Another “Eastern Eye” Article
[The Bible is an “Eastern” book. It was written many years ago in the “East” which today we refer to as “The Middle East.” As such, there are many customs and idioms that are not familiar to the “Western” mind.]
Jesus Christ asked a very pointed question to those who had gone out into the wilderness to hear John the Baptist teach. He asked them what they went out to see, a “reed shaken in the wind?”
Our western minds really have no idea what Jesus was talking about. But once again, understanding the time and culture of the Bible sheds light on many verses.
The reeds Jesus spoke of were in the sugar cane family and grew wild. They were used often to make flutes. They would generally grow 4 to 5 feet tall. During the heat of the day, they would droop, with the tops falling all the way to the ground.
When the cool evening winds came, they would all rise back up again, straight and tall. The people thought this was a beautiful sight to see, and would often go out to watch them all rise again.
It Was A Straightforward Question
Jesus asked those who had gone out to see John the Baptist, “What did you go out to see? A reed shaken in the wind?” In other words, he was asking if they were paying attention to what John was saying, or were they distracted by the reeds?
Of course there was nothing wrong with watching the reeds. It was a beautiful sight to see. But for those who went out specifically to see John, Jesus wanted to know what they were focused on. Were they listening to what John had to say, or were they distracted?
Santa Maria de Maggiore - Rome
There are many old churches around the world that are very beautiful. I’ve personally visited some of the most famous ones in Spain, Italy and Greece. There is much in those churches that could distract someone.
St. Joseph Cathedral Basilica in San Jose, CA
There are many modern churches that are beautiful too, with an abundance of stained glass, gorgeous woodwork, decorations, am impressive choir, and the list goes on and on. Again, there is plenty to distract.
What Is Most Important?
Wherever one goes to hear God’s Word, the beautiful decorations are not what’s most important. It is not how big the choir is. It is not even how many people attend. If God’s Word is being taught, then that is what is most important.
It is the message that we should be going to hear. Yes decoration and embellishments may be nice, but the Word of God can be taught without any of those things. You may remember that Jesus taught God’s Word to two men as they walked on the road to Emmaus.
The Bible doesn’t say, but maybe Jesus heard people who went to see John talking about how great the reeds were. I’ve heard many people over the years talk about how great the choir was in the church that they attended. I’ve heard others talk about how big and beautiful their church is, and how many people attend. It would seem that they ought to be talking about how great the message was, don’t you think?
Where do you go to hear the Word of God? If the Word of God 
is being taught, then focus on the message. The trappings may be nice, but it’s the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that is most important.
Matthew 11:7
As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?Luke 7:24
When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
Mike Verdicchio
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Resources
There are a number of books that you can read to get insight on customs, manners, idioms and meanings from the Eastern culture in which the Bible was written. The best I know of were written by Bishop K. C. Pillai I have had the pleasure of listening to many recorded teaching by him.
He wrote three books, and they are hard to find, and are usually over priced. But, if you want to you can check this link to see what Amazon has to offer. Light Through an Eastern Window
Another great resource that I have used for years is a book called, “Manners and Customs of the Bible,” by James Freeman. Mine was printed in 1972 and I know they have newer additions. For the newest edition, just click the link and it will take you to Amazon. The New Manners and Customs of the Bible (Pure Gold Classics)
Just a simple thanks for this article. It was extactly what I was looking for regarding Luke 7:24 and the reed.
You’re welcome, Darryl.
Mike, there may be another explanation about the purpose of referencing the reeds blown by the wind. Jesus himself spent long periods of time in the desert, and what was he doing? We gather he was meditating; he was in communion with “His Father”. We know that Jesus was a Mystical Being, and we know he was “going inside”. Jesus often remarked that “the kingdom of Heaven is Within…” There is a strong tradition in meditation about light and the sound current. Jesus himself said, “If thine eye be single, thy whole body will be filled with light”. Of course he is referring to the eye we see when we close our physical eyes and go inside. In the same manner, when we close our physical ears, we hear the sound of the “Reeds blown by the wind”. Is it possible this is a story about meditation and communicating with God?
Thanks for the comment, Noel. I don’t think that Jesus was asking them if they went out to meditate. He was specifically telling them how wonderful John was and how blessed they were to have him there.
