Matthew 11:9

“But what went ye out for to see? etc.] Since it was not any thing so mean as a shaking reed, or so grand as a man in gay clothing, pray what was it you went out to see? A prophet? This was the truth of the matter, they expected to see a prophet, and they believed he was one; this was the common voice of the people; all held John to be a prophet. This made Herod afraid to put him to death, and the Pharisees to speak against his baptism: now, though this was giving him a great character, to believe and own him to be a prophet, yet it did not come up to his full character. Yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet; when they saw him, they saw not only a prophet, but one that was greater, and…”

“A prophet? - He next asks whether they went to see a prophet. They had regarded him as such, and Jesus tells them that in this their apprehensions of him were correct. More than a prophet - Sustaining a character more elevated and sacred than the most distinguished of the ancient prophets. Those had been regarded as the most eminent of the prophets who had most clearly predicted the Messiah. Isaiah had been distinguished above all others for the sublimity of his writings, and the clearness with which he had foretold the coming of Christ. Yet John surpassed even him. He lived in the time of the Messiah himself. He predicted his coming with still more clarity. He was the instrument of…”

“More than a prophet - For the prophets only pointed me out afar off; but John was my immediate forerunner. Matthew 11:10”

“A prophet: Mat 11:13, Mat 11:14, Mat 14:5, Mat 17:12, Mat 17:13, Mat 21:24-26; Mar 9:11-13; Luk 1:15-17, Luk 1:76 Matthew 11:10”