Luke 7:26
New International Version
But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

New Living Translation
Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet.

English Standard Version
What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

Berean Standard Bible
What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

Berean Literal Bible
But what have you gone out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and one more excellent than a prophet.

King James Bible
But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.

New King James Version
But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.

New American Standard Bible
But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet.

NASB 1995
“But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and one who is more than a prophet.

NASB 1977
“But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and one who is more than a prophet.

Legacy Standard Bible
But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and even more than a prophet.

Amplified Bible
But what did you [really] go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and one far more [eminent and remarkable] than a prophet [who foretells the future].

Christian Standard Bible
What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet.

American Standard Version
But what went ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.

Contemporary English Version
What then did you go out to see? Was he a prophet? He certainly was! I tell you that he was more than a prophet.

English Revised Version
But what went ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Really, what did you go to see? A prophet? Let me tell you that he is far more than a prophet.

Good News Translation
Tell me, what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes indeed, but you saw much more than a prophet.

International Standard Version
Really, what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and even more than a prophet!

Majority Standard Bible
What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

NET Bible
What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

New Heart English Bible
But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.

Webster's Bible Translation
But what went ye out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and much more than a prophet.

Weymouth New Testament
But what did you go out to see? A Prophet? Aye, I tell you, and far more than a Prophet.

World English Bible
But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
But what have you gone forth to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and much more than a prophet:

Berean Literal Bible
But what have you gone out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and one more excellent than a prophet.

Young's Literal Translation
'But what have ye gone forth to see? a prophet? Yes, I say to you, and much more than a prophet:

Smith's Literal Translation
But what went ye out to see? A prophet? Yea, I say to you, superior to a prophet.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But what went you out to see? a prophet? Yea, I say to you, and more than a prophet.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Certainly, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

New American Bible
Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

New Revised Standard Version
What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And if not so, what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and much more than a prophet.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“But what did you go out to see? A Prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a Prophet.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and much more than a prophet.

Godbey New Testament
But what went you out to see? a prophet? Yea, and I say unto you even more than a prophet.

Haweis New Testament
But what went ye out to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.

Mace New Testament
what then did you go to see? a prophet? yes, I say it, and more than a prophet.

Weymouth New Testament
But what did you go out to see? A Prophet? Aye, I tell you, and far more than a Prophet.

Worrell New Testament
But what went ye forth to see? a prophet? Yea, I say to you, and much more than a prophet.

Worsley New Testament
a prophet? yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Testifies about John
25Otherwise, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Look, those who wear elegant clothing and live in luxury are found in palaces. 26What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.’…

Cross References
Matthew 11:9
What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

Malachi 3:1
“Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts.

Matthew 3:3
This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’”

Isaiah 40:3
A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.

John 1:23
John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet: “I am a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”

Matthew 14:5
Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a prophet.

Mark 1:2-3
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way.” / “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’”

John 5:35
John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you were willing for a season to bask in his light.

Matthew 21:26
But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard John as a prophet.”

Mark 11:32
But if we say, ‘From men’...” they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John truly was a prophet.

Matthew 17:12-13
But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him whatever they wished. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.” / Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them about John the Baptist.

John 1:6-8
There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John. / He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe. / He himself was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.

2 Kings 1:8
“He was a hairy man,” they answered, “with a leather belt around his waist.” “It was Elijah the Tishbite,” said the king.

Zechariah 13:4
And on that day every prophet who prophesies will be ashamed of his vision, and he will not put on a hairy cloak in order to deceive.

Matthew 3:11
I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.


Treasury of Scripture

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

A prophet.

Luke 1:76
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

Luke 20:6
But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

and.

Luke 16:16
The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

See on

Matthew 11:9-14
But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet…

John 3:26
And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

John 5:35
He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

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Luke 7
1. Jesus finds a greater faith in the centurion;
10. heals his servant, being absent;
11. raises from death the widow's son at Nain;
18. answers John's messengers with the declaration of his miracles;
24. testifies to the people what opinion he held of John;
31. compares this generation to the children in the marketplaces,
36. and allowing his feet to be washed and anointed by a woman who was a sinner,
44. he shows how he is a friend to sinners, to forgive them their sins, upon their repentance.














