Prison does strange things to a human's self-confidence.

[seekeroftruth]

Matthew 11:1 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.​

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2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”​

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4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[b] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”​

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7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:​

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“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’​

So, I always thought, thanks to Hollywood I guess, that John the Baptist was already beheaded when Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount. I forgot all about the verses that tell us what happened while he was in prison.

Jesus really loved His human cousin John. Actually, since he was the son of Elizabeth, Mary's cousin, he would be John's second cousin. Their DNA would indeed show a familial match.

So why did John have to send someone to ask Jesus for His credentials? After all, John is reported to have leapt in the womb when Mary visited Elizabeth. John had already baptized Jesus and the dove had already landed on Him when God Himself spoke about Jesus and how proud God was about His Son.

My guess is... John didn't want to be wrong and send his disciples into a den of demons.

Prison does strange things to a human's self-confidence.