Luke 7:24

24 When John's messengers had gone, Jesus^[a] began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out ¹into the wilderness to see? ²A reed shaken by the wind?

Luke 7:24 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 7:24

And when the messengers of John were departed
The Syriac and Persic versions read, "the disciples of John"; and the Arabic version, "the two disciples of John"; the two that he sent, when they were gone back with the answer of Christ;

he,
"Jesus", as the Persic version expresses it,

began to speak unto the people concerning John;
not caring to say any thing about him to the messengers, or whilst they were present, lest he should be charged with flattery; (See Gill on Matthew 11:7)

What went ye into the wilderness for to see? a reed shaken with the
wind?
an inconsistent, wavering, and unstable man? if so, they were greatly mistaken; or the motions and gesture of the man? (See Gill on Matthew 11:7).

Luke 7:24 In-Context

22 And he answered them, "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them.

23 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me."

24 When John's messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

25 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings' courts.

26 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

Cross References

• 1. Luke 1:80; Luke 3:2
• 2. [Ephesians 4:14; James 1:6]

Footnotes

• [a]. Greek he