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Read the Bible

King James Version

Matthew 11:9

But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Jesus, the Christ;   John;   The Topic Concordance - John the Baptist;   Sending and Those Sent;  

Dictionaries:

- Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Jesus Christ;   Nahum, Theology of;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Hutchinsonians;   Holman Bible Dictionary - John;   Matthew, the Gospel of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Messiah;   Mss;   Prophet;   Text of the New Testament;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Attributes of Christ;   Dates (2);   Discourse;   Divinity of Christ;   John the Baptist;   Logia;   Pre-Eminence ;   Promise (2);   Toleration, Tolerance;   Winter ;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - John, the Baptize;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Christ, Offices of;   John the Baptist;   Ministry;   Preacher;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Jesus of Nazareth;   John the Baptist;  

Parallel Translations

English Standard Version
What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
Geneva Bible (1587)
But what went ye out to see? A Prophet? Yea, I say vnto you, and more then a Prophet.
Christian Standard Bible®
What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
Hebrew Names Version
But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.
International Standard Version
Really, what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and even more than a prophet!Matthew 14:5; 21:26; Luke 1:76; 7:26;">[xr]
Darby Translation
But what went ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I say to you, and more than a prophet:
Easy-to-Read Version
So what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, John is a prophet. But I tell you, he is more than that.
Amplified Bible
"But what did you [really] go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one [more eminent, more remarkable, and] far more than a prophet [who foretells the future].
American Standard Version
But wherefore went ye out? to see a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.
Berean Standard Bible
What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
Contemporary English Version
What did you really go out to see? Was he a prophet? He certainly was. I tell you that he was more than a prophet.
Complete Jewish Bible
Nu, so why did you go out? To see a prophet! Yes! and I tell you he's much more than a prophet.
Etheridge Translation
And if not, what went you forth to see ? a prophet ? I tell you, Yes; and more than a prophet.
Murdock Translation
And if not; what went ye out to see? A prophet? Yes, say I to you, and more than a prophet.
King James Version (1611)
But what went ye out for to see? A Prophet? yea, I say vnto you, and more then a Prophet.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
But what went ye out for to see? A prophete? yea I say vnto you, and more then a prophete.
English Revised Version
But wherefore went ye out? to see a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.
Lexham English Bible
But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and even more than a prophet!
Literal Translation
But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and one more excellent than a prophet.
New Century Version
So why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, and I tell you, John is more than a prophet.
New English Translation
What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
New King James Version
But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
New Living Translation
Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet.
New Life Bible
What did you go out to see? One who speaks for God? Yes, I tell you, he is more than one who speaks for God.
New Revised Standard
What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But why went ye forth? A prophet, to see? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.
Douay-Rheims Bible
But what went you out to see? A prophet? Yea I tell you, and more than a prophet.
George Lamsa Translation
And if not so, What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.
Good News Translation
Tell me, what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes indeed, but you saw much more than a prophet.
Webster's Bible Translation
But what went ye out to see? A prophet? yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
But what went ye out to see? A prophet? Yea, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
Weymouth's New Testament
But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
But what thing wenten ye out to se? a prophete? Yhe, Y seie to you, and more than a prophete.
Young's Literal Translation
`But what went ye out to see? -- a prophet? yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet,
World English Bible
But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.
Revised Standard Version
Why then did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
But what wet ye oute for to se? A prophete? Ye I saye to you and more the a prophete.
Update Bible Version
But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I say to you, and much more than a prophet.
Bible in Basic English
But why did you go out? to see a prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
New American Standard Bible
"But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But what are ye gone out for to se? A prophet? Yee I saye vnto you, and more the a prophet.
Mace New Testament (1729)
or did you go to see a prophet? yes, and be assured, one superiour to a prophet.
Simplified Cowboy Version
If you went out there lookin' for a prophet, then you sure enough found him. But John was more than just a prophet,
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet.
Legacy Standard Bible
But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet.

Contextual Overview

7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. 15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

A prophet: Matthew 11:13, Matthew 11:14, Matthew 14:5, Matthew 17:12, Matthew 17:13, Matthew 21:24-26, Mark 9:11-13, Luke 1:15-17, Luke 1:76

Reciprocal: Numbers 12:7 - My servant Zechariah 13:4 - wear Luke 7:26 - General Luke 16:16 - Law John 1:21 - Art thou that 1 Timothy 6:1 - servants James 2:2 - goodly

Cross-References

Genesis 10:5
By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
Genesis 10:10
And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
Genesis 10:20
These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, and in their nations.
Genesis 10:25
And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother's name was Joktan.
Genesis 11:1
And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
Genesis 11:14
And Salah lived thirty years, and begat Eber:
Genesis 11:31
And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
Genesis 11:32
And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran.
Acts 17:26
And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
1 Corinthians 14:23
If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But what went ye out for to see?.... Since it was not any thing so mean as a shaking reed, or so grand as a man in gay clothing, pray what was it you went out to see?

A prophet? This was the truth of the matter, they expected to see a prophet, and they believed he was one; this was the common voice of the people; all held John to be a prophet. This made Herod afraid to put him to death, and the Pharisees to speak against his baptism: now, though this was giving him a great character, to believe and own him to be a prophet, yet it did not come up to his full character.

Yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet; when they saw him, they saw not only a prophet, but one that was greater, and more excellent than any of the prophets that went before him: they prophesied of the Messiah at a distance, and in words not so clear, and easy to be understood; they spoke of him as to come, but he pointed him out with his finger, and declared that he was come; he saw him himself, and showed him to others; he saw the Spirit of God descending on him, and he himself baptized him; his office, as the harbinger of Christ, and the administrator of the ordinance of baptism to him, gave him a preference to all the prophets; and was such an one, as never any man was vested with but himself.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

A prophet? - He next asks whether they went to see a prophet. They had regarded him as such, and Jesus tells them that in this their apprehensions of him were correct.

More than a prophet - Sustaining a character more elevated and sacred than the most distinguished of the ancient prophets. Those had been regarded as the most eminent of the prophets who had most clearly predicted the Messiah. Isaiah had been distinguished above all others for the sublimity of his writings, and the clearness with which he had foretold the coming of Christ. Yet John surpassed even him. He lived in the time of the Messiah himself. He predicted his coming with still more clarity. He was the instrument of introducing him to the nation. He was, therefore, first among the prophets.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Matthew 11:9. A prophet? yea - and more than a prophet — That is, one more excellent (περισσοτερον) than a prophet; one greatly beyond all who had come before him, being the immediate forerunner of Christ, (see below,) and who was especially commissioned to prepare the way of the Lord. This was a fourth excellency: he was a prophet, a teacher, a man divinely commissioned to point out Jesus and his salvation; and more excellent than any of the old prophets, because he not only pointed out this Christ, but saw him, and had the honour of dying for that sacred truth which he steadily believed and boldly proclaimed.


 
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