Luke 7:24-27

Christ's testimony concerning John: V. 24. And when the messengers of John were departed, He began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? V. 25. But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously appareled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts. V. 26. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. V. 27. This is he of whom it is written, Behold, I send My messenger before Thy face which shall prepare Thy way before Thee.

Compare Matthew 11, 7-15. The Lord took this opportunity to bear witness to John and his ministry. The happenings of that time were so recent that they were still fresh in the memory. He put the question to the whole multitude, since many of them, undoubtedly, had been among those that were drawn by the reputation and by the powerful sermons of John. Had they gone out into the wilderness to see a reed agitated and swayed by the wind?

John had not been a weathervane in his preaching, 2 Tim. 4, 2-5. He had spoken the truth in a most uncompromising way, regardless of the fact that the great ones of the earth may have felt offended.

Had they gone out into the wilderness to find a man clothed in soft garments? There is a place for such people; they may be found among those that live in the houses of kings. There those living in luxury and clothed with splendid apparel properly belonged.

But John was a poor preacher of repentance. The luxuries of life had no appeal for him; he spurned the delicate side of wealth.

Note: There is a fine hint in both references of the Lord for him that will read aright. But now came the main question:

Had they gone out to see a prophet? Then indeed they had not been disappointed. For John was a prophet, and greater than the prophets of old. Of him it had been prophesied that he should be a messenger before the face of the Messiah, to prepare the way before Him, Malachi 3, 1.