Matthew 11:8

8 Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces.

Matthew 11:8 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 11:8

But what went ye out for to see?
&c.] 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 such as Mecaenos wore, and who was therefore called Malacinus ^F25: 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, it was locusts and wild honey: no,

behold they that wear soft clothing,
or, as Luke says, are "gorgeously apparelled"; to which he adds,

and live delicately, are in kings' houses,
or "courts"; not in a desert, where John came preaching, nor in a prison, where he now was: he was no light, inconstant, flattering person, as generally courtiers are; had he, he would not have been in a prison; it was for his uprightness and faithfulness, in reproving Herod the king, that he was in such a place and condition. Thus from his very garb and diet, his character is vindicated from the charge of levity and change.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F25 Alex. ab Alex. Genial Dier. 1. 5. c. 18.

Matthew 11:8 In-Context

6 And tell him, ‘God blesses those who do not turn away because of me. ’”

7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind?

8 Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces.

9 Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet.

10 John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.’