What then did you go out to see?
This question is posed by Jesus to the crowd, prompting them to reflect on their expectations when they went to see John the Baptist. It challenges the audience to consider their motivations and the significance of John's ministry. In the context of Luke 7, Jesus is addressing the crowd after John's disciples have come to Him with questions from John. This rhetorical question emphasizes the importance of understanding the true nature of John's role in God's plan.

A prophet?
John the Baptist is identified as a prophet, aligning him with the long line of prophets in Israel's history who spoke God's truth to the people. Prophets were often seen as messengers of God, calling for repentance and foretelling future events. John's role as a prophet is significant because he is the forerunner to the Messiah, preparing the way for Jesus. This connects to Malachi 3:1, where a messenger is foretold to prepare the way for the Lord.

Yes, I tell you,
Jesus affirms John's prophetic role, validating his ministry and message. This affirmation from Jesus underscores the divine authority and mission of John the Baptist. It also serves to confirm to the audience that John's message of repentance and the coming kingdom was indeed from God.

and more than a prophet.
John is described as more than a prophet because he not only delivered God's message but also played a unique role in salvation history. He is the one who directly prepared the way for Jesus, the Messiah. This makes him greater than the prophets who came before him, as he had the privilege of announcing the immediate arrival of the Savior. This statement highlights the fulfillment of prophecy and the ushering in of a new covenant through Jesus Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The speaker of this verse, addressing the crowd about John the Baptist.

2. John the Baptist
The subject of Jesus' discourse, recognized as a prophet and more.

3. The Crowd
The audience to whom Jesus is speaking, who had gone out to see John.

4. The Wilderness
The place where John the Baptist preached and baptized, drawing many to hear his message.

5. Prophets
The historical figures in Israel who spoke God's word, with John being the last of the Old Testament prophets.
Teaching Points
Understanding Prophetic Roles
John the Baptist is not just a prophet but the forerunner to Christ, emphasizing the importance of his role in God's redemptive plan.

Recognizing Fulfillment of Prophecy
John's life and ministry fulfill Old Testament prophecies, demonstrating God's faithfulness and the continuity of His plan.

The Importance of Preparation
Just as John prepared the way for Jesus, we are called to prepare our hearts and lives for Christ's work in us.

The Value of Seeking Truth
The crowd went out to see John because they were seeking truth. We should also actively seek God's truth in our lives.

The Role of Witnesses
Like John, we are called to be witnesses to Christ, pointing others to Him through our words and actions.Verse 26. - But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. The great Teacher proceeds in his discourse. From the scene and the surroundings - the reeds of the banks of Jordan - he went on to speak of the great Jordan preacher, so unlike, in spite of this one weak wavering hour, the reeds in the midst of which he preached. Jesus thus painted the grave, austere man, first in his stern enmity to the seductive magnificence of a court-life, then in his severe austerity as regards himself. Who, then, was he - this preacher to whom the people had resorted in such crowds to see and hear? Was he a prophet? was he one more of those men who in past ages had been the salt which preserved Israel from decay? Yes; that is what he was, that true great one - a prophet in the deepest, truest sense of the word. Ah! higher still, went on the Teacher, John was much more than a prophet. What then? and the by-standers marvelled; what more could he be? Was he, peradventure, the Messiah?

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
Ἀλλὰ (Alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

what
τί (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

did you go out
ἐξήλθατε (exēlthate)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1831: To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue.

to see?
ἰδεῖν (idein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

A prophet?
προφήτην (prophētēn)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4396: From a compound of pro and phemi; a foreteller; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet.

Yes,
ναί (nai)
Particle
Strong's 3483: Yes, certainly, even so. A primary particle of strong affirmation; yes.

I tell
λέγω (legō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

you,
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

more
περισσότερον (perissoteron)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular - Comparative
Strong's 4053: From peri; superabundant or superior; by implication, excessive; adverbially violently; neuter preeminence.

than a prophet.
προφήτου (prophētou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 4396: From a compound of pro and phemi; a foreteller; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet.


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