Matthew 11:9
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
But what went you out for to see? A prophet? yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
American King James Version (AKJV)
But what went you out for to see? A prophet? yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
American Standard Version (ASV)
But wherefore went ye out? to see a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
But why did you go out? to see a prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
Webster's Revision
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.
English Revised Version (ERV)
But wherefore went ye out? to see a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.
Definitions for Matthew 11:9
Clarke's Matthew 11:9 Bible Commentary
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 honor of dying for that sacred truth which he steadily believed and boldly proclaimed.
Barnes's Matthew 11:9 Bible Commentary
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.
Wesley's Matthew 11:9 Bible Commentary
11:9 More than a prophet - For the prophets only pointed me out afar off; but John was my immediate forerunner.