1 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. 2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? 4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. (Matthew 11:1-6 KJV)
Messengers from John the Baptist
The ordination sermon Christ preached to his disciples is here called his commanding them. Christ’s commissions are commands. So it becomes their duty from then to preach the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:16). The promises he made them are included in these commands, for the covenant of grace is a word he has commanded (Psalm 105:8).
When Christ had finished instructing his disciples, he left. It seems the disciples were reluctant to leave for their mission until Jesus separated himself from them, much like a nurse withdrawing her hand so a child could learn to walk. Christ wanted them to learn how to live and work without his physical presence. This was preparation for his long departure so that, with the help of the Spirit, they could stand on their own (Deuteronomy 33:7). We are told little about what they did after their commission, but they undoubtedly went out, likely into Judea, preaching and performing miracles in his name.
Christ himself left to teach and preach in the cities. Though he sent his disciples to preach (Matthew 10:7), he did not stop preaching himself. He set them to work, not for his own ease but for the good of the people. The more others labor in God’s work, the more we should labor. Christ preached in the cities, where there were many people. Wisdom calls out in the cities (Proverbs 1:21; 8:3), and though many rejected him, they still had the first opportunity to hear.
What follows is a message John the Baptist sent to Christ and Christ’s reply (Matthew 11:2-6). Earlier, we heard that Jesus learned of John’s imprisonment (Matthew 4:12). Now we are told that John, in prison, heard of Christ’s works and was surely glad, for he was a true friend of the Bridegroom (John 3:29). When one servant of God is taken away, he raises up others to continue the work. The work advanced, though John was in prison, which would have been a comfort to him. Nothing is more encouraging to God’s people in distress than hearing of Christ’s works, especially when they experience them in their own souls.
John, hearing of Christ’s works, sent two of his disciples to him with a question: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” This was an important question—was Jesus truly the promised Messiah? It was understood that the Messiah would come. The Old Testament saints knew him as “he who is to come” (Psalm 118:26). Though he has now come, we still await his return. If Jesus was not the Messiah, they would continue looking for another. We must not grow tired of waiting for him. Though he delays, he will come. If they were convinced he was the Messiah, they would be satisfied and would look no further.
Some think John sent this question for his own reassurance. Though he had testified that Jesus was the Son of God (John 1:34), the Lamb of God (John 1:29), and the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit (John 1:33), he sought further confirmation. Christ did not appear in the expected grandeur and power, which even his own disciples struggled to accept. Jesus recognized this struggle when he later said, “Blessed is the one who is not offended by me” (Matthew 11:6). Even good people can be influenced by popular misconceptions.
John may also have had doubts because of his imprisonment. He might have wondered, “If Jesus is truly the Messiah, why am I, his forerunner and friend, suffering in prison? Why has he not visited or freed me?” Christ had a good reason for not going to John, lest it seem they were conspiring together. Yet John may have interpreted this as neglect, which tested his faith.
- True faith can still be mixed with doubt. Even strong believers are not always unwavering.
- Suffering for Christ, especially prolonged suffering, is a hard test of faith.
- In times of trial, even good people can question the truths they once felt certain about. “Will the Lord reject forever?” (Psalm 77:7). But we believe John’s faith did not fail—he simply sought strengthening. The best believers need help in fortifying their faith and resisting doubts. Abraham believed, yet asked for a sign (Genesis 15:6,8), as did Gideon (Judges 6:36-37).
Others believe John sent his disciples to ask this question for their benefit, not his own. Though John was in prison, his disciples remained devoted to him. They struggled to accept Jesus as the Messiah because they were loyal to John and saw Jesus as overshadowing him. John wanted them to see the truth for themselves. The strong should consider the weaknesses of others and help them. “When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:32).
John had always worked to turn his disciples toward Christ, just as a grammar teacher prepares students for advanced studies. Perhaps knowing his death was near, he wanted them to be fully convinced of Jesus. Ministers should always direct people to Christ. Those who want to understand the gospel should go directly to him, who gives understanding.
Jesus’ answer was not a simple “yes” or “no” but was given in the form of evidence. He wanted them to observe and think for themselves: “Go and tell John what you hear and see.” The power of Christ’s miracles: “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news” (Matthew 11:5).
These miracles were done openly, proving they were not tricks. The power behind them was divine. Only God could override nature like this. Scripture says God opens the eyes of the blind (Psalm 146:8), so these miracles confirmed Christ’s divine mission. These works fulfilled prophecy (Isaiah 35:5-6), proving Jesus was the promised one. If his works matched the prophecy, then there was no reason to doubt.
And he also added that he preached the gospel to the poor. Christ’s disciples were mostly poor, proving his mission did not depend on wealth or status but on God’s power. The gospel was preached to those who were despised by religious leaders. Old Testament prophets spoke mostly to kings, but Christ spoke to the lowly. “The poor of the flock waited on him” (Zechariah 11:11). The poor were transformed by the gospel. In Jeremiah’s time, the poor were ignorant of God’s ways (Jeremiah 5:4), but Christ’s gospel changed them. The power of the gospel proves its divine origin.
Finally, Jesus declared: “Blessed is the one who is not offended by me” (Matthew 11:6). Some were offended by Jesus’ humble appearance, his lack of political power, and his rejection by the elite. These stumbling blocks kept many from believing. “This child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel” (Luke 2:34). But those who overcame these doubts were truly blessed. Though faith is tested by opposition, those who stand firm will receive praise, honor, and glory.