How does Matthew 11:2 connect to Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah? Text of Matthew 11 : 2 “While John was in prison, he heard about the works of the Christ and sent two of his disciples” John’s Expectation Born from Scripture - John the Baptist had preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 3 : 2), convinced that the One coming after him would fulfill all messianic promises. - From childhood he had been steeped in passages like Isaiah 40 : 3, Malachi 3 : 1, and Isaiah 35 : 4–6; they shaped his picture of the Messiah’s activity. - Hearing about “the works of the Christ” triggered those very prophecies in his mind, prompting him to verify that Jesus truly was the Promised One. Messianic Works Jesus Was Performing - Opening blind eyes - Enabling the lame to walk - Cleansing lepers - Restoring hearing to the deaf - Raising the dead - Preaching good news to the poor These deeds are precisely what the Old Testament said Messiah would do. Old Testament Passages Foreshadowing Matthew 11 : 2 • Isaiah 35 : 4–6 – “Behold, your God will come… Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer…” – Jesus’ miracles mirror this list, confirming His identity when John hears of them. • Isaiah 61 : 1–2 – “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to bring good news to the afflicted…” – Christ’s preaching to the poor (Matthew 11 : 5) echoes these words. • Psalm 146 : 8–9 – “The LORD opens the eyes of the blind…the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down…” – Jesus acts out God’s covenant faithfulness described in the psalm. • Isaiah 26 : 19 – “Your dead will live; their bodies will rise.” – Reports of resurrections (e.g., Jairus’s daughter, Luke 8 : 49–56) reach John, matching this prophecy. • Malachi 3 : 1 – John himself is the “messenger” preparing the way; hearing of Jesus’ works in prison assures him the plan is unfolding exactly as foretold. Implications for John’s Question (vv. 3–6) - Imprisoned, John wonders why the victorious King has not yet judged evil; he sends messengers to ask, “Are You the One?” - Jesus replies by citing Isaiah-style proofs (Matthew 11 : 4–5), directing John back to Scripture for certainty. - The answer reaffirms that prophetic milestones are being met literally; judgment will come in God’s timing, but mercy is unveiled first. Takeaway for Today - Matthew 11 : 2 serves as a hinge: John’s awareness of Christ’s deeds links the Old Testament hope to New Testament fulfillment. - The Messiah’s works align perfectly with prophetic detail, demonstrating that God keeps His Word exactly as written. - Confidence in the reliability of Scripture grows when we trace these connections—every promise is yes and amen in Christ (2 Corinthians 1 : 20). |
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