But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is 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.
- KJV But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and 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.
- 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 you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways,
- Matt 14:5When he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
- Matt 21:24–26Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
- Mark 9:11–13They asked him, saying, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
- Luke 1:15–17For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.
- Matt 17:12–13but I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they didn’t recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted to. Even so the Son of Man will also suffer by 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.