Matthew 11:8

Matthew 11:8

But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.

a. NLT: Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces.

b. NIV: If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces.

c. Amplified Bible: What did you go out to see then? A man clothed in soft garments? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in the houses of kings.

d. Young’s Literal Translation: 'But what went ye out to see? -- a man clothed in soft garments? lo, those wearing the soft things are in the kings' houses.

e. Worrell Translation: But what went ye out to see? A man in soft raiment; Behold, those wearing soft raiment are in kings’ houses.

1. “But what went ye out for to see?...”

a. but [235 * alla] [Strong: neuter plural of 243; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.]

b. what [5101 * tis] [Strong: probably emphatic of 5100; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.]

c. went ye [1831 * exerchomai; ek-out; erchomai-to go or come] [Strong: from 1537 and 2064; to issue (literally or figuratively):--come (forth, out), depart (out of), escape, get out, go (abroad, away, forth, out, thence), proceed (forth), spread abroad.]

d. to see [1492 * eido] [Strong: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent 3700 and 3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot.]

2. “…A man clothed in soft raiment?...”

a. man [444 * Anthropos] [Strong: from 435 and ops (the countenance; from 3700); man-faced, i.e. a human being:--certain, man.]

b. clothed [294 * amphiennumi; amphi-round about; ennumi-to invest] [Strong: from the base of 297 and hennumi (to invest); to enrobe:--clothe.]

c. in [1722 * en] [Strong: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

d. soft [3120 * malakos] [Strong: of uncertain affinity; soft, i.e. fine (clothing); figuratively, a catamite:--effeminate, soft.]

e. raiment [2440 * himation] [Strong: neuter of a presumed derivative of ennumi (to put on); a dress (inner or outer):--apparel, cloke, clothes, garment, raiment, robe, vesture.]

1). Albert Barnes Commentary: This kind of clothing was an emblem of riches, splendor, effeminacy, feebleness of character. He meant to say that John was a man of a different stamp - coarse in his exterior, hardy in his character, firm in his virtue, suited to endure trials and privations, and thus qualified to be the forerunner of the toiling and suffering Messiah.

3. “…Behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.”

a. behold [2400 * idou] [Strong: second person singular imperative middle voice of 1492; used as imperative lo!; --behold, lo, see.]

b. they that wear [5409 * phoreo] [Strong: from 5411; to have a burden, i.e. (by analogy) to wear as clothing or a constant accompaniment:--bear, wear.]

c. soft [3120 * malakos] [Strong: of uncertain affinity; soft, i.e. fine (clothing); figuratively, a catamite:--effeminate, soft.]

d. are [1526 * eisi] [Strong: 3d person plural present indicative of 1510; they are:--agree, are, be, dure, X is, were.]

e. in [1722 * en] [Strong: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

f. king’s [935 * basileus] [Strong: probably from 939 (through the notion of a foundation of power); a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively):--king.]

g. houses [3624 * oikos] [Strong: of uncertain affinity; a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively):--home, house(-hold), temple.

1). Jesus was contrasting John with the rest of the world. How different he was, in that what John pursued after to what most men sought. Joh sought to fulfill his calling of being the forerunner to the Messiah.