Matthew 11:3

And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

And said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Art {G1488} thou {G4771} he that should come {G2064}, or {G2228} do we look {G4328} for another {G2087}?

asking, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for someone else?"

to ask Him, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?”

and said unto him, Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another?

Matthew 11:3 (KJV) records a pivotal question posed to Jesus by the disciples of John the Baptist: "And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?" This verse captures a moment of deep inquiry regarding Jesus' identity and the nature of His Messianic mission.

Context

This inquiry comes from John the Baptist, who is at this point imprisoned by Herod (Matthew 11:2). Despite being the one who heralded Jesus' arrival and baptized Him, John sends his disciples to ask this direct question. Several reasons are proposed for John's query: it might have been for the benefit of his disciples, who perhaps struggled to reconcile Jesus' non-political ministry with their expectations of a conquering Messiah; or it could have been a moment of personal doubt for John himself, facing harsh circumstances and a seemingly unfulfilled expectation of immediate divine judgment. John had previously identified Jesus as the Lamb of God (John 1:29) and prophesied about the one who was to come with fire and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11), making his question here particularly striking.

Key Themes

  • The Identity of Jesus: The core of the question is whether Jesus is truly the long-awaited Messiah, often referred to as "He that should come" (ὁ ἐρχόμενος, ho erchomenos), a common Messianic title. This highlights the ongoing public and even internal debate about Jesus' true nature and role.
  • Expectations vs. Reality: The Jewish people, including John, largely anticipated a Messiah who would deliver them from Roman oppression and establish an earthly kingdom. Jesus' ministry, however, focused on healing, teaching, and spiritual transformation, which did not align with these immediate political expectations.
  • Doubt and Confirmation: This passage offers comfort, showing that even great figures of faith can experience moments of questioning. Jesus does not rebuke John but provides evidence of His identity through His miraculous works, which directly fulfill Old Testament prophecies (Isaiah 35:5-6; Isaiah 61:1). Jesus' answer in the following verses (Matthew 11:4-5) emphasizes His deeds as proof of His Messianic claims.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "he that should come" (Greek: ὁ ἐρχόμενος, ho erchomenos) is a significant Messianic title in Jewish thought, referring to the expected deliverer or redeemer. John's use of this specific phrase underscores that he is asking if Jesus is indeed the promised one, the fulfillment of centuries of prophecy.

Practical Application

Matthew 11:3 offers several timeless lessons:

  • It's Okay to Ask Questions: Even strong believers may face doubts or questions about God's plan or Jesus' identity, especially when circumstances are challenging. This passage affirms that it is permissible to bring these questions to Jesus.
  • Look to Jesus' Works: Rather than demanding a direct declaration, Jesus pointed to His actions (healing, casting out demons, preaching good news) as evidence of His divine authority and Messianic role. We too can find assurance in the character and works of Christ.
  • God's Ways Aren't Always Our Ways: Our expectations of how God should act or what His kingdom should look like may not align with His actual plan. This verse encourages us to adjust our understanding to God's reality, rather than trying to fit God into our preconceived notions.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 11:27

    She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

  • Malachi 3:1

    ¶ Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

  • Deuteronomy 18:15

    ¶ The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

  • Deuteronomy 18:18

    I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.

  • Hebrews 10:37

    For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

  • Micah 5:2

    But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, [though] thou be little among the thousands of Judah, [yet] out of thee shall he come forth unto me [that is] to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth [have been] from of old, from everlasting.

  • Zephaniah 3:14

    ¶ Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.

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