Luk 7:24-27 | NET2full | STEP | When John’s messengers had gone , Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “ What did you go out into the wilderness to see ? A reed shaken by the wind ?

‏ Luke 7:24-27

24 When ^{▼▼tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.} John’s messengers had gone, Jesus ^{▼▼tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness ^{▼▼tn Or “desert.”} to see? A reed shaken by the wind? ^{▼▼tn It is debated whether this expression should be read figuratively (“to see someone who is easily blown over?”) or literally (“to see the wilderness vegetation blowing in the wind?…No, to see a prophet”). Either view is possible, but the following examples suggest the question should be read literally, meaning that an extraordinary event like the arrival of a prophet (rather than the common occurrence of plants blowing in the wind) drew them to the desert.} 25 What ^{▼▼tn Grk “But what.” Here ἀλλά (alla, a strong contrastive in Greek) produces a somewhat awkward sense in English, and has not been translated. The same situation occurs at the beginning of v. 26.} did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? ^{▼▼sn The reference to soft clothing suggests that John was not rich or powerful, nor did he come from the wealthy or ruling classes. The crowds came out into the wilderness not to see the rich and famous, but to see a prophet.} Look, those who wear soft clothing and live in luxury ^{▼▼tn See L&N 88.253, “to revel, to carouse, to live a life of luxury.”} are in the royal palaces! ^{▼▼tn This is a different Greek term than in the parallel in Matt 11:8. Cf. BDAG 169 s.v. βασίλειος, “the (royal) palace.”} 26 What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more ^{▼▼tn John the Baptist is “more” because he introduces the one (Jesus) who brings the new era. The term is neuter, but may be understood as masculine in this context (BDAG 806 s.v. περισσότερος b.).} than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, ^{▼▼tn Grk “before your face” (an idiom).} who will prepare your way before you.’ ^{▼▼sn The quotation is primarily from Mal 3:1 with pronouns from Exod 23:20, and provides a more precise description of John the Baptist’s role. He is the forerunner who points the way to the arrival of God’s salvation. His job is to prepare and guide the people (just as the cloud did for Israel in the wilderness at the time of the Exodus).}