Matthew 11:4

KJV

Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:

KJV (with Strong's)

Jesus {G2424} answered {G611} and {G2532} said {G2036} unto them {G846}, Go {G4198} and shew {G518} John {G2491} again {G518} those things which {G3739} ye do hear {G191} and {G2532} see {G991}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua answered, "Go and tell Yochanan what you are hearing and seeing --

Berean Standard Bible

Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:

American Standard Version

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and tell John the things which ye hear and see:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 11:4 presents Jesus' direct and strategic response to the disciples sent by John the Baptist, who questioned Jesus' messianic identity. Instead of a simple affirmation, Jesus instructs them to return to John and report the observable realities of His ministry—the miraculous healings, the preaching of the Gospel to the poor, and other signs that demonstrably fulfill Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. This response serves as both an affirmation of His divine mission and an invitation to John to discern the nature of God's kingdom through tangible evidence rather than preconceived notions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is nestled within a pivotal section of Matthew's Gospel, immediately following John the Baptist's imprisonment and his direct query to Jesus in [Matthew 11:3](/matthew/11-3 "Matthew 11:3 - John's Question to Jesus"): "Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?" Jesus' reply in [Matthew 11:4-6](/matthew/11-4-6 "Matthew 11:4-6 - Jesus' Response to John") is not a direct "yes," but an appeal to the evidence of His works, which are then elaborated upon in [Matthew 11:5](/matthew/11-5 "Matthew 11:5 - Jesus Lists His Works"). This exchange highlights the tension between expectations of the Messiah (perhaps a conquering king) and the reality of Jesus' ministry, which was characterized by healing, teaching, and a focus on the marginalized. The subsequent discourse in [Matthew 11:7-19](/matthew/11-7-19 "Matthew 11:7-19 - Jesus' Testimony About John") further clarifies John's unique role as the forerunner, placing this specific interaction within the broader narrative of Jesus' public ministry and the establishment of His kingdom.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** John the Baptist, a prophetic figure in the tradition of Elijah, was imprisoned by Herod Antipas (as detailed in [Matthew 14:3-5](/matthew/14-3-5 "Matthew 14:3-5 - John's Imprisonment")). His imprisonment, likely in the fortress of Machaerus, would have been a profoundly disorienting experience for a wilderness prophet. The Jewish people of this era harbored strong messianic expectations, often envisioning a political or military deliverer who would overthrow Roman rule and restore Israel's sovereignty. John, despite having baptized Jesus and witnessed the Spirit's descent, may have struggled to reconcile Jesus' seemingly non-political, healing-focused ministry with these prevailing expectations, especially from within the confines of his prison cell. The message Jesus sends back through John's disciples directly addresses these expectations by pointing to a different kind of messianic activity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes in Matthew's Gospel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the **Authenticity of Jesus' Messiahship**, demonstrating that His identity is validated not by self-proclamation but by undeniable, observable works that fulfill ancient prophecies. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Faith and Doubt**, showing Jesus' compassionate response to John's uncertainty, offering tangible evidence rather than rebuke. This approach acknowledges the human struggle with doubt, even among the most faithful. Thirdly, it emphasizes the **Nature of God's Kingdom**, revealing that it is inaugurated not through political power or military might, but through acts of mercy, healing, and the proclamation of good news to the poor, echoing the themes found throughout [Isaiah 35](/isaiah/35 "Isaiah 35 - The Desert Blooms") and [Isaiah 61](/isaiah/61 "Isaiah 61 - The Spirit of the Lord"). Jesus' ministry, as described in [Matthew 4:23-25](/matthew/4-23-25 "Matthew 4:23-25 - Jesus' Ministry in Galilee"), consistently demonstrated these characteristics.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **answered (Greek, _apokrínomai'_):** This word (G611) means "to conclude for oneself" or "to respond." In a Hebraic sense, it can also mean "to begin to speak where an address is expected." Here, it signifies Jesus' deliberate and authoritative reply to John's profound question, indicating that His words are a considered and definitive statement, not a casual remark.
* **shew (Greek, _apangéllō'_):** Derived from "apo" (from) and the root of "angelos" (messenger), this verb (G518) means "to announce," "report," or "bring word back." Jesus' use of this term emphasizes the disciples' role as direct witnesses and reporters. They are not merely to convey a message but to recount their personal observations, making their testimony more compelling and verifiable.
* **hear (Greek, _akoúō'_):** This primary verb (G191) signifies "to hear" in various senses, including to give audience to, come to the ears, or understand. In conjunction with "see," it underscores the sensory, experiential nature of the evidence Jesus provides. The disciples are to be active listeners, discerning the content and implications of Jesus' teachings and the reports of His miracles.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Jesus answered and said unto them":** This opening clause establishes Jesus' authority and the directness of His communication. His response is not an evasion but a clear, intentional address to John's representatives, indicating the gravity of the question and the significance of His reply.
* **"Go and shew John again":** This is a direct command, instructing the disciples to return to John. The word "shew" (apangéllō) implies a comprehensive report, not just a simple statement. The phrase "again" emphasizes that this is a follow-up, a concrete message to alleviate John's doubt or clarify Jesus' mission.
* **"those things which ye do hear and see":** This crucial phrase specifies the content of their report. Jesus directs them to recount their firsthand, sensory experiences of His ministry. The present tense of "do hear and see" implies ongoing observation, highlighting the continuous and undeniable nature of His works. This instruction sets the stage for the specific examples of miraculous healings and the preaching of the gospel that Jesus will provide in the subsequent verse, serving as irrefutable evidence of His messianic identity.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Direct Discourse**, as Jesus directly addresses John's disciples with a clear command. This creates a sense of immediacy and authority. There is also a strong element of **Empirical Evidence** or **Witness Testimony**, as Jesus explicitly instructs the disciples to report what they personally "hear and see." This emphasis on sensory experience is a form of **Verifiable Proof**, designed to counter doubt with tangible reality. The structure of the command, "Go and shew... those things which ye do hear and see," functions as an **Indirect Command** to John himself, inviting him to draw conclusions from the evidence rather than receiving a direct "yes" or "no" answer. This rhetorical strategy is powerful, allowing John to participate in the discovery of truth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jesus' response in Matthew 11:4 is profoundly theological, linking His present ministry directly to the prophetic expectations of the Old Testament. By instructing John's disciples to report what they "hear and see," Jesus implicitly points them to the specific signs of the Messiah foretold by the prophets. His works of healing, restoration, and the proclamation of good news to the poor were not random acts but deliberate fulfillments of divine promises, demonstrating that God's redemptive plan was unfolding precisely as predicted. This emphasizes that Jesus' authority and identity are rooted in the consistent, unfolding narrative of God's covenant faithfulness.

