Are You the One
This phrase is a direct inquiry from John the Baptist, who, despite his earlier proclamations about Jesus, finds himself in a moment of doubt while imprisoned. The Greek word for "One" is "ὁ ἐρχόμενος" (ho erchomenos), meaning "the coming one." This term is messianic, rooted in Jewish expectations of a deliverer. Historically, the Jewish people anticipated a Messiah who would liberate them from Roman oppression. John's question reflects a common expectation of a political savior, which contrasts with Jesus' spiritual mission.

who was to come
The phrase "who was to come" is a continuation of the messianic expectation. It echoes the prophecies found in the Old Testament, such as in Isaiah 35:4-6 and Malachi 3:1, where a coming deliverer is foretold. The Greek verb "ἔρχομαι" (erchomai) implies an arrival or advent, emphasizing the anticipation of the Messiah's coming. This expectation was deeply ingrained in Jewish culture and religious thought, highlighting the significance of Jesus' role in fulfilling these prophecies.

or should we look for someone else?
This part of the verse reveals John's uncertainty and the broader human tendency to doubt when circumstances do not align with expectations. The Greek word "προσδοκῶμεν" (prosdokōmen) means "to look for" or "to expect." It suggests an active searching or waiting for fulfillment. John's question invites readers to reflect on their understanding of Jesus' mission and challenges them to trust in God's plan, even when it defies human expectations. Historically, this reflects the tension between the anticipated political Messiah and the spiritual savior that Jesus embodied.

(3) Art thou he that should come?--There are no adequate grounds for assuming, as some have done, that the Baptist sent the disciples only to remove heir doubts. The question comes from him; the answer is sent to him. No difficulty in conceiving how the doubt which the question seems to imply could enter into the mind of the Baptist after the testimony which he had borne and that which he had heard, can warrant us in doing violence to what would seem to be the plain meaning of the history. And the meaning of the question is not far to seek. The sickness of deferred hope turns the full assurance of faith into something like despair. So of old Jeremiah had complained, in the bitterness of his spirit, that Jehovah had deceived him (Jeremiah 20:7). So now the Baptist, as week after week passed without the appearance of the kingdom as he expected it to appear, felt as if the King was deserting the forerunner and herald of His kingdom. The very wonders of which he heard made the feeling more grievous, for they seemed to give proof of the power, and to leave him to the conclusion that the will was wanting. And so he sends his disciples with the question, which is one of impatience rather than doubt, "Art Thou the coming One of whom the prophets spoke" (Psalm 40:7; Psalm 118:26; Malachi 3:1)? but if so, why tarry the wheels of Thy chariot? Are we still to look for another and a different Christ?"

Verse 3. - And said unto him. The question was brought from John; the answer is sent back to him (ver. 4). This points to the cause of the question lying ultimately, not with his disciples, but with himself. Although John might justly fear that they would follow him rather than Jesus (cf. Matthew 9:14, note), yet he seems to have made this inquiry for his own sake. He who stood on the Jewish side of the threshold of the kingdom (ver. 11) did not understand the methods by which the King was acting, and thus his faith was tried (comp. Tertullian, 'Adv. Marc.,' 4:18). In this he recalls his great prototype, whose plans seemed to have failed and his boldness to have done no good (1 Kings 19:13, 14). To both the answer implied that success was assured to quiet spiritual work. Art thou (emphatic) he that should come? he that cometh (Revised Version); ὁ ἐρχόμενος (comp. Matthew 3:11, note). The title was probably derived from Psalm 118:26, and would become the more known from the LXX. of Habakkuk 2:3 (comp. Hebrews 10:37), and perhaps also from a directly Messianic interpretation of Genesis 49:10. Or do we look for. The word (προσδοκῶμεν) contains no thought of looking about for, but only of earnest expectation. Another? Ἕτερον, and so in Luke 7:19; but ἄλλον in Luke 7:20 (where, however, Westcott and Heft margin reads ἕτερον). Observe that in both records the evangelist's own summary of John's message speaks of a difference in kind, but that in the form given by the messengers (Luke 7:20) it is only a matter of a second person coming (comp. Galatians 1:6, 7; 1 Corinthians 12:8, etc.; 1 Corinthians 15:39, etc.). John's disciples, that is to say, are represented as failing to catch the point of their master's question whether he must look, after all, for a Messiah who acts differently from the way in which Jesus acts.

Parallel Commentaries ...


to ask
εἶπεν (eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

Him,
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

“Are
εἶ (ei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

You
Σὺ (Sy)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

the
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

[One who] was to come,
ἐρχόμενος (erchomenos)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

or
ἢ (ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

should we look for
προσδοκῶμεν (prosdokōmen)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 4328: To expect, wait for, await, think, anticipate. From pros and dokeuo; to anticipate; by implication, to await.

someone else?”
ἕτερον (heteron)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2087: (a) of two: another, a second, (b) other, different, (c) one's neighbor. Of uncertain affinity; other or different.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 11:3 And said to him Are you he (Matt. Mat Mt)