Matthew 11 · Verse 2

Matthew 11:2

Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
Matthew 11:2, King James Version

Matthew 11:2 in other translations

BSBMeanwhile John heard in prison about the works of Christ, and he sent his disciples
WEBNow when John heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples
ASVNow when John heard in the prison the works of the Christ, he sent by his disciples
YLTAnd John having heard in the prison the works of the Christ, having sent two of his disciples,
DARBYBut John, having heard in the prison the works of the Christ, sent by his disciples,
BBENow when John had news in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples
WebsterNow when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

What does Matthew 11:2 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
2. Now when John had heard in the prison--For the account of this imprisonment, see on Mr 6:17-20. the works of Christ, he sent, &c.--On the whole passage, see on Lu 7:18-35.

Mt 11:20-30. Outburst of Feeling Suggested to the Mind of Jesus by the Result of His Labors in Galilee.

The connection of this with what goes before it and the similarity of its tone make it evident, we think, that it was delivered on the same occasion, and that it is but a new and more comprehensive series of reflections in the same strain.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 2. The account contained in this chapter of Matthew to the 19th verse, is found, with no material variation, in Lk 7:18-35. John was in prison. Herod had thrown him into confinement, on account of John's faithfulness in reproving him for marrying his brother Philip's wife. See Mt 14:3,4.

It is not certainly known why John sent to Jesus. It might have been to satisfy his disciples that Jesus was the Messiah; or he might have been desirous of ascertaining for himself whether this person of whom he heard so much was the same one whom he had baptized, and whom he knew to be the Messiah. See Jn 1:29.

(d) "Now when John" Lk 7:18

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 2 John had heard in the prison - John was cast into prison by order of Herod Antipas, Mat 14:3, etc., (where see the notes), a little after our Lord began his public ministry, Mat 4:12; and after the first passover, Joh 3:24.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 11:2-6
Some think that John sent this inquiry for his own satisfaction. Where there is true faith, yet there may be a mixture of unbelief. The remaining unbelief of good men may sometimes, in an hour of temptation; call in question the most important truths. But we hope that John's faith did not fail in this matter, and that he only desired to have it strengthened and confirmed. Others think that John sent his disciples to Christ for their satisfaction. Christ points them to what they heard and saw. Christ's gracious condescensions and compassions to the poor, show that it was he that should bring to the world the tender mercies of our God. Those things which men see and hear, if compared with the Scriptures, direct in what way salvation is to be found. It is difficult to conquer prejudices, and dangerous not to conquer them; but those who believe in Christ, their faith will be found so much the more to praise, and honour, and glory.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Matthew 11:2 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ὉHo<the>G3588
δὲdeAndG1161
ἸωάννηςIōannēsJohnG2491
ἀκούσαςakousashaving heardG191
ἐνeninG1722
τῷtōtheG3588
δεσμωτηρίῳdesmōtēriōprisonG1201
τὰtatheG3588
ἔργαergaworksG2041
τοῦtouof theG3588
Χριστοῦ,ChristouChrist,G5547
πέμψαςpempsashaving sentG3992
διὰdiaon account ofG1223
τῶνtōnof theG3588
μαθητῶνmathētōndisciplesG3101
αὐτοῦautouof himG846

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Matthew 11:2

  • Matthew 14:3

    For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife.

  • Mark 6:17

    For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife: for he had married her.

  • Matthew 4:12

    Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;

  • Luke 7:18-35

    And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things. And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. …

  • Matthew 9:14

    Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?

  • Acts 19:1-3

    And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.

  • John 4:1

    When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,

  • Luke 3:19

    But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,

  • John 3:24-28

    For John was not yet cast into prison. Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. …

  • Matthew 1:17

    So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
in.
4:12; 14:3; Mr 6:17; Lu 3:19; 7:18-23; Joh 3:24
he.
9:14; Joh 3:25-28; 4:1; Ac 19:1-3

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Matthew 11:1

    And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.

  • Matthew 11:2

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

  • Matthew 11:3

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

Read all of Matthew 11

Matthew 11:2 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Y oyendo Juan en la prisión los hechos de Cristo, le envió dos de sus discípulos,
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Et Jean, ayant entendu parler dans la prison des œuvres du Christ, envoya par ses disciples,
German
Elberfelder 1871
Als aber Johannes im Gefängnis die Werke des Christus hörte, sandte er durch seine Jünger
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Joannes autem cum audisset in vinculis opera Christi, mittens duos de discipulis suis,