New International VersionWhen John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples
New Living TranslationJohn the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus,
English Standard VersionNow when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples
Berean Standard BibleMeanwhile John heard in prison about the works of Christ, and he sent his disciples
Berean Literal BibleAnd John, having heard in prison the works of the Christ, having sent two of his disciples,
King James BibleNow when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
New King James VersionAnd when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples
New American Standard BibleNow while in prison, John heard about the works of Christ, and he sent word by his disciples,
NASB 1995Now when John, while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples
NASB 1977Now when John in prison heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples,
Legacy Standard BibleNow when John in prison heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples
Amplified BibleNow when John [the Baptist] in prison heard about the activities of Christ, he sent word by his disciples
Christian Standard BibleNow when John heard in prison what the Christ was doing, he sent a message through his disciples
Holman Christian Standard BibleWhen John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent a message by his disciples
American Standard VersionNow when John heard in the prison the works of the Christ, he sent by his disciples
Contemporary English VersionJohn was in prison when he heard what Christ was doing. So John sent some of his followers
English Revised VersionNow when John heard in the prison the works of the Christ, he sent by his disciples,
GOD'S WORD® TranslationWhen John was in prison, he heard about the things Christ had done. So he sent his disciples
Good News TranslationWhen John the Baptist heard in prison about the things that Christ was doing, he sent some of his disciples to him.
International Standard VersionNow when John heard in prison about the activities of the Messiah, he sent a message by his disciples
NET BibleNow when John heard in prison about the deeds Christ had done, he sent his disciples to ask a question:
New Heart English BibleNow when John heard in the prison the works of the Christ, he sent [a message] by his disciples
Webster's Bible TranslationNow when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
Weymouth New TestamentNow John had heard in prison about the Christ's doings, and he sent some of his disciples to inquire: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleMeanwhile John heard in prison about the works of Christ, and he sent two of his disciples
World English BibleNow when John heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd John having heard in the prison the works of the Christ, having sent two of his disciples,
Berean Literal BibleAnd John, having heard in prison the works of the Christ, having sent two of his disciples,
Young's Literal Translation And John having heard in the prison the works of the Christ, having sent two of his disciples,
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd John having heard in prison the works of Christ, having sent two of his disciples, Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleNow when John had heard in prison the works of Christ: sending two of his disciples he said to him:
Catholic Public Domain VersionNow when John had heard, in prison, about the works of Christ, sending two of his disciples, he said to him,
New American BibleWhen John heard in prison of the works of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to him
New Revised Standard VersionWhen John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut when John heard in prison of the works of Christ, he sent by his disciples,
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishBut when Yohannan had heard in prison of the works of The Messiah, he sent by his disciples, NT Translations Anderson New TestamentNow when John had heard in the prison of the works of the Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
Godbey New TestamentAnd John hearing in the prison the works of Christ, sending two of his disciples,
Haweis New TestamentThen John, having heard in prison the works of Christ, sent two of his disciples,
Mace New Testamentin the mean time John having heard in his confinement of the actions of Christ, he sent two of his disciples to ask him,
Weymouth New TestamentNow John had heard in prison about the Christ's doings, and he sent some of his disciples to inquire:
Worrell New TestamentAnd John, having heard, in the prison, of the works of the Christ, sending by his disciples,
Worsley New TestamentNow when John heard in prison of the works of Christ,
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context John's Inquiry1After Jesus had finished instructing His twelve disciples, He went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. 2MeanwhileJohnheardinprisonabout theworksofChrist,and he senthisdisciples3to ask Him, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?”…
Cross References Luke 7:18-23Then John’s disciples informed him about all these things. / So John called two of his disciples and sent them to ask the Lord, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?” / When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to ask, ‘Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?’” ...
Matthew 14:3-5Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, / because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” / Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a prophet.
John 1:29-34The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! / This is He of whom I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’ / I myself did not know Him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that He might be revealed to Israel.” ...
Isaiah 35:4-6Say to those with anxious hearts: “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance. With divine retribution He will come to save you.” / Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. / Then the lame will leap like a deer and the mute tongue will shout for joy. For waters will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.
Isaiah 61:1-2The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, / to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn,
Malachi 3:1“Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts.
Malachi 4:5-6Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD. / And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.”
Matthew 3:1-3In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea / and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” / This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’”
Matthew 3:11-12I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. / His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
John 3:26-30So John’s disciples came to him and said, “Look, Rabbi, the One who was with you beyond the Jordan, the One you testified about—He is baptizing, and everyone is going to Him.” / John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. / You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but am sent ahead of Him.’ ...
