Matthew 11:4

“This whole section relating to John the Baptist, touching the message which he sent to Jesus, and the tenor of the reply which those whom he despatched received, and the terms in which the Lord spoke of John after the departure of these persons, is introduced also by Luke.” — editor's note: Matt. xi. 1–19.

“So then the disciples of John came; and the Lord said to them, “Go, tell John, the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the poor have the Gospel preached to them; and blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in Me.”” — editor's note: Matt. xi. 4–7.

“And again, “Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see.”” — editor's note: Matt. xi. 4.

“…the whole Spirit to the Lord, that he presently sent to inquire whether He whom he had himself preached, whom he had pointed out when coming to him, were “HE.”” — editor's note: Matt. xi. 2–6; Luke vii. 18–23. [He repeats this view.]

“Go and tell John, the blind receive their sight, the deaf hear, the lepers are cleansed, the dead are raised up; and blessed is he who shall not be offended in Me.”” — editor's note: Matt. xi. 3–6; Luke vii. 19, 22, 23.

“For the kingdom belongs pre-eminently to the violent, who, from investigation, and study, and discipline, reap this fruit, that they become kings.” — editor's note: [Matt. xi. 4.]

The Evangelist had shewn above how by Christ’s miracles and teaching, both His disciples and the multitudes had been instructed; he now shews how this instruction had reached even to John’s disciples, so that they…

We must enquire how John, who is a prophet and more than a prophet, who made known the Lord when He came to be baptized, saying, “Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sine of the world! — why, when he was…

But this seems hardly reasonable. For John was not in ignorance of His death, but was the first to preach it, saying, “Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh. away the sins of the world.” For thus calling Him the Lamb,…

But this question may be answered in a better way if we attend to the order of time. At the waters of Jordan he had affirmed that this was the Redeemer of the world: after he was thrown into prison, he enquires if…

Hence he frames his question thus, “Art thou he that is to come?” Not, Art Thou He that hast come? And the sense is, Direct me, since I am about to go down into the lower parts of the earth, whether I shall announce…

But is this a more reasonable explanation than the other? for why then did he not say, Art Thou He that is coming to the world beneath? and not simply, “Art thou he that is to come?” And the reason of his seeking to…

But it ought to be observed, that Jerome and Gregory did not say that John was to proclaim Christ’s coming to the world beneath, to the end that the unbelievers there might be converted to the faith, but that the…

It is indeed certain, that he who as forerunner proclaimed Christ’s coming, as prophet knew Him when He stood before him, and worshipped Him as Confessor when He came to him, could not fall into error from such…

Therefore he does not ask as being himself ignorant. But as the Saviour asks where Lazarus is buried, [margin note John 11:23] in order that they who shewed Him the sepulchre might be so far prepared for faith, and…

Yet whilst John was with them he held them rightly convinced concerning Christ. But when he was going to die, he was more concerned on their behalf. For he feared that he might leave his disciples a prey to some…

John then is providing not for his own, but his disciples’ ignorance; that they might know that it was no other whom he had proclaimed, he sent them to see His works, that the works might establish what John had…

So also Christ as knowing the mind of John, said not, I am He; for thus He would have put an obstacle in the way of those that heard Him, who would have at least thought within themselves, if they did not say, what…

This last is no less than the first. And understand it as if it had been said, Even “the poor;” that so between noble and mean, rich and poor, there may be no difference in preaching. This approves the strictness of…

“And blessed is he who shall not be offended in me,” is directed against the messengers; they were offended in Him. But He not publishing their doubts, and leaving it to their conscience alone, thus privately…

This saying, that they were blessed from whom there should be no offence in Him, shewed them what it was that John had provided against in sending them. For John, through fear of this very thing, had sent his…

Otherwise; The mind of unbelievers was greatly offended concerning Christ, because after many miracles done, they saw Him at length put to death; whence Paul speaks, “We preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a…

In these things which were done concerning John, there is a deep store of mystic meaning. The very condition and circumstances of a prophet are themselves a prophecy. John signifies the Law; for the Law proclaimed…

And perhaps the two disciples sent are the two people; those of the Jews, and those of the Gentiles who believed.

Matthew 11:4 and Luke 7:22 share the same wording (11 words).

Matthew 11:4 and Luke 10:24 share the same wording (10 words).

Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VI.17.

Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VI.17.

Cited together in Sermons on New Testament Lessons Sermon 16.

Cited together in Sermons on New Testament Lessons Sermon 16.

Cited together in Sermons on New Testament Lessons Sermon 16.

Cited together in John Chrysostom on Matthew 11:2–6 (4) (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Jerome on Matthew 11:2–6 (2) (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VI.17.

Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VI.17.

Cited together in Sermons on New Testament Lessons Sermon 16.

Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VI.17.

Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VI.17.

Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VI.17.

Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VI.17.