Matthew 11:2

Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

Now {G1161} when John {G2491} had heard {G191} in {G1722} the prison {G1201} the works {G2041} of Christ {G5547}, he sent {G3992} two {G1417} of his {G846} disciples {G3101},

Meanwhile, Yochanan the Immerser, who had been put in prison, heard what the Messiah had been doing; so he sent a message to him through his talmidim,

Meanwhile John heard in prison about the works of Christ, and he sent his disciples

Now when John heard in the prison the works of the Christ, he sent by his disciples

Commentary

Matthew 11:2 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Jesus' ministry, shifting focus to John the Baptist during his imprisonment. This verse sets the stage for an important exchange between John and Jesus, highlighting questions about Jesus' identity as the Messiah.

Context

At this point in the Gospel of Matthew, John the Baptist, the prophetic forerunner who proclaimed Jesus' coming and baptized Him (Matthew 3:13-17), is confined to prison. His arrest was due to his bold rebuke of Herod Antipas's unlawful marriage (Matthew 14:3-4). Despite his confinement, John continues to hear reports of Jesus' miraculous "works" or erga (deeds) – the healings, exorcisms, and powerful teachings that characterized Jesus' public ministry. This news, reaching him in his cell, prompts him to send two of his disciples to Jesus with a direct inquiry, as elaborated in the subsequent verses (Matthew 11:3).

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Nature of Doubt: This verse introduces a moment of apparent doubt or a need for confirmation from John the Baptist, a man of profound faith and prophetic insight. It demonstrates that even the greatest spiritual figures can experience human uncertainty, especially when facing hardship like imprisonment and an impending execution. John's question is not necessarily a sign of weak faith, but perhaps a desire for clear affirmation, or a means to solidify his disciples' faith in Jesus.
  • Confirmation through Works: John's inquiry is spurred by "the works of Christ." These miracles and teachings were the very signs prophesied to accompany the Messiah (Isaiah 35:5-6, Isaiah 61:1). Jesus' response in the following verses directly points to these works as proof of His identity (Matthew 11:4-5), underscoring that His ministry was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.
  • The Role of Disciples: John sends his own disciples, not merely as messengers, but perhaps also for their own benefit, so they could witness Jesus' power firsthand and become His followers. This highlights the transition of spiritual authority and the importance of direct encounter with Jesus.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "works" is erga (ἔργα), which refers to deeds or actions. In this context, it specifically denotes the powerful, often miraculous, activities of Jesus that demonstrated His divine authority and confirmed His messianic claims. It's more than just teaching; it's about active, tangible manifestations of God's power.

Practical Application

This verse offers comfort and insight for believers today. It reminds us that moments of questioning or seeking deeper understanding are a natural part of the faith journey, even for those deeply committed to God. When faced with difficult circumstances or uncertainties, like John in prison, we can look to the "works of Christ" – both His historical actions and His ongoing work in the world and in our lives – for reassurance and confirmation. It encourages us to bring our questions to Jesus, trusting that He will provide clarity and strengthen our faith, just as He did for John's disciples.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Mark 6:17 (8 votes)

    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.

  • Matthew 14:3 (7 votes)

    For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put [him] in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.

  • Matthew 4:12 (6 votes)

    ΒΆ Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;

  • Matthew 9:14 (5 votes)

    ΒΆ Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?

  • Luke 7:18 (4 votes)

    And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.

  • Luke 7:35 (4 votes)

    But wisdom is justified of all her children.

  • John 4:1 (3 votes)

    ΒΆ When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,