John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. The blind receive their sight , etc.] Our Lord here, has reference to several prophecies concerning the Messiah, in ( Isaiah 35:6) ( Isaiah 61:1) and which having their accomplishment in him, John and his disciples might easily and strongly conclude, that he was he that was to come, and that they should not look for another. The several things here mentioned, were not all done at this time, but were what these disciples had sufficient and authentic evidence of; sight was restored to the blind before them then; and no doubt they were informed of the two blind men, that had their eyes opened, ( Matthew 9:30) and the lame walk ; as did the man sick of the palsy, who was brought to him on a bed, carried by four men, but went away himself, with his bed upon his shoulders, ( Matthew 9:2,6,7) the lepers are cleansed : as the poor man was, that was full of leprosy, and who was cured by Christ, by touching him, ( Matthew 8:3) and the deaf hear ; as did the man, into whose ears Christ put his fingers and said, Ephphatha, be opened, ( Mark 7:33-7:35) and the dead are raised : as were Jairuss daughter, ( Matthew 9:18,25) and the widows son of Nain, ( Luke 7:15) and the poor have the Gospel preached them ; by the poor are meant, either the preachers of the Gospel; for so the words may be rendered, the poor preach the Gospel: and such were the apostles of Christ; they were poor with respect to the things of this world; they were chiefly fishermen; and, with respect to human literature, they were unlearned men, had no stock or furniture of acquired learning, and were mean, abject, and contemptible, in the sight and opinion of men; and yet Christ called, qualified, and sent them forth to preach the Gospel. Or else, the hearers of it are designed; who were also the poor of this world, made a very low figure in life, and had but a small share of knowledge and understanding, and so were despised, and reckoned as cursed by the Scribes and Pharisees: or they were such, who were poor in spirit, or spiritually poor; who saw their spiritual poverty, bewailed and acknowledged it, and sought after the true riches of grace, and glory in Christ. Now these, as they had the Gospel preached to them more fully and clearly, with more power and authority, and so as it never was before or since, so they received it, as Tremellius from the Syriac reads the text, readily and willingly, joyfully and gladly, with faith and love; and were, as it may be also rendered, evangelized by it, or thrown into a gospel mould and frame: which may be said to be done, when a man has a spirit of liberty, in opposition to a spirit of bondage; when he lives by faith on Christ alone; when his comforts do not spring from his works, but from Christ; when the love and grace of God influence his repentance and obedience; when a man has a spirit of meekness and of love to the saints, is of a forbearing and forgiving spirit: when he is desirous of performing all duties both to God and man, and yet depends upon none of them, but upon Christ alone, for salvation.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 2-6 - Some think that John sent this inquiry for his own satisfaction. Wher there is true faith, yet there may be a mixture of unbelief. The remaining unbelief of good men may sometimes, in an hour of temptation call in question the most important truths. But we hope that John' faith did not fail in this matter, and that he only desired to have i strengthened and confirmed. Others think that John sent his disciple to Christ for their satisfaction. Christ points them to what they hear and saw. Christ's gracious condescensions and compassions to the poor show that it was he that should bring to the world the tender mercie of our God. Those things which men see and hear, if compared with the Scriptures, direct in what way salvation is to be found. It is difficult to conquer prejudices, and dangerous not to conquer them; but those who believe in Christ, their faith will be found so much the mor to praise, and honour, and glory.
Greek Textus Receptus
τυφλοι 5185 A-NPM αναβλεπουσιν 308 5719 V-PAI-3P και 2532 CONJ χωλοι 5560 A-NPM περιπατουσιν 4043 5719 V-PAI-3P λεπροι 3015 A-NPM καθαριζονται 2511 5743 V-PPI-3P και 2532 CONJ κωφοι 2974 A-NPM ακουουσιν 191 5719 V-PAI-3P νεκροι 3498 A-NPM εγειρονται 1453 5743 V-PPI-3P και 2532 CONJ πτωχοι 4434 A-NPM ευαγγελιζονται 2097 5743 V-PPI-3P
Vincent's NT Word Studies
5. The lame walk. Tynd., The halt go.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
11:5 {And the dead are raised up} (kai nekroi egeirontai). Like that of the son of the widow of Nain. Did he raise the dead also on this occasion? "Tell John your story over again and remind him of these prophetic texts, #Isa 35:5; 61:1" (Bruce). The items were convincing enough and clearer than mere eschatological symbolism. "The poor" in particular have the gospel, a climax.
