Matthew 11:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Sufficient had been now done for John’s disciples; they returned certified concerning Christ by the wonderful works which they had seen. But it behoved that the multitude also should be corrected, which had conceived many things amiss from the question of John’s disciples, not knowing the purpose of John in sending them. They might say, He who bare such witness to Christ, is now of another mind, and doubts whether this be He. Doth he this because he hath jealousy against Jesus? Has the prison taken away his courage? Or spake he before but empty and untrue words?

He was referred to as an angel due to his heavenly and nearly non-physical existence and because he announced the coming of Christ. He paved the path for Christ through his witness and by baptizing with a call to repentance, as true repentance leads to the forgiveness of sins, which is granted by Christ. After John's followers departed, Christ spoke these words to ensure it wouldn’t seem as if He was giving them empty praise. The prophecy mentioned here is from the book of Malachi.

Do you regard Him as a prophet? Indeed, He is a prophet, and even more than just a prophet. While the prophets predicted the coming of the Messiah before witnessing His arrival, this one embodies both roles. The Saviour demonstrates, in every way, the remarkable discernment of the Forerunner, revealing him to those who proclaim the truth. He Himself affirms this by elevating the Forerunner to a place of great honor, confirming that this man has surpassed the prophets. Furthermore, He illustrates how He aligns the message of the Father with His own words, ensuring that His testimony about him is validated by the Law. He states, "This man is of whom it is written, 'Behold, I send My angel before Thy face, and he shall prepare Thy way before Thee.'"

In all such things we blame not the use of the things, but the lust of those that use them. For whoever uses the good things in his reach more sparingly than are the habits of those with whom he lives, is either temperate or superstitious. Whoever again uses them in a measure exceeding the practice of the good among whom he lives, either has some1 meaning therein, or else is dissolute.

What, then, constitutes the splendour of John that distinguishes him above all those born of a woman? Perhaps it is that concerning which it is stated, ‘Behold, I send my angel ... before thee’ (Mal. 3:1, Mk. 1:2). Not only did he bear the title of an angel, but through his actions he proved himself deserving of that title. Upon careful consideration, one can see that his honour equals that of the angels, for he renounced worldly pursuits and aimed to serve the celestial. If one argues that among the twelve prophets one was referred to as My Angel (Mal. 3:1), I would respond that this title was ascribed to him by his parents in the same manner in which others receive names.

Was it for this ye went out into the desert to see a man like unto a reed, and carried about by every wind, so that in lightness of mind he doubts concerning Him whom once he preached? Or it may be he is roused against Me by the sting of envy, and he seeks empty honour by his preaching, that he may thereof make gain. Why should he covet wealth? that he may have dainty fare? But his food is locusts and wild honey. That he may wear soft raiment? But his clothing is camel’s hair. This is that He adds, But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment?

Following His testimony, He also delivers a prophetic declaration, echoing the words of Malachi (Malachi 3:1). It is spoken as if the Father is addressing the Son, with God designating John as His messenger, either because he proclaimed to the people what had been revealed concerning Christ—the divine message to John, son of Zacharias, in the wilderness (Luke 3:2)—or due to his angelic lifestyle, transcending worldly matters and aspiring towards heavenly pursuits. "Before Thy face" signifies walking in Your presence, much like a servant appointed to prepare the way ahead of You. The pathway of Christ consists of the souls of individuals to whom the message was intended to precede, as elaborated in chapter three. He holds a status greater than that of a prophet, for he not only beheld the One about whom he foretold in a way that no other prophet did, but he also had the honor of baptizing Him.

Therefore that this might not lead them to think of John as though he were offended concerning Christ, it continues, When they had gone away, Jesus began to speak to the multitudes concerning John.

The office of a prophet is to foretel things to come, not to shew them present. John therefore is more than a prophet, because Him whom he had foretold by going before Him, the same he shewed as present by pointing Him out.

Consider the honor of John and grasp its significance. It seems appropriate to say that John, as a man who earned the title of angel through his virtuous deeds, shines with greater glory than if he were simply an angel by origin. An angel's status is primarily derived from his inherent nature, whereas one who possesses human nature yet ascends to the realm of angelic purity through divine grace embodies a greater magnificence.

Numerous prophets and virtuous individuals longed to witness what John experienced and to hear what he was privileged to hear. Even before his birth, he recognized me; he identified me as the Lamb of God who removes the sins of the world. While the prophets spoke of God's mighty deeds, none were foretold quite like John, who was specifically mentioned by the prophets. As written in Malachi (Malachi 3:1), God the Father declares to God the Son, "Behold, I will send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way and make it ready for you." John served as a divine messenger both throughout his life and in his ministry. Much like the path of kings, where those of greater honor approach their chariots, John appeared right before My arrival.

Since John's disciples presented their inquiry about Jesus, those in the presence of Christ may have believed that John, the herald of repentance and the arrival of the Messianic age, had shifted his perspective on Jesus, whom he had unequivocally affirmed as the Messiah. To dispel any uncertainties regarding John, Christ turns the focus to the conscience of each listener and poses a question: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A man who is unstable like a reed swaying in the wind? Or perhaps someone who is overly concerned with worldly matters, changing his stance based on personal gain? Certainly not! What you witnessed in John is that of a prophet, and even more, he embodies the role of the forerunner foretold by Malachi.

What drew you to witness? Was it the prophet? Indeed, I affirm to you, and even more than a prophet. He surpasses the prophet because God spoke of him through Malachi, saying: ‘Behold, I send my angel before your face, who will prepare your way before you’ (Luke 7:27). If there were prophecies regarding his arrival, and he is the angel heralding the coming of the Messiah, then among those born of women, there is no prophet greater than John the Baptist (Lk. 7:28). Yet, despite this, He who some consider lesser than John is indeed greater than John in the kingdom of God. Thus, John was not merely a reed shaken by the wind, nor was he a man fond of luxury; he was the foremost of all the prophets. This was the perception of the people, drawn to him by his ascetic lifestyle and his bold condemnation of the wicked.

The prophet Malachi writes, "Of whom it is written" (Malachi 3:1). The original Hebrew text offers a clear context. This same prophecy is echoed in Isaiah (Isaiah 40:3). In Malachi, the Lord declares that He will send a messenger in advance to prepare the path before Him. To clarify the profound meaning of this ancient prophecy, the Lord speaks of the divine messenger sent by God in relation to His arrival, identifying John as this herald. His mission is described as "preparing the way," a metaphor for preparing the hearts of the people for the arrival of the Messiah (see Matthew 3:3 for further insight).

In referencing the words of the prophet Malachi (Malachi 3:1), the Lord identified the Forerunner as an Angel. This designation stemmed from both His ethereal, almost incorporeal existence and His role in announcing the coming of Christ (Blessed Theophylact).