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MAT 11:1-6

Johnʼs Inquiry

1And it happened that when Jesus had finished directing his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and proclaim in their cities.

2Now John, having heard in prison of the works of the Anointed, sent word through his disciples

3and said to him, "Are you the Coming One, or do we expect another?"

4And Jesus answered and said to them: "Go and report to John what you hear and see:

5the blind receive sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised, and the destitute have good news proclaimed to them.

6And blessed is whoever is not caused to stumble by me."

In the world it was spoken into

In 1st-century Judea, John the Baptist’s inquiry from prison reflects the tension surrounding messianic expectations. John, imprisoned by Herod Antipas for his prophetic critique of Herod’s marriage, likely questioned whether Jesus’ ministry aligned with the anticipated messianic deliverance. The term ('the coming One') carried eschatological weight, rooted in Jewish prophetic tradition, particularly Isaiah and Malachi, which spoke of a figure who would bring justice and restoration. Jesus’ response, citing Isaiah 35:5-6 and 61:1, frames His works as signs of the messianic age: healing the blind, lame, lepers, deaf, and raising the dead. These acts were not merely miracles but symbolic fulfillments of prophetic promises. The mention of the ('destitute') being ('proclaimed good news') underscores Jesus’ mission to the marginalized, a radical inversion of societal hierarchies. For John’s disciples and Jesus’ audience, these signs would have been interpreted as evidence of divine intervention, though not necessarily the militaristic deliverance some expected.

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How other translations render this

MAT 11:1

KJV
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.
BSB
After Jesus had finished instructing His twelve disciples, He went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.
Koinōnos
And it happened that when Jesus had finished directing his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and proclaim in their cities.

MAT 11:2

KJV
Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
BSB
Meanwhile John heard in prison about the works of Christ, and he sent his disciples
Koinōnos
Now John, having heard in prison of the works of the Anointed, sent word through his disciples

MAT 11:3

KJV
And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
BSB
to ask Him, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?”
Koinōnos
and said to him, "Are you the Coming One, or do we expect another?

MAT 11:4

KJV
Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:
BSB
Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:
Koinōnos
And Jesus answered and said to them: "Go and report to John what you hear and see:

MAT 11:5

KJV
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.
BSB
The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.
Koinōnos
the blind receive sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised, and the destitute have good news proclaimed to them.

MAT 11:6

KJV
And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
BSB
Blessed is the one who does not fall away on account of Me.”
Koinōnos
And blessed is whoever is not caused to stumble by me.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

MAT 11:2

  • works:The word translated 'works' refers to deeds or actions, often with an emphasis on their observable nature and impact, rather than just tasks or labor.

MAT 11:3

  • coming [One],:The phrase 'the coming One' was a recognized title or expectation in 1st-century Jewish thought, referring to the Messiah or a significant prophetic figure whose arrival was anticipated.

MAT 11:5

  • poor:The word translated 'poor' here meant a destitute beggar — someone utterly dependent on alms — not merely someone of low economic status.
  • are evangelised;:The term 'are evangelised' means to have good news proclaimed to them, specifically news that brings joy and hope, often with a spiritual or salvific dimension.