Matthew 11:3

“And said unto him, etc.] By the disciples he sent; this was the message they came with, and this the question they were to ask, and did, art thou he that should come? A “periphrasis” of the Messiah, well known to the Jews; for he had been spoken of frequently in the prophecies of the Old Testament, as the Shiloh, the Redeemer, the Prophet, and King that should come; particularly, by this circumlocution, reference seems to be had to (<350203>Habakkuk 2:3). “It shall surely come”, aby ab yk, which may be rendered, “for he that cometh”, or “is to come, shall come”. So that the question in plain terms is, whether he was the Messiah? John could not be ignorant of this, who had seen the Spirit of…”

“Art thou he that should come? - That is, Art thou the Messiah, or the Christ? The Jews expected a Saviour. His coming had been long foretold, Genesis 49:10; Isaiah 9:1-6; Isaiah 11:1-5; Isaiah 35:4-6; Isaiah 53:1-12; Daniel 9:24-27. See also John 6:14. Compare Deuteronomy 18:18-19. In common language, therefore, he was familiarly described as “he that was to come.” Luke adds here Luke 7:21, that at the time when the messengers came to him, Jesus “cured many of their infirmities, and plagues, and of evil spirits.” An answer was therefore ready to the inquiries of John. return to 'Top of Page'”

“He that is to come - The Messiah. Matthew 11:4”

“Art: Mat 2:2-6; Gen 3:15, Gen 12:3, Gen 49:10; Num 24:17; Deu 18:15-18; Psa 2:6-12; Psa 110:1-5; Isa 7:14, Isa 9:6, Isa 9:7; Jer 23:5, Jer 23:6; Eze 34:23, Eze 34:24; Dan 9:24-26; Hos 3:5; Joe 2:28-32; Amo 9:11, Amo 9:12; Oba 1:21; Mic 5:2; Zep 3:14-17; Hag 2:7; Zac 9:9; Mal 3:1, Mal 4:2; Joh 4:21, Joh 7:31, Joh 7:41, Joh 7:42 he that: Mat 21:5, Mat 21:9; Mar 11:9; Luk 19:38; Joh 16:14, Joh 12:13; Heb 10:37 Matthew 11:5”