Luke 7:24

24 And when the messengers of John had departed, he began to speak to the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

Luke 7:24 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 7:24

And when the messengers of John were departed
The Syriac and Persic versions read, "the disciples of John"; and the Arabic version, "the two disciples of John"; the two that he sent, when they were gone back with the answer of Christ;

he,
"Jesus", as the Persic version expresses it,

began to speak unto the people concerning John;
not caring to say any thing about him to the messengers, or whilst they were present, lest he should be charged with flattery; (See Gill on Matthew 11:7)

What went ye into the wilderness for to see? a reed shaken with the
wind?
an inconsistent, wavering, and unstable man? if so, they were greatly mistaken; or the motions and gesture of the man? (See Gill on Matthew 11:7).

Luke 7:24 In-Context

22 Then Jesus answering, said to them, Go, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; that the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

23 And blessed is [he], to whom I shall not be a stumbling block.

24 And when the messengers of John had departed, he began to speak to the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

25 But what went ye out to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they who are gorgeously appareled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.

26 But what went ye out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and much more than a prophet.