SEV Biblia, Chapter 11:8
Mas ¿qu salisteis a ver? ¿Un hombre cubierto de delicados vestidos? He aquí, los que traen vestidos delicados, en las casas de los reyes estn.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 11:8
Verse 8. A man clothed in soft raiment?] A second excellency in John was, his sober and mortified life. A preacher of the Gospel should have nothing about him which savours of effeminacy and worldly pomp: he is awfully mistaken who thinks to prevail on the world to hear him and receive the truth, by conforming himself to its fashions and manners. Excepting the mere colour of his clothes, we can scarcely now distinguish a preacher of the Gospel, whether in the establishment of the country, or out of it, from the merest worldly man. Ruffles, powder, and fribble seem universally to prevail. Thus the Church and the world begin to shake hands, the latter still retaining its enmity to God. How can those who profess to preach the doctrine of the cross act in this way? Is not a worldly-minded preacher, in the most peculiar sense, an abomination in the eyes of the Lord? Are in kings' houses.] A third excellency in John was, he did not affect high things. He was contented to live in the desert, and to announce the solemn and severe truths of his doctrine to the simple inhabitants of the country. Let it be well observed, that the preacher who conforms to the world in his clothing, is never in his element but when he is frequenting the houses and tables of the rich and great.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 8. But what went ye out for to see? etc.] Since it cannot be thought it was to see the reeds in the wilderness blow to and fro by the wind, or a man like one of them, either in gesture or doctrine; was it to see a man clothed in soft raiment? In raiment made of soft materials, as fine wool, cotton, silk, etc. such as Mecaenos wore, and who was therefore called Malacinus f676 : one finely dressed, and richly apparelled, draws the eyes of persons to him; but such an one is not to be expected in a wilderness: and if the Jews went to see such a person, they were greatly disappointed; for Johns raiment was of camels hair, undressed, and he had a leathern girdle about his loins; and as for his diet, it was locusts and wild honey: no, behold they that wear soft clothing , or, as Luke says, are gorgeously apparelled; to which he adds, and live delicately, are in kings houses , or courts; not in a desert, where John came preaching, nor in a prison, where he now was: he was no light, inconstant, flattering person, as generally courtiers are; had he, he would not have been in a prison; it was for his uprightness and faithfulness, in reproving Herod the king, that he was in such a place and condition.
Thus from his very garb and diet, his character is vindicated from the charge of levity and change.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 7-15 - What Christ said concerning John, was not only for his praise, but for the people's profit. Those who attend on the word will be called to give an account of their improvements. Do we think when the sermon is done, the care is over? No, then the greatest of the care begins. Joh was a self-denying man, dead to all the pomps of the world and the pleasures of sense. It becomes people, in all their appearances, to be consistent with their character and their situation. John was a grea and good man, yet not perfect; therefore he came short of glorifie saints. The least in heaven knows more, loves more, and does more i praising God, and receives more from him, than the greatest in thi world. But by the kingdom of heaven here, is rather to be understoo the kingdom of grace, the gospel dispensation in its power and purity What reason we have to be thankful that our lot is cast in the days of the kingdom of heaven, under such advantages of light and love Multitudes were wrought upon by the ministry of John, and became his disciples. And those strove for a place in this kingdom, that one woul think had no right nor title to it, and so seemed to be intruders. I shows us what fervency and zeal are required of all. Self must be denied; the bent, the frame and temper of the mind must be altered Those who will have an interest in the great salvation, will have is upon any terms, and not think them hard, nor quit their hold without blessing. The things of God are of great and common concern. God requires no more from us than the right use of the faculties he ha given us. People are ignorant, because they will not learn.
Greek Textus Receptus
αλλα 235 CONJ τι 5101 I-ASN εξηλθετε 1831 5627 V-2AAI-2P ιδειν 1492 5629 V-2AAN ανθρωπον 444 N-ASM εν 1722 PREP μαλακοις 3120 A-DPN ιματιοις 2440 N-DPN ημφιεσμενον 294 5772 V-RPP-ASM ιδου 2400 5628 V-2AAM-2S οι 3588 T-NPM τα 3588 T-APN μαλακα 3120 A-APN φορουντες 5409 5723 V-PAP-NPM εν 1722 PREP τοις 3588 T-DPM οικοις 3624 N-DPM των 3588 T-GPM βασιλεων 935 N-GPM εισιν 1526 5748 V-PXI-3P
