King James Version

What Does Matthew 11:4 Mean?

Matthew 11:4 in the King James Version says “Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:”

Matthew 11:4 · KJV

Context

2

Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

3

And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

4

Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:

5

The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

6

And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see. John the Baptist, imprisoned by Herod, sent disciples asking 'Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?' (Matthew 11:3). Jesus's response directs them to evidence: 'those things which ye do hear and see' (ἃ ἀκούετε καὶ βλέπετε/ha akouete kai blepete). Faith rests on objective facts, not subjective feelings.

Jesus then lists His works (verse 5): the blind see, lame walk, lepers cleansed, deaf hear, dead raised, poor hear gospel. These fulfill Isaiah's prophecies of the Messianic age (Isaiah 29:18-19, 35:5-6, 61:1). Jesus offers evidence, not merely assertion. 'Look at what I'm doing,' He says. 'Does this not confirm I am the promised One?'

This response shows Jesus's compassion for doubting believers. John, the forerunner who proclaimed Christ, now wavers in prison's darkness. Jesus doesn't condemn but provides evidence to strengthen faith. He later commends John as the greatest prophet (Matthew 11:11), showing that even great saints may experience doubt when circumstances press hard.

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Historical & Cultural Context

John's imprisonment by Herod Antipas (for condemning Herod's unlawful marriage to Herodias) lasted months before his execution (Matthew 14:3-12). In that dark cell, John questioned whether Jesus was fulfilling Messianic expectations. Where was the judgment John had preached (Matthew 3:10-12)? Why was the kingdom not manifesting in power? Jesus's answer reminded John that Messianic work was unfolding according to Scripture, though not according to human expectations.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus pointing to observable evidence encourage us to ground our faith in objective truth rather than subjective feelings?
  2. What does Jesus's patient response to John's doubt teach us about how God deals with His people when circumstances shake their confidence?
  3. How can we, like Jesus, point doubters to evidence of God's work rather than merely asserting truth or condemning their questions?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 13 words
καὶ1 of 13

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀποκριθεὶς2 of 13

“answered”

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

ὁ3 of 13
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦς4 of 13

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

εἶπεν5 of 13

“said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτοῖς6 of 13

“unto them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Πορευθέντες7 of 13

“Go”

G4198

to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)

ἀπαγγείλατε8 of 13

“again”

G518

to announce

Ἰωάννῃ9 of 13

“John”

G2491

joannes (i.e., jochanan), the name of four israelites

ἃ10 of 13

“those things which”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἀκούετε11 of 13

“ye do hear”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

καὶ12 of 13

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

βλέπετε·13 of 13

“see”

G991

to look at (literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 11:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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