A Man Clothed in Soft Raiment - Matthew 11:8

Matthew the apostle shared how Jesus, “began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went you out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?” and in chapter eleven and verse eight of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus asked the multitudes if they saw John the Baptist as, “a man clothed in soft raiment” where we read:

But what went you out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment?

behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.

The verse reads, “But what went you out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment?” Matthew began with the word, “but” which means “nevertheless, moreover and” “what went you out” or “what did the multitude of people arise and go out” “to see” which means “to behold, observe, learn by looking, contemplate and perceive”? “A man” or “a male human being” “clothed” which means “enrobed” “in soft raiment” which refers to “catamite and fine clothing and garments”? Matthew shared how Jesus asked the crowd again what they went to the wilderness“to see”, and He questioned whether they went to see John the Baptist dressed in “fine clothing”.

The verse goes on to say, “behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.” Matthew continued with the word, “behold”” which means “lo and see” “they that wear” or “the people who bear constantly as a accompaniment” “soft clothing” which means “garments that are catamite and fine” “are in king's houses” or “live in dwelling places of rulers, sovereigns, princes, commanders and lords”. Matthew shared how Jesus wanted to remember that people who “wear” “fine garments” live in “ruler's abodes”.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus continued to question the crowd surrounding Him concerning John the Baptist. He rhetorically wanted to know if they went to the “wilderness” to behold a man who was dressed in “fine clothing”, and He reminded them that those who wear those kind of garments live in “king's houses”. God used John the Baptist to be the “forerunner” of His Son Jesus Christ, and John's unusual location and attire had no bearing upon the message he carried concerning the Messiah. God loves people, and though His methods may be unexpected, His purpose is to have everyone be in a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. Those who are wise shall yield to His perfect plan regardless of what they expect the messenger to look like.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus asked “the multitudes” once again about John the Baptist, “what went you out to see”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.