Matthew 11:7

“And as they departed, etc.] That is, the messengers of John, (<420724>Luke 7:24) when they returned to their master, to give an account to him of what they had heard and seen, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John; he took this opportunity before the whole company, who had heard what passed in conversation between him and the disciples of John, to say some things concerning his character and ministry: and which he did, partly to rectify and remove any wrong opinion they might have conceived of him, from this message of his, as if he had retracted his former sentiments concerning Christ, at least was wavering and doubtful about him; and partly, to put them in mind of their…”

“And as they departed ... - Jesus took occasion, from the inquiries made by John’s disciples, to instruct the people respecting the true character of John. Multitudes had gone out to hear him when he preached in the desert Matthew 3:0, and it is probable that many had been attracted by the novelty of his appearance or doctrines, or had gone simply to see and hear a man of singular habits and opinions. Probably many who followed Christ had been of that number. He took occasion, therefore, by some striking questions, to examine the motives by which they had been drawn to his ministry. A reed shaken with the wind? - The region of country in which John preached, being overflowed annually by the…”

“As they departed, he said concerning John - Of whom probably he would not have said so much when they were present. A reed shaken by the wind? - No; nothing could ever shake John in the testimony he gave to the truth. The expression is proverbial. Matthew 11:8”

“11:7 a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind: An unstable person. The implied answer to Jesus’ rhetorical question is no.”

“Jesus: Luk 7:24-30 What: Mat 3:1-3, Mat 3:5, Mat 21:25; Mar 1:3-5; Luk 3:3-7, Luk 8:18; Joh 1:38, Joh 5:35 A reed: Gen 49:4; Co2 1:17, Co2 1:18; Eph 4:14; Jam 1:6 Matthew 11:8”