Jesus used this phrase in three rhetorical questions to cause the people to think about what kind of person John the Baptist was. It could be translated as “Did you go out to see …? Of course not!” or “Surely you did not go out to see …!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
This can 1) mean the literal plants by the Jordan river (see UDB) or 2) be a metaphor for a kind of person: “a man who was like a reed shaken by the wind.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]]) This simile has two possible interpretations: such a man could 1) be easily moved by the wind, a metaphor for easily changing his mind, or 2) make noise when the wind blows, a metaphor for talking a lot but not saying anything important. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
## reed ##
"tall, grassy plant"
## dressed in soft clothing ##
“wearing expensive clothing.” Rich people wore this kind of clothing.
## Really ##
This word, often translated “behold,” adds emphasis to what follows. Alternative translation: “Indeed.”
See in Reader