Luke 3:15-17The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John could be the Christ. / John answered all of them: “I baptize you with water, but One more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. / His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Mark 1:2-4As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way.” / “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’” / John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
John 5:36But I have testimony more substantial than that of John. For the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works I am doing—testify about Me that the Father has sent Me.
John 10:41Many came to Him and said, “Although John never performed a sign, everything he said about this man was true.”
Acts 19:4Paul explained: “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”
Treasury of Scripture Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, in. Matthew 4:12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; Matthew 14:3 For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and puthim in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife. Mark 6:17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her. he. Matthew 9:14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? John 3:25-28 Then there arose a question betweensome of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying… John 4:1 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, Jump to Previous ChristChrist'sDeedsDisciplesDoingsHeardImprisonedInquireJohnNewsPrisonWordWorksJump to Next ChristChrist'sDeedsDisciplesDoingsHeardImprisonedInquireJohnNewsPrisonWordWorksMatthew 11 1.John sends his disciples to Jesus.7.Jesus' testimony concerning John.16.The perverse judgment of the people concerning the Son.20.Jesus upbraids Korazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum;25.and praising his Father's wisdom in revealing the Gospel to the simple,28.he calls to him those who are weary and burdened.Meanwhile John heard in prisonJohn the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, for condemning Herod's unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother's wife ( Matthew 14:3-4). This imprisonment took place in the fortress of Machaerus, located east of the Dead Sea. John's situation reflects the cost of prophetic ministry and the opposition faced by those who speak truth to power. His imprisonment also fulfills the prophetic role of suffering for righteousness' sake, as seen in the lives of other prophets like Jeremiah. about the works of Christ
John had previously baptized Jesus and witnessed the Holy Spirit descending upon Him, affirming Jesus as the Messiah (Matthew 3:16-17). The "works of Christ" refer to Jesus' miracles, teachings, and acts of compassion, which were signs of the Kingdom of God. These works fulfilled Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah, such as healing the blind and setting captives free (Isaiah 61:1). John's hearing of these works while in prison suggests a continued interest and hope in the messianic mission, despite his own circumstances. and he sent his disciples
John's disciples remained loyal to him during his imprisonment, indicating the strong influence he had as a teacher and prophet. By sending them to Jesus, John sought confirmation of Jesus' identity as the Messiah. This action demonstrates John's humility and desire for his followers to transition to Jesus, as he had previously stated, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30). It also highlights the importance of seeking understanding and assurance in faith, even for those who are strong in their beliefs. Persons / Places / Events 1. John the BaptistA prophet and forerunner of Jesus Christ, known for his call to repentance and baptizing Jesus. At this point, he is imprisoned by Herod Antipas. 2. PrisonThe place where John the Baptist is held. This imprisonment is due to his outspoken criticism of Herod Antipas' unlawful marriage to Herodias. 3. Disciples of JohnFollowers of John the Baptist who are sent by him to inquire about Jesus' identity and works. 4. Christ (Jesus)The central figure of the New Testament, whose works and teachings are the focus of John's inquiry. 5. Herod AntipasThe ruler of Galilee and Perea, responsible for imprisoning John the Baptist. Teaching Points Faith Amidst DoubtEven strong believers like John the Baptist can experience doubt. It's important to seek answers and reassurance in times of uncertainty. The Role of MessengersJohn the Baptist's role as a forerunner highlights the importance of preparing the way for Christ in our own lives and communities. Recognizing Christ's WorksUnderstanding and recognizing the works of Christ is crucial for affirming our faith and sharing it with others. The Cost of DiscipleshipJohn's imprisonment reminds us that following Christ can lead to personal sacrifice and challenges. Seeking ConfirmationLike John, we should not hesitate to seek confirmation of our faith through prayer, study, and fellowship with other believers. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Matthew 11:2?
2.How does Matthew 11:2 demonstrate John's faith despite his imprisonment?
3.What can we learn from John's actions about seeking confirmation in faith?
4.How does Matthew 11:2 connect to Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah?
5.In what ways can we seek Jesus' guidance when facing doubts today?
6.How can John's example in Matthew 11:2 inspire us to trust God's plan?
7.Why did John the Baptist doubt Jesus' identity in Matthew 11:2?
8.How does Matthew 11:2 challenge our understanding of faith and doubt?
9.What historical context explains John's imprisonment in Matthew 11:2?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 11?
11.In Matthew 11:2–3, why does John the Baptist question Jesus as the Messiah despite previously recognizing Him (Matthew 3)?
