Jesus did not answer with a simple yes; He told John's disciples to report what they heard and saw.
Jesus directed John's two disciples to go back and tell John the things they were hearing and seeing. He listed visible works: the blind received sight, the lame walked, lepers were cleansed, the deaf heard, the dead were raised, and the poor had the gospel preached to them. These works served as the evidence that He was the promised Messiah.
Matthew 11:3 — John's disciples ask Jesus if He is the one to come or if they should look for another.
Matthew 11:4 — Jesus tells them to report to John the things they hear and see rather than give a verbal confirmation.
Matthew 11:5 — The list of miracles and the preaching to the poor forms the proof that answers John's question.
In Matthew 11, after John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus, "Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?" Jesus answered, "Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see." He then listed the works: "The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them." The visible miracles and the preaching of the gospel were the evidence Jesus gave.
Les Feldick explains that John's doubt was understandable. John was in prison, and from the human standpoint he wondered why Jesus, who had the power to set him free, was not doing it. When John's disciples asked, "Are You the One, or do we look for another?" Jesus told them to "go and tell John again those things which you do hear and see." Les emphasizes that this was meant to reinforce John's knowledge. The miracles and signs throughout Christ's ministry were the proof that He was the promised Messiah, the Christ, and specifically to John, the works were the evidence of who Jesus was.
Les explains that John had fulfilled his ministry and had a miraculous birth, yet he was in prison. From the human standpoint, John saw that Jesus had the power to take him out of the hands of the authorities and set him free, but Jesus was not doing it. That made John begin to wonder whether Jesus really was the Christ. Scripture records that John 'had heard in the prison the works of Christ' before sending his disciples.
Jesus did not simply say, "Yes." He told John's two disciples, "Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see" (Matthew 11:4). Les emphasizes the words "tell John again" and explains that this was to reinforce John's knowledge. The visible works — blind receiving sight, lame walking, lepers cleansed, deaf hearing, dead raised, and the poor hearing the gospel — were the proof.
Les stresses throughout the Gospels that the main purpose of Christ's miracles and signs was to prove to the nation of Israel who He was — that He was the Christ, the promised Messiah. It was not only compassion, though that was certainly true. The signs showed that no one but the Messiah, the Son of God Himself, could perform such works, and that Jesus was the answer to Israel's need.
Miracles Prove Messiah
Les teaches that all of Christ's miracles and preaching were to prove to the Jew of His day that He was the promised Messiah.
The Show-and-Tell Answer
Les explains Jesus' instruction to tell John again what they heard and saw, emphasizing it was to reinforce John's knowledge.
The Proof of Who He Was
Les points out that the miracles Jesus listed were meant to prove to John that Jesus was indeed the Christ.
John's Prison Perspective
Les describes John's human wondering in prison: Jesus had power to release him, so John began to question whether Jesus was the One.
Miracles Identify the Christ
Les stresses that the signs and wonders were given to prove to Israel that Jesus was the Christ and the promised Messiah.
What Peter Really Said at Pentecost — Acts 2 Explained
To prove that He was the Son of God. That was the whole purpose in them. And of course they also had ramifications on the nation of Israel. We looked at that throughout the 8 signs in the book of John. All of those signs were given to show Israel that not only was He the Son of God, not only was He the Messiah, but He was the answer to their every need.
Signs for Israel
Les notes that the main thrust of Christ's miracles was to prove to Israel who He was, not only to show compassion.
What Happens the Moment You're Saved? Colossians 1 Explained
Now when John the Baptist, back there in the account of the Gospel, said, "...repent, and be baptized, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." What was he referring to? Well, the King was in their midst, and where the King is, the kingdom was sure to come. But of course, Israel rejected the King and the kingdom, and they crucified Him.
Matthew 11:3: And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
John's disciples repeat John's question to Jesus, asking whether Jesus is the expected Messiah.
Matthew 11:4: Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:
Jesus points John's disciples to the evidence of His works rather than giving a direct declaration.
Matthew 11:5: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
This list of miracles and preaching answers John's question by showing the works of the Messiah.
No. He told them to go and tell John what they heard and saw — the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the deaf hear, and the dead are raised (Matthew 11:4-5). The works themselves became the evidence.
Scripture says John had heard in prison the works of Christ (Matthew 11:2). Les adds that from the human standpoint John wondered why Jesus, with His power, was not setting him free.
Les teaches that the main thrust of Christ's signs and miracles was to prove to the nation of Israel that He was the promised Messiah. Compassion was real, but the proof of His identity was primary.
Watch the Teaching: Why Jesus Came to Israel First — Luke 1 Explained