Devine Scripture

Matthew 11:8

What does Matthew 11:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 11:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 11:8 means

Jesus continued his questioning, asking if the crowds journeyed to the wilderness to find a man dressed in luxurious, soft clothing. He then answered his own question metaphorically, stating that those who wear such garments are found in kings' houses, not in the rugged wilderness among prophets like John. This again emphasizes John's austere and uncompromising nature, contrasting him with worldly figures and reinforcing that John was authentic and not motivated by comfort or status.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But what went you out to see? a man delicately clothed? Those who have fair robes are in kings' houses.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`But what went ye out to see? --a man clothed in soft garments? lo, those wearing the soft things are in the kings' houses.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But what went you out to see? a man clothed in soft garments? Behold they that are clothed in soft garments, are in the houses of kings.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in delicate raiment? behold, those who wear delicate things are in the houses of kings.

Context

This verse continues Jesus' rhetorical exploration of John's character, asking the crowd what they expected to see. It builds on the previous verse's challenge to superficial expectations, further highlighting John's counter-cultural lifestyle. This contrast helps the crowd appreciate John's true identity and role, moving beyond common societal perceptions.

v.7And 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?

v.8This passage

v.9But wherefore went ye out? to see a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.

Cross references

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

  • 2 Kings 1:8

    And they answered him, He was a hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.

  • Isaiah 20:2

    at that time Jehovah spake by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go, and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put thy shoe from off thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.

  • Revelation 11:3

    And I will give unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

  • Zechariah 13:4

    And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he prophesieth; neither shall they wear a hairy mantle to deceive:

  • Matthew 3:4

    Now John himself had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his food was locusts and wild honey.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:11

    Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place;

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