7 As these men were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ palaces! 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, Who will prepare Your way before You.’”

John the Baptist was now languishing in jail, wondering if he had misidentified the Messiah. This did not bode well for the message that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand. We don’t know if John’s disciples in the previous section brought his concerns to Jesus publicly or privately. Regardless, news of his predicament must have spread like wildfire among the throngs following Jesus. If John was shaken in his faith, others must have had second thoughts as well about the message and ultimately about Jesus.

Just as John had testified at the beginning concerning Jesus, Jesus returned the favor, testifying about John. He stressed the importance of John’s role through a series of rhetorical questions, meant to eliminate false perceptions about John. The Baptizer was not just making noises in the desert of his own concoction. His obvious goal was not to find a comfortable career that led to a luxurious life—quite the contrary, his activities led to incarceration. The kingdom of heaven, about which he preached, was not about palaces and nice clothes—subtle references to John’s primitive attire and abode.

John was a prophet and, as Jesus said, “more than a prophet.” He was prophesied in Malachi 4:1 as the coming herald of the Messiah. As was Matthew’s custom, he records the emphasis Jesus placed on the fulfillment of Scripture. The essential maxim was: Go where the evidence and Scripture leads. Jesus Himself was fulfilling the OT picture of the Messiah, and now as that One, He endorses John.

With Jesus now ministering among the people, John’s formal assignment was finished. His present situation served at least two purposes: 1) it was an example of Jesus’ teaching that there would be trials for His followers and 2) disciples should continually go back to Scripture to strengthen their faith.

Lord, when times get difficult, please remind me as You did John and Your first century followers, to go back to the Word for strengthening my faith.