Matthew 11:9

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Nu, so why did you go out? To see a prophet! Yes! and I tell you he's much more than a prophet.

Berean Standard Bible:

What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But^{G235} what^{G5101} went ye out^{G1831} for to see^{G1492}? A prophet^{G4396}? yea^{G3483}, I say^{G3004} unto you^{G5213}, and^{G2532} more^{G4055} than a prophet^{G4396}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Luke 1:76

And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

Matthew 14:5

And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

Matthew 21:24

And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.

Matthew 21:26

But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.

Matthew 17:12

But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

Matthew 17:13

Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

Luke 1:15

For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

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Commentary for Matthew 11:9

Matthew 11:9 is a part of the New Testament in the Christian Bible, specifically found within the Gospel of Matthew. This verse is part of a larger discourse where Jesus is speaking about John the Baptist. The historical context of this verse is set during the ministry of Jesus in the region of Judea and Galilee, where both John the Baptist and Jesus were actively preaching and baptizing.

In this verse, Jesus is posing a rhetorical question to the crowds who had gone out to see John the Baptist. The question is meant to prompt reflection on why they sought out John in the first place. The expected answer is that they went out to see a prophet, which in itself was a significant event since the era of the prophets was considered by many to have ended centuries before with Malachi.

Jesus then affirms that John the Baptist is indeed more than a prophet. This statement elevates John's status, suggesting that he holds a unique role in the divine plan. In the broader context of the Gospel, this role is connected to John's mission to prepare the way for Jesus, as foretold by the prophet Isaiah. John is seen as the forerunner to the Messiah, fulfilling the prophecy by baptizing Jesus and thereby initiating Jesus' public ministry.

The themes of this verse include the fulfillment of prophecy, the role of John the Baptist as a pivotal figure in salvation history, and the expectation of a messianic age that Jesus is ushering in. It also touches on the idea of spiritual discernment, as Jesus challenges the people to recognize the significance of the events unfolding before them and the importance of the figures involved, particularly John the Baptist, who is presented as a bridge between the old era of prophecy and the new era of fulfillment in Christ.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

Strong's Number: G235
There are 635 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀλλά
Transliteration: allá
Pronunciation: al-lah'
Description: neuter plural of ἄλλος; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
Strong's Number: G5101
There are 483 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τίς
Transliteration: tís
Pronunciation: tis
Description: probably emphatic of τὶς; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.
Strong's Number: G1831
There are 216 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐξέρχομαι
Transliteration: exérchomai
Pronunciation: ex-er'-khom-ahee
Description: from ἐκ and ἔρχομαι; to issue (literally or figuratively):--come (forth, out), depart (out of), escape, get out, go (abroad, away, forth, out, thence), proceed (forth), spread abroad.
Strong's Number: G1492
There are 626 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἴδω
Transliteration: eídō
Pronunciation: i'-do
Description: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent ὀπτάνομαι and ὁράω; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare ὀπτάνομαι.
Strong's Number: G4396
There are 143 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: προφήτης
Transliteration: prophḗtēs
Pronunciation: prof-ay'-tace
Description: from a compound of πρό and φημί; a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet:--prophet.
Strong's Number: G3483
There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ναί
Transliteration: naí
Pronunciation: nahee
Description: a primary particle of strong affirmation; yes:--even so, surely, truth, verily, yea, yes.
Strong's Number: G3004
There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: λέγω
Transliteration: légō
Pronunciation: leg'-o
Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
Strong's Number: G5213
There are 567 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὑμῖν
Transliteration: hymîn
Pronunciation: hoo-min'
Description: irregular dative case of ὑμεῖς; to (with or by) you:--ye, you, your(-selves).
Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Strong's Number: G4055
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: περισσότερος
Transliteration: perissóteros
Pronunciation: per-is-sot'-er-os
Description: comparative of περισσός; more superabundant (in number, degree or character):--more abundant, greater (much) more, overmuch.

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