12.What does "kingdom of God suffers violence" mean?
13.What does doubting your salvation mean?
14.Why does God allow so many of His followers to doubt His existence?What Does Matthew 11:2 Mean Meanwhile• Matthew transitions with the word “Meanwhile,” reminding us that while Jesus is teaching and healing in Galilee (Matthew 11:1), something very different is happening elsewhere. • The timing underscores God’s sovereignty: Christ’s ministry is flourishing even as His forerunner suffers (cf.Ecclesiastes 3:1;John 3:30). • “Meanwhile” also invites us to hold two scenes together—public triumph and private trial. Scripture often places victory and hardship side by side (2 Corinthians 4:8-10), encouraging faith that sees a bigger picture.
John heard in prison• John the Baptist, confined by Herod Antipas (Mark 6:17-20;Luke 3:19-20), is physically limited but spiritually alert. • In that grim cell he receives reports, proving chains cannot silence God’s truth (2 Timothy 2:9;Philippians 1:12-14). • His hearing matters: faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17). Even prophets need continual testimony to stay anchored when life turns out differently than expected. • John’s imprisonment fulfills the pattern of righteous suffering foretold inIsaiah 61:1-2, the very passage Jesus applied to Himself (Luke 4:17-21).
about the works of Christ• The “works” include miracles, teaching, and acts of compassion (Matthew 4:23-25; 9:35). These works authenticate Jesus as the promised Messiah (John 5:36). • Word travels fast: disciples, travelers, and perhaps Herod’s own servants spread the news (Luke 9:7). • For a prophet who had proclaimed, “Behold, the Lamb of God” (John 1:29), hearing these deeds should have brought reassurance—yet it also raises fresh questions about timing and deliverance (cf.Malachi 3:1;Isaiah 35:5-6).
and he sent his disciples• John dispatches trusted followers to Jesus (Luke 7:18-20). This action shows: – Humility: the great forerunner seeks confirmation, not applause. – Discernment: he directs his disciples to Christ, not to himself (John 3:28-30). • Their mission is pastoral as much as investigative—John wants them to witness Jesus firsthand so their allegiance transfers from him to Messiah (Acts 19:4). • Jesus later affirms John’s greatness (Matthew 11:11), proving that honest doubts voiced in faith do not disqualify a servant of God (Psalm 73:16-17).
summaryMatthew 11:2 captures a striking moment: while Jesus’ ministry flourishes, His herald languishes behind bars. John, hearing trustworthy reports of Messiah’s works, sends disciples to seek clarity and deeper faith. The verse reminds us that confinement cannot mute God’s Word, that genuine believers may wrestle with unmet expectations, and that the surest remedy is a fresh look at Christ Himself. (2) When John had heard in the prison.--The position of the Baptist was so far that of a prisoner treated with respect. Herod himself observed him, and heard him gladly. Herodias had not yet found an occasion of revenge. His disciples came and went freely. Some of these we have seen ( Matthew 9:14) as present when our Lord was teaching, and certain to hear of such wonders as those narrated in Matthew 8, 9. He himself, in the prison of Machaerus, was languishing with the sickness of hope deferred for the Messianic kingdom, which he had proclaimed. His disciples brought back word of what they had seen and heard ( Luke 7:18), and yet all things continued as before, and there was no deliverance either for himself or Israel. Under the influence of this disappointment, he sent his two disciples with the question which the next verse records. Verses 2-24. - JESUS THE ONE THAT SHOULD COME. (1) Vers. 2-6: The Baptist's question, and its answer: the Coming One has come. (2) Vers. 7-15: Jesus' recognition of the greatness of John as herald. (3) Vers. 16-19: Yet both John and he himself are rejected. . . .
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Meanwhile,δὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.JohnἸωάννης(Iōannēs)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2491:Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites.heardἀκούσας(akousas)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 191:To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.prisonδεσμωτηρίῳ(desmōtēriō)Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1201:A prison. From a derivative of desmon; a place of bondage, i.e. A dungeon.[about] theτὰ(ta)Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.worksἔργα(erga)Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2041:From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.ofτοῦ(tou)Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.Christ,Χριστοῦ(Christou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547:Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.[and] he sentπέμψας(pempsas)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3992:To send, transmit, permit to go, put forth.twoδιὰ(dia)Preposition
Strong's 1223:A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.of hisαὐτοῦ(autou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.disciplesμαθητῶν(mathētōn)Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3101:A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 11:2 Now when John heard in the prison (Matt. Mat Mt) |
