Matthew 11:8

“But what went ye out for to see? etc.] Since it cannot be thought it was to see the reeds in the wilderness blow to and fro by the wind, or a man like one of them, either in gesture or doctrine; was it to see a man clothed in soft raiment? In raiment made of soft materials, as fine wool, cotton, silk, etc. such as Mecaenos wore, and who was therefore called Malacinus f676: one finely dressed, and richly apparelled, draws the eyes of persons to him; but such an one is not to be expected in a wilderness: and if the Jews went to see such a person, they were greatly disappointed; for John’s raiment was of camel’s hair, undressed, and he had a leathern girdle about his loins; and as for his diet,…”

“Clothed in soft raiment - The kind of raiment here denoted was the light, thin clothing worn by effeminate persons. It was made commonly of fine linen, and was worn chiefly for ornament. Christ asks them whether they were attracted by anything like that. He says that the desert was not the place to expect it. In the palaces of kings, in the court of Herod, it might be expected, but not in the place where John was. This kind of clothing was an emblem of riches, splendor, effeminacy, feebleness of character. He meant to say that John was a man of a different stamp - coarse in his exterior, hardy in his character, firm in his virtue, suited to endure trials and privations, and thus qualified to…”

“A man clothed in soft, delicate raiment - An effeminate courtier, accustomed to fawning and flattery? You may expect to find persons of such a character in palaces; not in a wilderness. Matthew 11:9”

“A man: Mat 3:4; Kg2 1:8; Isa 20:2; Zac 13:4; Co1 4:11; Co2 11:27; Rev 11:3 Matthew 11:9”