Devine Scripture

Matthew 11:7

What does Matthew 11:7 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 11:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 11:7 means

As John's disciples departed, Jesus turned his attention to the surrounding crowds and began to speak about John the Baptist. He posed a rhetorical question, asking what the people had gone out into the wilderness to see – suggesting they had not gone to see something fleeting and easily swayed like a reed. This question prepares the crowd to consider John's true character as a steadfast and uncompromised prophet, challenging any superficial assessment of his ministry.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And as these went their way, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? a reed shaken with the wind?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And as these went their way, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? a reed shaken with the wind?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when they were going away, Jesus, talking of John, said to all the people, What went you out into the waste land to see? a tall stem moving in the wind?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And as they are going, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, `What went ye out to the wilderness to view? --a reed shaken by the wind?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when they went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: What went you out into the desert to see? a reed shaken with the wind?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But as they went [away], Jesus began to say to the crowds concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? a reed moved about by the wind?

Context

This verse marks a shift in the narrative as Jesus addresses the multitudes after John's disciples depart. He begins to speak about John the Baptist, transitioning from answering John's direct query to explaining John's significance to the people. This change in focus prepares the audience to understand John's pivotal role in God's redemptive plan, leading into Jesus' praise of him.

v.6And blessed is he, whosoever shall find no occasion of stumbling in me.

v.7This passage

v.8But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft raiment are in kings’ houses.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 21:25

    The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven or from men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why then did ye not believe him?

  • 2 Corinthians 1:17

    When I therefore was thus minded, did I show fickleness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be the yea yea and the nay nay?

  • Luke 7:24

    And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? a reed shaken with the wind?

  • Genesis 49:4

    Boiling over as water, thou shalt not have the pre-eminence; Because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; Then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.

  • Matthew 3:1

    And in those days cometh John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judæa, saying,

  • Ephesians 4:14

    that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;

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