Two reasons that Jesus quotes from Isaiah when answering John the Baptist’s disciples:
Jesus shows mercy, even toward the doubter (see Hebrews 4:15), by quoting Isaiah 35:5–6 and Isaiah 61:1, to show how he is fulfilling what the prophets had foretold. This is different from the implied rebuke of Matthew 9:15, where John’s disciples receive an answer that echoes John’s own words (see John 3:29).
Jesus refers to Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah’s reign of peace (seeIsaiah 26:19; Isaiah 29:18; Isaiah 35:5–6; Isaiah 61:1), showing that the time of redemption had truly arrived.
Interpretation 1:
Jesus wants to show that he is merciful, even toward those who doubt (see Hebrews 4:15). The answer given to John is framed in the words of the prophecies of Isaiah 35:5–6 and Isaiah 61:1 in order to show that Jesus is doing what the prophets had foretold concerning him. This is distinctly different from what we see in Matthew 9:15, where the disciples of John the Baptist receive an answer that recalls the words of their own master (see John 3:29).1
Interpretation 2:
Jesus here employs a clear reference to the Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah’s reign of peace (see Isaiah 26:19; Isaiah 29:18; Isaiah 35:5–6; Isaiah 61:1). In other words, Jesus shows us that the time of redemption has now truly arrived.2
4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: