7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. (Matthew 11:7-10 KJV)
Commentary
Our Savior, having given satisfaction to John’s disciples, next gives high praise to John himself.
Observe, 1. The people before whom Christ commended John were not John’s own disciples, for they already had a high opinion of their master and even envied Christ because of him. They once spoke to John about Jesus, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”
So instead of John’s disciples, Christ spoke to the multitude, who had too low an opinion of John, possibly because of his imprisonment and suffering. There was a time when the people highly valued John, but now they undervalued him.
Learn from this: the great uncertainty of popular approval. The people despise today whom they admired yesterday. He who is praised today is trampled on tomorrow. The Word and its ministers remain the same, but the opinions of the crowd are fickle and ever-changing.
Observe, 2. The time when our Savior commended John— not during his success when people flocked to him and even Herod respected him, but when the people had abandoned him, and he had been cast into prison. Now Christ defends his innocence, upholds his honor, and declares that the world was not worthy of such a preacher.
Learn from this: Christ will stand by his faithful ministers when the world forsakes them. Let the world despise them as it pleases—Christ will uphold their honor and support their cause. As they bear witness to Christ, so Christ will bear witness to their faithfulness.
Observe, 3. The commendation itself. Our Savior praises John:
- For his steadfastness. He was not a reed shaken by the wind—he was firm and unwavering in his judgment.
- For his self-denial. He was no delicate, self-indulgent person but sober, disciplined, and mortified to worldly comforts. Though John worked no miracles, his holy life had as much power as miracles to influence the people.
- For his humility. The people were ready to proclaim him the Messiah, but John humbly denied it. He confessed, “I am not the Christ,” but only a servant, unworthy yet willing to serve him. This will commend our ministry to the hearts of our people—when we seek not our own glory, but the glory of Christ.
- For his clear preaching of Christ. He was more than a prophet because he pointed out Christ more clearly than any before him. The ancient prophets saw Christ from afar, but John saw him face to face and declared, “This is He.”
From this, learn that the clearer a ministry is in revealing Christ, the more excellent it is.