Matthew 11:2

Now when John had heard in the prison--For the account of this imprisonment, see on Mar 6:17-20. the works of Christ, he sent, &c.--On the whole passage, see on Luke 7:18-35.

In this chapter we have, I. The constant and unwearied diligence of our Lord Jesus in his great work of preaching the gospel (Mat 11:1). II. His discourse with the disciples of John concerning his being the Messiah (Mat 11:2-6). III. The honourable testimony that Christ bore to John Baptist (Mat 11:7-15). IV. The sad account he gives of that generation in general, and of some particular places with reference to the success, both of John's ministry and of his own (v. 16-24). V. His thanksgiving to his Father for the wise and gracious method he had taken in revealing the great mysteries of the gospel (v. 25, 26). VI. His gracious call and invitation of poor sinners to come to him, and to be ruled, and taught, and saved by him (v. 27-30). No Where have we more of the terror of gospel woes for warning to us, or of the sweetness of gospel grace for encouragement to us, than in this chapter, which sets before us life and death, the blessing and the curse.

11:2–20:34 This section highlights the two primary responses to Jesus: acceptance and rejection. The first section (11:2–12:50) features the rejection of Jesus by Jewish leaders while his disciples were learning to understand and accept him. 11:2-19 This section begins with John the Baptist’s doubt, but it ends by exalting his faith and ministry (11:7-19). The people’s rejection of John (11:16-19) foreshadows their later rejection of Jesus. 11:2 John was arrested (4:12) by Herod Antipas because he had denounced Herod’s immoral relationship with Herodias, his half-brother’s wife (14:1-12). • the things the Messiah was doing: These actions demonstrated that he is the Messiah (8:1–9:34).