* [Isaiah 35:5-6](/isaiah/35-5-6 "Isaiah 35:5-6 - Prophecy of Healing")
* [Isaiah 61:1](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1 - Prophecy of the Messiah's Mission")
* [Luke 7:22](/luke/7-22 "Luke 7:22 - Jesus' Similar Response to John's Disciples")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 11:4 offers a powerful lesson for believers today: our faith is not a blind leap but is often strengthened by observable evidence of God's active presence and faithfulness. Just as Jesus directed John to the tangible signs of His ministry, we are called to discern God's work in the world and in our own lives. When doubts arise, whether from challenging circumstances or intellectual questioning, we can look to the historical reality of Christ's life, the transformative power of the Gospel throughout history, and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our communities and personal experiences. This verse reminds us that genuine faith is robust enough to engage with evidence, finding assurance not in simplistic answers but in the profound reality of God's unfolding kingdom, which continues to manifest through acts of healing, justice, and the proclamation of truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I tend to respond when doubts about my faith or God's plan arise in my life?**
* **What are the "things I hear and see" in my own experience or in the world that testify to Jesus' ongoing work and identity?**
* **In what ways might I be holding onto preconceived notions about God's kingdom that prevent me from fully seeing His present activity?**

### FAQ
**Why didn't Jesus just say "Yes, I am the Messiah"?**

Answer: Jesus' response was more profound and comprehensive than a simple "yes." By directing John's disciples to "Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see," Jesus was inviting John to discern His messianic identity through the undeniable evidence of His works. These works—healing the sick, casting out demons, and preaching the Gospel to the poor—were direct fulfillments of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah (e.g., [Isaiah 35:5-6](/isaiah/35-5-6 "Isaiah 35:5-6 - Prophecy of Healing") and [Isaiah 61:1](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1 - Prophecy of the Messiah's Mission")). This approach allowed John, and indeed all who heard the report, to arrive at a conviction of Jesus' identity based on verifiable divine activity, rather than mere assertion. It also subtly corrected any preconceived notions John might have had about the Messiah's immediate actions, emphasizing the spiritual and redemptive nature of His kingdom over political or military conquest.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 11:4, though a direct response to John the Baptist, powerfully encapsulates the Christ-centered nature of Jesus' entire ministry. When Jesus instructs the disciples to report what they "hear and see," He is implicitly declaring that His very actions are the embodiment of the promised Messiah. The works He performs—healing the blind, making the lame walk, cleansing lepers, making the deaf hear, raising the dead, and preaching the good news to the poor (as detailed in [Matthew 11:5](/matthew/11-5 "Matthew 11:5 - Jesus' Miraculous Works"))—are not merely acts of compassion but concrete manifestations of God's kingdom breaking into the world through His Son. This fulfillment is further echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus is consistently presented as the one who brings light to those in darkness ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")), who has authority over sickness and death ([Mark 1:32-34](/mark/1-32-34 "Mark 1:32-34 - Jesus Heals Many")), and who inaugurates a new covenant through His life, death, and resurrection ([Hebrews 8:6-13](/hebrews/8-6-13 "Hebrews 8:6-13 - The New Covenant")). Thus, Jesus' instruction to "hear and see" serves as an enduring invitation for all to recognize Him as the Christ, whose life and works perfectly fulfill God's redemptive plan, culminating in His ultimate sacrifice and triumph over sin and death, which grants eternal life to all who believe ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and Eternal Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.