Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to focus on John's potential doubt here, but the text hints at a deeper motive: John sent his disciples not primarily for himself, but for them. He had labored to point them to Jesus, and seeing they still hesitated, he used this situation to ensure they would personally witness Christ's identity, rather than just hearing John's testimony.
Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just finished commissioning his twelve disciples, sending them out to preach and teach. Meanwhile, John the Baptist, imprisoned by Herod, hears reports of Jesus' powerful deeds. This leads John to send some of his own followers to ask Jesus directly if he is the prophesied Messiah.
Even the greatest prophets can face moments of doubt. What led John the Baptist, Jesus' own forerunner, to send messengers asking if Jesus was truly the Messiah?
John the Baptist, a man who had boldly proclaimed Jesus as the Lamb of God, found himself imprisoned by Herod. While confined, he heard about Jesus' powerful deeds. This verse reveals that John sent two of his disciples to Jesus with a crucial question: 'Are you the one who is to come, or should we wait for another?'
This wasn't necessarily about John's own faith faltering. The scholars suggest it was more about confirming Jesus' identity for his own disciples, who were struggling with doubt due to John's imprisonment and Jesus' less austere lifestyle compared to their own. John, like any good shepherd, sought to lead his followers to the true shepherd, Jesus, even if it meant addressing his own followers' confusion.
How did Jesus respond to a question that could have been seen as doubt? His answer wasn't just words, but a display of divine power that pointed directly to ancient prophecies.
Jesus' reply to John's messengers is profound. Instead of a simple 'yes,' he directs them to witness his actions: 'Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.'
This response is deliberate and powerful. Jesus is not only demonstrating his messianic authority through miracles but is also directly fulfilling prophecies found in Isaiah. By performing these specific acts—healing the blind, the lame, the deaf, and cleansing lepers—Jesus shows John (and his disciples) that his ministry aligns perfectly with the signs of the coming Messiah described in Scripture. This strategic answer validates John's understanding while providing tangible evidence for the hesitant disciples.
Ask a follow-up
Jesus concludes his message with a statement about being 'offended.' What does this mean, and why is it so crucial in understanding the Messiah's identity?
After detailing the signs of his messianic work, Jesus adds a crucial warning: 'And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.' This speaks to the potential for stumbling blocks in recognizing Jesus as the Messiah. John's disciples, and perhaps even John himself, might have expected a Messiah who would immediately liberate John from prison or establish a more overt, politically powerful kingdom.
Jesus' ministry, characterized by healing the sick, preaching to the poor, and embracing a humble path, contrasted sharply with the worldly expectations of a conquering king. The 'offense' arises from the discrepancy between these expectations and the reality of Jesus' humble, suffering servant approach. Jesus is essentially saying, 'My path is not what you might expect, and many will reject me because of it. But those who can look beyond earthly power and embrace my true identity, despite the difficulties, will be blessed.'
Understand the original words
Christos · Greek Noun
The Greek title 'Christos,' meaning 'Anointed One,' refers to the promised Messiah of the Old Testament, the One chosen and empowered by God to bring salvation and establish His kingdom.
John the Baptist, a pivotal figure who prepared the way for Jesus, was imprisoned while Jesus' ministry began to flourish. This led to John's poignant question to Jesus, reflecting not doubt in Jesus' identity, but a desire to strengthen his own disciples' faith amidst their own confusion and discouragement.
c. AD 28
John the Baptist begins ministry
John the Baptist begins his public ministry in the wilderness of Judea, preaching repentance and baptizing people. Jesus is also baptized by John around this time.
c. AD 28-29
John imprisons
John the Baptist is imprisoned by Herod Antipas for boldly denouncing his unlawful marriage. This likely occurred shortly after Jesus' baptism and the start of Jesus' public ministry.
c. AD 29— this verse
Jesus begins Galilean ministry
After John's imprisonment and the commissioning of his twelve disciples, Jesus begins his public teaching and healing ministry in Galilee.
c. AD 29
John sends disciples to Jesus
While in prison, John hears about Jesus' ministry and sends his own disciples to ask Jesus directly if he is the expected Messiah.
c. AD 29
Jesus answers John's disciples
Jesus responds to John's messengers by pointing to his miracles and the preaching of the Gospel to the poor, fulfilling prophecies.
Jesus directly quotes these verses to John's disciples as evidence of his identity, showing how the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy was a key way to recognize the Messiah.
Luke 7:18-23This parallel account from Luke provides additional details on Jesus' response, emphasizing the miracles performed as proof and the blessing for not being 'offended' in Him.
John 1:29-34This passage highlights John the Baptist's earlier, clear testimony of Jesus as the Lamb of God and the one on whom the Spirit descended, providing a backdrop to his later inquiry from prison.
Psalm 22:1-18This Messianic psalm describes suffering and rejection, which resonates with John's situation and Jesus' warning about being 'offended' in Him, showing the Messianic expectation often clashed with reality.
1 Corinthians 1:23The Apostle Paul echoes the theme of offense concerning the cross, showing that the 'crucified Christ' was a stumbling block to many, just as Jesus' humble ministry and John's imprisonment might have been to John's disciples.
calvinMatthew 11:1-6: "And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities."
- And it happened that when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, [4] he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. 2. Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3. And said to him, Art thou he who was to come, or do we look for another? 4. And Jesus answeri…
bensonMatthew 11:2: "Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,"
Matthew 11:2-6 . Now when John had heard in the prison (into which he had been cast by Herod Antipas, a little after he began his public ministry, chap. Matthew 4:12 , and Matthew 14:3 , &c.) of the works of Christ — That is, of some of his many miracles, &c. — He sent two of his disciples — Not, as is probable, because he doubted himself, but to confirm their faith. And said, Art thou he th…
It's easy to focus on John's potential doubt here, but the text hints at a deeper motive: John sent his disciples not primarily for himself, but for them. He had labored to point them to Jesus, and seeing they still hesitated, he used this situation to ensure they would personally witness Christ's identity, rather than just hearing John's testimony.
Jesus has just finished commissioning his twelve disciples, sending them out to preach and teach. Meanwhile, John the Baptist, imprisoned by Herod, hears reports of Jesus' powerful deeds. This leads John to send some of his own followers to ask Jesus directly if he is the prophesied Messiah.
Jesus has just finished commissioning his twelve disciples, sending them out to preach and teach. Meanwhile, John the Baptist, imprisoned by Herod, hears reports of Jesus' powerful deeds. This leads John to send some of his own followers to ask Jesus directly if he is the prophesied Messiah.
"Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples" — It's easy to focus on John's potential doubt here, but the text hints at a deeper motive: John sent his disciples not primarily for himself, but for them. He had labored to point them to Jesus, and s…
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Last reviewed October 2026