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Advent · The Third Sunday in Advent

Matthew 11:2-10 (11)

Jesus and John the Baptist

December 14, 2025

Saint John the Baptist in Prison Visited by Two Disciples, Giovanni di Paolo
Saint John the Baptist in Prison Visited by Two Disciples, Giovanni di Paolo, c. 1455–1460Art Institute of Chicago
A Sienese panel from a series on the Baptist's life, with the prison drawn as a pink stone box and the disciples leaning in at a grille.This is the scene the reading describes: John, locked up, sending to ask whether he was right about who Jesus was.Giovanni di PaoloA Sienese painter who ignored the Florentine Renaissance entirely and kept gold grounds and strange colour into old age.Art Institute of ChicagoFounded in 1879 as both a museum and a school, and the home of American Gothic and of a famous Impressionist collection.Art Institute of Chicago
Historic One-Year Lectionary
GospelMatt. 11:2-10 (11)Mt 11:2-10 (11)
Epistle1 Cor. 4:1-51 Cor 4:1-5
Old TestamentIsa. 40:1-8 (9-11)Is 40:1-8 (9-11)
PsalterPs. 85Ps 85

Overview & Insights

“Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (Matthew 11:3)

Matthew demonstrates Jesus to be the Messiah, who signals the kingdom’s arrival by his acts of healing and preaching of good news and confounds human expectations by embodying the wisdom of God.

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Take it further: Matthew 11:2-10 (11)

Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 11:2-11 (Working Preacher)Commentary on Mt 11:2-11 (Working Preacher) Working Preacher

Luther Seminary reading of John's question from prison and Jesus' works as the answer, the RCL Advent 3A Gospel.

Matthew 11:2-11 Commentary (Center for Excellence in Preaching)Mt 11:2-11 Commentary (Center for Excellence in Preaching) Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed preaching commentary on our expectations of the coming Messiah.

Matthew 11 (Enduring Word Bible Commentary)Mt 11 (Enduring Word Bible Commentary) Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical notes on the whole chapter.

Matthew 11 Commentary (Precept Austin)Mt 11 Commentary (Precept Austin) Precept Austin

In-depth word study with cross-references and quotations from many commentators.

Matthew 11:2 CommentariesMt 11:2 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic parallel commentaries (Barnes, Gill, Meyer, Ellicott) gathered on one page.

Third Sunday of Advent, Cycle A (Sunday Connection) Loyola Press · Sunday Connection

Catholic reflection questions and family activities on the Gaudete Gospel.

Background & Word Study

Matthew 11:2 InterlinearMt 11:2 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text with Strong's numbers and word-by-word English glosses.

Book of Matthew Overview (Matthew 1-13)Book of Mt Overview (Mt 1-13) BibleProject

Animated overview of Matthew's first half that frames John the Baptist's ministry.

Did Jesus fail to meet expectations in Matthew 11?Did Jesus fail to meet expectations in Mt 11? Psephizo · Ian Paul

Anglican scholar Ian Paul on John's disappointment and Jesus' identity.

The Church Fathers

Matthew 11 (Catena Bible)Mt 11 (Catena Bible) Catena

Patristic and medieval comments on each verse from the Church Fathers.

Sermons & Reflections

Has It All Been for Nothing? The Third Sunday in Advent Journey with Jesus

Essay wrestling with John's doubt and Jesus' reply for Advent 3.

Podcast

Looking Forward to Sunday Morning (One Year Lectionary): Third Sunday of Advent - Dr. John Bombaro, 12/9/25 (3433)Looking Forward to Sunday Morning (One Year Lectionary): Third Sunday of Advent - Dr. Jn Bombaro, 12/9/25 (3433) Issues, Etc.

Issues, Etc. talks a pastor through the historic one-year propers for this Sunday, including Matthew 11:2-10 (11).

Art & Music

Revised Common Lectionary Art Index (Vanderbilt Divinity Library) Vanderbilt

Curated fine-art images and hymn suggestions tied to the day's readings.

Study Hub

Matthew 11:2-11 (The Text This Week)Mt 11:2-11 (The Text This Week) Textweek

Master index of commentaries, sermons, art, and liturgy for this Gospel.

Questions preachers ask

Why does John the Baptist question from prison?

Imprisoned and awaiting death, John sends to ask if Jesus is the Coming One; Jesus answers by pointing to his works, the blind see, the poor hear good news, the very signs Isaiah promised.

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