Matthew 11:2

Friday, 20 June 2025

 

And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples... Matthew 11:2

 

“And John, having heard in the prison the works of the Christ, having sent two of his disciples” (CG).

 

In the previous verse, Jesus departed to teach and preach in their cities. It now says, “And John, having heard in the prison.”

 

The word desmótérion, prison, is introduced. It is derived from desmon, a bond, chain, or fetter. As such, it speaks of a place of bondage, such as a dungeon or prison. The reason for his imprisonment is not recorded until Matthew 14 –

 

“At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus 2 and said to his servants, ‘This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.’ 3 For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. 4 Because John had said to him, ‘It is not lawful for you to have her.’ 5 And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.” Matthew 14:1-5

 

John is in prison, but it is apparent that he had freedoms while there. In Mark 6, during his time in prison, it says –

 

“Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.” Mark 6:19, 20

 

It is during this time in prison that John heard about “the works of the Christ.” Including the article before Christ changes the tone of the narrative –

 

John heard about the works of Christ.

John heard about the works of the Christ.

 

What appears to be the intent is that while in prison, John has heard about the things the Christ (the Messiah) had been doing. But one of the things the Messiah was prophesied to do would have affected him personally –

 

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound.” Isaiah 61:1

 

Because of his imprisonment and because of the promises stated in Isaiah, John may have been wondering where the disconnect was. Therefore, it says, “having sent two of his disciples.” 

 

This continues to tell us that John had freedoms while in prison. He was allowed to be visited by his disciples and give word to them to go on a mission. As for the words, some texts say dia, through, instead of duo, two. In other words, it would mean he sent a message by his disciples rather than he sent two disciples. Luke 7:19 says duo, two.

 

Life application: Concerning the difference between through and two above, a few commentaries give their thoughts –

 

“For ‘two of his disciples’ read, on the best MS. authority, by means of his disciples.” Cambridge

 

“Possibly the slight difference between διά, the true reading here, and δύο, which is genuine in Luke, points to the common source (observe here a Greek source) having been written, but with the close similarity in sound this need not have been the case. Observe that the true reading lays slightly more emphasis on the fact of the inquiry coming from John himself.” Pulpit Commentary

 

“Two of his disciples (δύο) But the correct reading is διά, by. He sent by his disciples. So Rev.” Vincent’s Word Studies

 

Cambridge says the text which says dia is “the best.” Pulpit says it is “the true reading.” Vincent’s says it is “the correct reading.” Did you accept their thoughts? Did you ask yourself, “How do they know this?” Did you consider that “best” is a subjective word