and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
John's question, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" isn't just about Jesus' identity, but also about how the Messiah's kingdom would arrive. John expected a swift, fiery judgment, and Jesus' ongoing works of healing, though powerful, didn't immediately fit that picture, highlighting a tension between divine power and human expectations of its manifestation.
and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
John the Baptist, languishing in prison, sends his disciples to Jesus with a crucial question about his identity as the prophesied Messiah. This comes after Jesus has commissioned his own disciples and begun ministering more broadly, and it sets the stage for Jesus to respond by pointing to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in his miraculous deeds, especially to prove his identity to John and his disciples.
John the Baptist, a powerful voice in the wilderness, finds himself in prison. His certainty about Jesus begins to waver. What does this tell us about faith during difficult times?
John had boldly proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah. He had seen the Spirit descend and heard God's voice. Yet, languishing in prison, his unwavering assurance falters.
This isn't a sign of John's weak faith, but a testament to the immense pressure of prolonged suffering and the 'sickness of deferred hope,' as Ellicott puts it. Even for a prophet like John, waiting for God's kingdom to be established as expected can lead to profound questioning.
Why the doubt?
Instead of a simple 'yes' or 'no,' Jesus sends John's messengers back with a specific report. Why did Jesus choose this indirect method?
Jesus doesn't directly answer John's question with words alone. Instead, He directs the messengers to 'Go and tell John what you hear and see' (Matthew 11:4).
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This powerful response is multi-faceted:
Fulfilling Prophecy: Jesus is demonstrating that His actions are the very signs the Old Testament prophets predicted for the Messiah. He quotes Isaiah (26, 35, 61) indirectly through the report:
Empowering Disciples: By sending the messengers back with this report, Jesus allows John's disciples (and John himself) to witness firsthand the confirmation of Jesus' identity through His works. It also gives John's disciples tangible evidence to carry back, potentially strengthening their own wavering faith.
Indirect Vindication: Calvin notes that this 'indirect reply' allows the 'thing to speak for itself' and provides 'larger subject of instruction.' Jesus trusts His works to speak the truth.
Jesus concludes His message to John with a pointed statement about offense. What does it mean to be 'offended' in Christ, and why is it so critical?
The final part of Jesus' response is crucial: 'And blessed is the one who is not offended because of me' (Matthew 11:6).
What is 'Offense'? The word here doesn't just mean being mildly annoyed. It refers to a stumbling block – something that causes you to trip, fall, or turn away from faith. It's a cause for spiritual ruin.
Why Christ is a Stumbling Block:
The Blessing: Jesus pronounces a blessing on those who don't stumble. This suggests that overcoming offense requires a deliberate choice to trust God's revealed truth, even when it clashes with our understanding or circumstances. It requires looking beyond the outward appearance to the divine reality.
John the Baptist, a pivotal figure expecting a powerful, kingdom-establishing Messiah, finds himself imprisoned and facing the apparent delay of that kingdom. His question to Jesus, 'Are you the one to come, or should we look for another?' reflects the tension between prophetic expectations and the unfolding reality of Jesus' ministry, which focused on healing and the proclamation of the Gospel to the poor rather than immediate political upheaval.
c. AD 27
John the Baptist's Ministry
John the Baptist begins his public ministry, preaching repentance and baptizing in the Jordan River. He proclaims the imminent arrival of the Messiah.
c. AD 28
Jesus' Baptism and Temptation
Jesus is baptized by John, and the Holy Spirit descends upon Him, with a voice from heaven declaring Him God's Son. He is then led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
c. AD 28-29
Jesus' Early Ministry
Jesus begins His public ministry, calling disciples, teaching in synagogues, and performing miracles throughout Galilee. His fame spreads rapidly.
c. AD 29
John the Baptist Imprisoned
John the Baptist rebukes Herod Antipas for his unlawful marriage, leading to John's imprisonment in the fortress of Machaerus.
c. AD 29— this verse
John's Disciples Inquire of Jesus
While imprisoned, John hears about Jesus' ministry. He sends two of his disciples to ask Jesus directly if He is the expected Messiah, or if they should await another.
c. AD 29
Jesus' Response to John
Jesus responds by pointing to His miracles—healing the blind, lame, deaf, and raising the dead—as evidence of His identity, fulfilling prophecies.
Jesus' answer to John's messengers directly quotes and fulfills these prophecies, showing that the works described here are the very signs of the coming Messiah.
Psalm 40:7This Psalm speaks of the Messiah saying, 'Then I said, “Here I am, I have come; it is written about me in the scroll.”' This echoes the 'he who is to come' expectation in Matthew 11:3, highlighting that Jesus' arrival was foretold.
Luke 7:22This parallel passage in Luke recounts Jesus' answer to John's disciples, emphasizing the same messianic signs (blind see, lame walk, etc.) as proof of His identity.
1 Kings 17:24In this Old Testament account, the Shunammite woman declares 'Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord you spoke is true.' This highlights how confirming the truth of God's spoken word through His actions is a recurring theme.
Matthew 11:6This verse immediately following the question shows Jesus' warning against being 'offended' in Him, directly addressing the potential for doubt or disappointment when the Messiah doesn't meet expectations.
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…
barnesMatthew 11:3: "And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?"
Art thou he that should come? - That is, Art thou the Messiah, or the Christ? The Jews expected a Saviour. His coming had been long foretold, Genesis 49:10 ; Isaiah 9:1-6 ; Isaiah 11:1-5 ; Isaiah 35:4-6 ; Isaiah 53:1-12 ; Daniel 9:24-27 . See also John 6:14 . Compare Deuteronomy 18:18-19 . In common language, therefore, he was familiarly described as "he that was to come." Luke adds here Luke 7:21 , that…
John's question, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" isn't just about Jesus' identity, but also about how the Messiah's kingdom would arrive. John expected a swift, fiery judgment, and Jesus' ongoing works of healing, though powerful, didn't immediately fit that picture, highlighting a tension between divine power and human expectations of its manifestation.
John the Baptist, languishing in prison, sends his disciples to Jesus with a crucial question about his identity as the prophesied Messiah. This comes after Jesus has commissioned his own disciples and begun ministering more broadly, and it sets the stage for Jesus to respond by pointing to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in his miraculous deeds, especially to prove his identity to John and his disciples.
John the Baptist, languishing in prison, sends his disciples to Jesus with a crucial question about his identity as the prophesied Messiah. This comes after Jesus has commissioned his own disciples and begun ministering more broadly, and it sets the stage for Jesus to respond by pointing to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in his miraculous deeds, especially to prove his identity to John and his disciples.
"and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”" — John's question, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" isn't just about Jesus' identity, but also about how the Messiah's kingdom would arrive. John expected a swift, fier…
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Last reviewed October 2026