Matthew 11:3

Saturday, 21 June 2025

 

and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” Matthew 11:3

 

“...they said to Him, ‘You, You are ‘the coming,’ or do another we anticipate?” (CG).

 

In the previous verse, it noted that John the Baptist had heard about Jesus’ works in prison and sent two of his disciples. Now, it notes that “they said to Him, “You, You are ‘the Coming?’”

 

One can see the emphatic nature of his question, directly speaking to Jesus with the pronoun su, You, followed by the verb which repeats the thought, You are. John’s question about “the Coming” suggests nothing other than the anticipated Messiah. However, it is debated what he is referring to. Several general suggestions are –

 

* His faith is failing, and he is wondering if his original thoughts concerning Jesus were incorrect.

* He has heard of the works of Jesus and is not sure if this is the same Person he baptized.

* His disciples need to know that He is the Messiah, and so he sent them to confirm to them that this is the One.

* He is trying to spur Jesus to make his proclamation that He is, in fact, the Messiah.

 

Proponents of these, and various other scenarios, state their reasons for their view. As for John’s words, they continue with, “or do another we anticipate?”

 

The word prosdokaó, to anticipate, is introduced. This anticipation can be in thought, in waiting, in hope, in fear, etc. It is derived from pros, to or toward, and dokeuo, to watch. It is as if someone is leaning forward intently, watching for their anticipation to arrive or materialize. What John asks about concerning this anticipation is “another.”

 

Here he uses the word héteros, another, but of a distinct kind. The word állos, another of the same kind, is not used. John has heard of the works of the Christ. Hearing of them, he is now confused. The works of Jesus have been clearly presented to him, something Jesus will confirm in His response to John. Jesus’ response will imply that He knows John is already aware of those things.

 

Therefore, John is not questioning his faith in Jesus. He would know full well that this is the same Person he baptized. His disciples also already know He is the proclaimed Messiah. John could have saved them the effort and just reminded them of this.

 

This is especially so because John 1 records that two of John’s disciples heard his words and followed Jesus. The fact was already known and established. There is no reason to assume that John is trying to spur Jesus to proclaim that He is the Messiah. If that were so, Jesus would have responded as He did with His mother, saying that His hour had not yet come.

 

The use of “the Christ” in the previous verse could have been substituted with “Jesus.” If that were the case, one could assume John was questioning Jesus as the Christ. The use of the word heteros, another of a different kind, is telling us that John is thinking of another Person who will come to do other types of things for Israel, including securing his release from prison as Isaiah prophesied.

 

John is turning inward just as Elijah and Jeremiah did. He has temporarily misunderstood that God’s plans may not include his personal comfort or happiness, and he is wondering if someone else would be coming to fulfill the prophecies that Jesus is clearly leaving unfulfilled. Jesus’ response to his petition will confirm this.

 

Life application: How often do we hear of people prophesying healing, financial breakthrough, the date of the rapture, and so forth? These utterances are complete fabrications without any biblical support for their words. And yet, these are the most popular types of promises, and those who make them generally will have many followers.

 

Even when their words don’t come true, they will just make up more