Matthew 11:2

Matthew 11:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
• New International Version (NIV)When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples
• English Standard Version (ESV)Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples
• New King James Version (NKJV)And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples

Context of Matthew 11:2

1When Jesus had finished giving these instructions to his twelve disciples, he went out to teach and preach in towns throughout the region. John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, 3“Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” 4Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—

Matthew 11:2 word by word

Ὁ δὲ Ἰωάννης ἀκούσας ἐν τῷ δεσμωτηρίῳ τὰ ἔργα τοῦ Χριστοῦ, πέμψας διὰ τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Now whenδέde · thenG1161
• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• JohnἸωάννηςIōannēs · JohnG2491
• had heardἀκούωakouō · to hearG191
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• the prisonδεσμωτήριονdesmōtērion · prisonG1201
• the worksἔργονergon · workG2041
• of ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
• he sentπέμπωpempō · to sendG3992
• twoδύοduo · twoG1417
• ofμαθητήςmathētēs · discipleG3101
• hisαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846

Cross-references for Matthew 11:2

• Matthew 4:12When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee.
• Matthew 14:3For Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herod’s brother Philip).
• Mark 6:17For Herod had sent soldiers to arrest and imprison John as a favor to Herodias. She had been his brother Philip’s wife, but Herod had married her.
• Luke 3:19John also publicly criticized Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, for marrying Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for many other wrongs he had done.
• Luke 7:18The disciples of John the Baptist told John about everything Jesus was doing. So John called for two of his disciples,
• John 3:24(This was before John was thrown into prison.)
• Matthew 9:14One day the disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus and asked him, “Why don’t your disciples fast like we do and the Pharisees do?”
• John 3:25A debate broke out between John’s disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing.
• John 4:1Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John
• Acts 19:1While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions until he reached Ephesus, on the coast, where he found several believers.

Commentaries on Matthew 11:2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2John had heard in the prison - John was cast into prison by order of Herod Antipas, Matthew 14:3, etc., (where see the notes), a little after our Lord began his public ministry, Matthew 4:12; and after the first passover, John 3:24.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2The account contained in this chapter of Matthew, to the Matthew 11:19, is found, with no material variation, in Matthew 14:3-4. It is not certainly known why John sent to Jesus. It might have been to satisfy his disciples that he was the Messiah; or he might have been desirous of ascertaining for himself whether this person, of whom he heard so much, was the same one whom he had baptized, and whom he knew to be the Messiah. See John 1:29.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 2-6Verses 2-6 Some think that John sent this inquiry for his own satisfaction. Where there is true faith, yet there may be a mixture of unbelief. The remaining unbelief of good men may sometimes, in an hour of temptation; call in question the most important truths. But we hope that John's faith did not fail in this matter, and that he only desired to have it strengthened and confirmed. Others think that John sent his disciples to Christ for their…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2This section focuses on two main reactions to Jesus: acceptance and rejection. The first part (Matthew 11:2–12:50) shows Jewish leaders rejecting Jesus, while his disciples are learning to understand and accept him.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. Now when John had heard in the prison--For the account of this imprisonment, see on Mr 6:17-20. the works of Christ, he sent, &c.--On the whole passage, see on Lu 7:18-35. The connection of this with what goes before it and the similarity of its tone make it evident, we think, that it was delivered on the same occasion, and that it is but a new and more comprehensive series of reflections in the same strain.Read the comment

Topics related to Matthew 11:2

• Doubting
• Imprisonment
• Jesus, the Christ
• John
• Prisoners

In the dictionaries

• Christ
• Christ, Messiah
• Dungeon
• Easy
• Justify
• Learn
• Lowly
• Meek
• Mighty
• Pipe

Commentaries on Matthew 11

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings