Matthew 11:7
New International Version
As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind?

New Living Translation
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?

English Standard Version
As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

Berean Standard Bible
As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind?

Berean Literal Bible
And as these were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

King James Bible
And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

New King James Version
As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

New American Standard Bible
As these disciples of John were going away, Jesus began speaking to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

NASB 1995
As these men were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

NASB 1977
And as these were going away, Jesus began to speak to the multitudes about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind?

Legacy Standard Bible
Now as these men were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

Amplified Bible
As these men were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out in the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind [which is commonplace]?

Christian Standard Bible
As these men were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
As these men went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind?

American Standard Version
And as these went their way, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? a reed shaken with the wind?

Contemporary English Version
As John's followers were going away, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John: What sort of person did you go out into the desert to see? Was he like tall grass blown about by the wind?

English Revised Version
And as these went their way, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? a reed shaken with the wind?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
As they were leaving, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John. "What did you go into the desert to see? Tall grass swaying in the wind?

Good News Translation
While John's disciples were leaving, Jesus spoke about him to the crowds: "When you went out to John in the desert, what did you expect to see? A blade of grass bending in the wind?

International Standard Version
As they were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John. "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

Majority Standard Bible
As John?s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: ?What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind?

NET Bible
While they were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

New Heart English Bible
And as these went their way, Jesus began to say to the crowds concerning John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

Webster's Bible Translation
And as they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? a reed shaken with the wind?

Weymouth New Testament
When the messengers had taken their leave, Jesus proceeded to say to the multitude concerning John, "What did you go out into the Desert to gaze at? A reed waving in the wind?

World English Bible
As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And as they are going, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out to the wilderness to view? A reed shaken by the wind?

Berean Literal Bible
And as these were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

Young's Literal Translation
And as they are going, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, 'What went ye out to the wilderness to view? -- a reed shaken by the wind?

Smith's Literal Translation
And these going forth, Jesus began to say to the crowds concerning John, What went ye forth into the desert to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when they went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: What went you out into the desert to see? a reed shaken with the wind?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then, after they departed, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

New American Bible
As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?

New Revised Standard Version
As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When they went away, Jesus began to speak to the people concerning John, What did you go out to the wilderness to see? A reed which is shaken by the wind?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But when they departed, Yeshua began to say to the crowds about Yohannan, “What did you go out to the wilderness to see, a reed shaken by the wind?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
As these were going away, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

Godbey New Testament
And they departing, Jesus began to speak to the multitudes concerning John, What went you out in the wilderness to see? a reed shaken by the wind?

Haweis New Testament
And when they were gone, Jesus began to speak to the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

Mace New Testament
As they departed, Jesus said to the people, speaking of John, what did ye go to see in the desert? a reed shaken with the wind?

Weymouth New Testament
When the messengers had taken their leave, Jesus proceeded to say to the multitude concerning John, "What did you go out into the Desert to gaze at? A reed waving in the wind?

Worrell New Testament
And, as these were going, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, "What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? a reed shaken by the wind?

Worsley New Testament
And as they departed, Jesus took occasion to say to the people concerning John, What went ye out into the desert to see? a reed shaken by the wind?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Testifies about John
6Blessed is the one who does not fall away on account of Me.” 7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind? 8Otherwise, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Look, those who wear fine clothing are found in kings’ palaces.…

Cross References
Luke 7:24
After John’s messengers had left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind?

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.

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.

Matthew 3:1-3
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea / and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” / 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.’”

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 1:19-23
And this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” / He did not refuse to confess, but openly declared, “I am not the Christ.” / “Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” ...

Matthew 3:4
John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

Mark 1:4-6
John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. / People went out to him from all of Jerusalem and the countryside of Judea. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. / John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

Luke 3:2-6
during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. / He went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, / as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him. ...

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.

John 5:33-35
You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. / Even though I do not accept human testimony, I say these things so that you may be saved. / John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you were willing for a season to bask in his light.

Matthew 17:10-13
The disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” / Jesus replied, “Elijah does indeed come, and he will restore all things. / 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.” ...

Mark 9:11-13
And they asked Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” / He replied, “Elijah does indeed come first, and he restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected? / But I tell you that Elijah has indeed come, and they have done to him whatever they wished, just as it is written about him.”

Luke 1:76-77
And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him, / to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,

Isaiah 42:1-4
“Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations. / He will not cry out or raise His voice, nor make His voice heard in the streets. / A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And as they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, What went you out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

Jesus.

Luke 7:24-30
And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? …

What.

Matthew 3:1-3,5
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, …

Matthew 21:25
The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?

Mark 1:3-5
The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight…

A reed.

Genesis 49:4
Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.

2 Corinthians 1:17,18
When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay? …

Ephesians 4:14
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Jump to Previous
Crowds Departed Desert Disciples Gaze Jesus John John's Leave Messengers Moved Multitude Multitudes Proceeded Reed Shaken Speak Stem Talking Tall View Waste Waving Way Wilderness Wind
Jump to Next
Crowds Departed Desert Disciples Gaze Jesus John John's Leave Messengers Moved Multitude Multitudes Proceeded Reed Shaken Speak Stem Talking Tall View Waste Waving Way Wilderness Wind
Matthew 11
1. John sends his disciples to Jesus.
7. Jesus' testimony concerning John.
16. The perverse judgment of the people concerning the Son.
20. Jesus upbraids Korazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum;
25. and praising his Father's wisdom in revealing the Gospel to the simple,
28. he calls to him those who are weary and burdened.














As John’s disciples were leaving
This phrase indicates a transition moment where John the Baptist's disciples, who had come to Jesus with questions from John, are departing. This context is crucial as it shows the direct connection between John and Jesus, highlighting John's role as the forerunner to the Messiah. The departure of the disciples signifies the end of their mission and the beginning of Jesus' teaching to the crowd about John.

Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John
Here, Jesus takes the opportunity to address the crowd regarding John the Baptist's significance. This public affirmation of John underscores his prophetic role and the importance of his ministry. It also serves to clarify any misconceptions about John’s identity and mission, reinforcing his position as the one who prepares the way for the Lord, as prophesied in Isaiah 40:3.

What did you go out into the wilderness to see?
The wilderness is a significant location in biblical history, often associated with spiritual encounters and divine revelation. By asking this question, Jesus challenges the crowd to reflect on their motivations and expectations when they went to see John. The wilderness setting also connects to the Israelites' journey and their encounters with God, emphasizing the prophetic nature of John's ministry.

A reed swaying in the wind?
This metaphor suggests instability and lack of conviction, characteristics not associated with John the Baptist. By posing this rhetorical question, Jesus highlights John's steadfastness and unwavering commitment to his prophetic calling. The imagery of a reed may also allude to the political and social pressures of the time, contrasting John's firm stance with the vacillating nature of public opinion and leadership.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus
The central figure of the New Testament, the Son of God, who is speaking to the crowds about John the Baptist.

2. John the Baptist
A prophet and forerunner of Jesus, known for his ascetic lifestyle and his role in baptizing Jesus.

3. The Crowds
The people who followed Jesus and John, seeking spiritual truth and guidance.

4. The Wilderness
The region where John the Baptist preached and baptized, symbolizing a place of spiritual preparation and encounter with God.

5. Reed Swaying in the Wind
A metaphor used by Jesus to describe something that is easily swayed or unstable, contrasting with John's steadfastness.
Teaching Points
Steadfastness in Faith
Just as John was not a "reed swaying in the wind," believers are called to be firm in their faith, not easily swayed by external pressures or opinions.

Seeking True Spiritual Leaders
The crowds went to the wilderness to see John because he was a true prophet. We should seek spiritual leaders who are grounded in truth and integrity.

Understanding Prophetic Fulfillment
Recognizing John as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy helps us see the continuity and reliability of God's Word.

Evaluating Our Expectations
Jesus challenges the crowd's expectations of John. We should examine our own expectations of spiritual experiences and leaders, ensuring they align with biblical truth.

The Role of the Wilderness
The wilderness is a place of preparation and encounter with God. We should embrace times of spiritual solitude and reflection as opportunities for growth.(7) As they departed.--There was an obvious risk that those who heard the question of the Baptist, and our Lord's answer, might be led to think with undue harshness, perhaps even with contempt, of one who had so far failed in steadfastness. As if to meet that risk, Jesus turns, before the messengers were out of hearing, to bear His testimony to the work and character of John. But a little while before, almost as his last public utterance, the forerunner had borne his witness to the King (John 3:23-36), and now He, in His turn, recognises to the full all the greatness of the work which that forerunner had accomplished.

What went ye out . . .?--The tense points to the time when the first proclamation of the Baptist, as the voice of one crying in the wilderness, drew out crowds to listen to him. Jesus, by His question, bids them recall the impression which had then been made upon them. Had they gone out to see "a reed shaken by the wind?" The imagery was, of course, drawn from the rushes that grew upon the banks of the Jordan, but the use of the singular shows that it was meant to be understood symbolically. Had they gone out to see one who was swayed this way and that by every blast of popular feeling? No, not that; something quite other than that was what they had then beheld.

Verses 7-15. - Jesus recognition of the greatness of John as herald. Vers. 7-11: parallel passage: Luke 7:24-28. Verse 7. - And as they departed; and as these went their way (Revised Version). Fulfilling his command (ver. 4). It' we may combine the language of St. Matthew and St. Luke ("when the messengers of John were departed"), we may say that they had left the circle immediately round our Lord, but were hardly further than the outskirts of the crowd. What went ye out into the wilderness to see? to behold (Revised Version); θεάσασθαι (cf. θέατρον,). It almost suggests that they went out as though to see a spectacle. They were stirred by no deeper motive. Bengel compares John 5:35. A reed shaken with the wind? If the reed referred to by our Lord was the papyrus, which still grows freely in certain parts of the Jordan valley, the description of this plant in 'Rob Roy on the Jordan,' ch. 17, is specially interesting: "There is first a lateral trunk, lying on the water and half-submerged. This is sometimes as thick as a man's body, and from its lower side hang innumerable string-like roots from three to five feet long, and of a deep purple colour .... These pendent roots... retard much of the surface-current where the papyrus grows On the upper surface of the trunks the stems grow alternately in oblique rows;, their thickness at the junction is often four inches, and their height fifteen feet, gracefully tapering until at the top is a little round knob, with long, thin brown, wire-like hairs eighteen inches long, which rise and then, recurving, hang about it in a thyrsus-shaped head." He also says, "The whole jungle of papyrus was floating upon the water, and so the waves raised by the breeze were rocking the green curtain to and fro." This explained "a most curious hissing, grinding, bustling sound, that was heard like waves upon a shingly beach," as "the papyrus stems were rubbing against each other as they nodded out and in." It is, however, much more probable that the reed referred to was "the Arundo donax, a very tall cane, growing twelve feet high, with a magnificent panicle of blossom at the top, and so slender and yielding that it will lie perfectly flat under a gust of wind, and immediately resume its upright position." It grows especially on the western side of the Dead Sea (cf. Tristram, 'Natural History of the Bible,' p. 4,37, edit. 1889). To our Lord's question no answer was needed. John had rejected the overtures of the nationalists (John 1:19-21), and had not feared to rebuke a king (Matthew 14:4).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
As [John’s disciples]
Τούτων (Toutōn)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

were leaving,
πορευομένων (poreuomenōn)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 4198: To travel, journey, go, die.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

began
ἤρξατο (ērxato)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 756: To begin. Middle voice of archo; to commence.

to speak
λέγειν (legein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

to the
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

crowds
ὄχλοις (ochlois)
Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3793: From a derivative of echo; a throng; by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot.

about
περὶ (peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

John:
Ἰωάννου (Iōannou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2491: Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites.

“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.

into
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

wilderness
ἔρημον (erēmon)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2048: Lonesome, i.e. waste.

to see?
θεάσασθαι (theasasthai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Middle
Strong's 2300: A prolonged form of a primary verb; to look closely at, i.e. perceive; by extension to visit.

A reed
κάλαμον (kalamon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2563: A reed; a reed-pen, reed-staff, measuring rod. Or uncertain affinity; a reed; by implication, a pen.

swaying
σαλευόμενον (saleuomenon)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4531: From salos; to waver, i.e. Agitate, rock, topple or destroy; figuratively, to disturb, incite.

in
ὑπὸ (hypo)
Preposition
Strong's 5259: A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).

[the] wind?
ἀνέμου (anemou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 417: The wind; fig: applied to empty doctrines. From the base of aer; wind; by implication, quarters.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 11:7 As these went their way Jesus began (Matt. Mat Mt)
Matthew 11:6
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