functions as an axiomatic truth. It grounds the earlier rhetorical question in a common reality. John's rejection of soft clothing meant he was explicitly not found in Herod's court (though he was later imprisoned there) but in the wilderness, thereby underscoring his spiritual independence and divine mandate. It creates a profound disjunction between worldly power/luxury and prophetic truth. It also subtly condemns the opulence and self-indulgence found in such palaces, contrasting it with the kingdom values John represented.

Matthew 11 8 Bonus section

The juxtaposition of "soft clothing" and "kings' palaces" served as a subtle but powerful polemic against the Herodian elite and the prevailing values of the Roman-influenced Jewish society. While John had been fearless in denouncing Herod's immorality, his ascetic lifestyle itself was a stark, living sermon against the self-indulgence common among rulers. True prophets in the biblical tradition often lived simple, even harsh, lives, signifying their devotion to God alone and their detachment from worldly temptations (e.g., Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah). John exemplified this prophetic tradition. Furthermore, this verse lays groundwork for Jesus' own life, which, though not ascetic like John's, similarly avoided worldly comforts and positions of power, culminating in a death that exemplified humility rather than worldly triumph.

Matthew 11 8 Commentary

Matthew 11:8 profoundly reveals Jesus' assessment of John the Baptist, contrasting him sharply with prevailing societal expectations and symbols of worldly power. John, an austere wilderness prophet clothed in camel's hair, could never be mistaken for someone "dressed in soft clothing"—the garb of wealth, comfort, and courtly luxury. By this vivid contrast, Jesus implies that authentic divine messengers are rarely found in places of ease or power. His authority and message are divinely sourced, not derived from human institutions or patronage. This verse subtly challenges the crowd to look beyond superficial appearances and worldly status symbols when discerning spiritual truth. It suggests that truth often emerges from humble, inconvenient, or even desolate places, far removed from the opulent centers of worldly influence.