REPORT WHAT YOU HEAR AND SEE

Passage: Matthew 11:1-6

Key verse: 4

NIV

Jesus and John the Baptist(A)

11 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples,(B) he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.[a]

2 When John,(C) who was in prison,(D) heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come,(E) or should we expect someone else?”

4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[b] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.(F) 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”(G)

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 11:1 Greek in their towns
  2. Matthew 11:5 The Greek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Messengers from John the Baptist

11 When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

2 (A)Now when John heard (B)in prison about the deeds of (C)the Christ, he sent word by (D)his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you (E)the one who is to come, or shall we (F)look for another?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 (G)the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers[a] are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and (H)the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who (I)is not offended by me.”

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 11:5 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Are you the one who was to come? (1-3)

John the Baptist had prepared the way for Jesus the Messiah. He called people to repent; he baptized Jesus and announced that Jesus is the Lamb of God, and the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. But now, while Jesus' ministry flourished in Galilee, John was languishing in prison. John's disciples must have struggled with doubt. John did not doubt Jesus; he was not a reed swayed in the wind; he wanted his disciples to know Jesus and believe in him, so he sent them to Jesus.

2. Go tell what you see and hear (4-6)

Jesus did not give John's disciples a theological answer. His life and ministry fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah (35:4-6; 61:1). He told John's troubled disciples to look and listen, and then to go tell John what they saw and heard. John's disciples would be blessed if they trusted God and believed in Jesus to the end.

Prayer: Lord, give me eyes to see beyond my own situation; help me to see Jesus. Help me to base my faith on your word, not on my feelings.

One Word: Go and see; believe and tell