But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
Parallel translations
- WEB But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.
- BSB What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
- NKJV But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
- NASB But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet.
- NLT Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
John was indeed a prophet, and even more than a prophet. His unique role surpassed that of all who came before.
Overview
Jesus affirms that the crowds rightly went out to see a prophet, then declares John 'much more.' Unlike earlier prophets who foretold the Messiah from afar, John was His immediate herald who pointed to Him in person. This distinctive nearness to the Christ sets John apart in the line of God's spokesmen.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- Luke 1:76And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
- Matt 14:5And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
- Matt 21:24–26And 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.
- Mark 9:11–13And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?
- Luke 1:15–17For 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.
- Matt 17:12–13But 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.
- Matt 11:13–14For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 11:9 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.