Very good concise background information. I did not know what reed really was in the context of the scripture as it relates to the then culture!!
God bless you richly
God bless you, too, Ava!
To me the response Jesus is looking for is does anyone recognize the Voice of John’s Message and what our God is saying here through His Prophet? To me this is the Elijah Message that must come 1st so it can prepare the Way “The New Way” into our Lord’s Baptism where our souls are “Turned” Inward as in “Repentance” toward God so His Anointing as Christ can manifest in the Holy Place of Ones soul to the fullness of Maturity as in His perfect state becoming as a bride made “Perfect” for the complete “Tabernacle” of our God who is Spirit Amen! So John’s Message was a very LOUD Trumpet of REPENTANCE unto OBEDIENCE so the Lord Himself could come into His Inheritance through the “Straight” Gate of Himself “Compressed” as a birth canal pushing and “Pressing'” on out of the comforts of the deceiving world of ones own desires into the World He so Loved that the Father sent Him into to recue us Amen & Amen!
Mark,
Thanks for your comment.
John the Baptist was truly remarkable – one of kind!
God bless you.
Good Article. I guess I hadn’t thought of it as applied to the trappings of our religious settings and those being a distraction. I was thinking it may also refer to our own expectations when we go out to the wilderness? The reeds swaying in the wind almost seems to refer to the “common”. Did you come out to just hear “another boring message” or “i’ve heard that a thousand times before” did you really go out to the wilderness simply to see thousands of reeds shaking in the wind or did you come for something more? He also asks if they came out to see a man dressed in fine clothes? Which the answer clearly would not be that because such men want to stay in palaces, not live out in the desert. So, we all come to God with different expectations and depending on what those are, we may be very disappointed in what we actually get. If we come and expect nothing more than a superficial teaching of the bible, then chances are we will only get a superficial understanding of the message. Or if we come with the expectation of great riches and glory are are subsequently told that in order to receive these great riches we must first sell everything we have and give it to the poor, we fail to receive the richness of the true message behind the message. … Those who have ears, let them hear…?
Thanks for your comment, Steve.
If people are hungry for the truth of God’s Word, and it is being accurately presented, they will be filled.
God bless you.
While praying this morning I had a vision of a reed shaken by the wind. Looked you up and now I understand. Many thanks.
Mike,
Glad you found the site and have a little more understanding.
God bless you,
I would also think that reeds grow close to water and therefore not in the wilderness because of its aridity.
It therefore implies to me that they were in a wrong place if they had gone out into the wilderness expecting to see a reed shaken by wind. Not even a man clothed in soft raiment would you see in the wilderness because such lived in palaces.
I believe our Lord The Saviour of the world was dealing with what John and the others expected Him(Jesus) to look like and how they expected Him to deal with the Roman empire,which when He, according to their human eyes did not measure up, cast a shadow of doubt in their minds.
Jesus was a Spiritual leader and not a military leader. He dealt with the spiritual aspects or sides of issues which would then settle the physical side of life.
Dave, thanks for leaving a comment. How grateful we ought to be for the life, ministry and sacrifice of our lord, Jesus Christ.
God bless you.
Absolutely no intent to offend anyone who believes in baptism by immersion only. A large portion of my family and friends hold to this position. However, I think The Lord may be referring to the way in which John was baptizing his followers. Dipping a long plant stalk with some kind of seeding flower into water and then sprinkling the residual water on the people who had come to be baptized. This would fit with the image of blood being sprinkled on objects for purification that was so well known from the Old Covenant. Also, the water would be symbolically clean since it could be dipped upstream of the people. I do not think it is just an idle comment about the wind blowing the reeds around as the remaining two comments of the Lord are specifically about John personally, i.e. a man dressed in soft clothing and a prophet. It is likely the reed comment referred to John, either in the way he carried himself as a man, or, what I tend to believe, what act he was synonymous with doing, i.e., shaking a wet reed full of water droplets over the head of those who had come for baptism. That is how 3,000 could have been baptized on Pentecost without contaminating the drinking supply of Jerusalem- something neither the Jewish or Roman authorities would have tolerated.
Kent,
Thanks for leaving a comment.
I certainly do not think it is, as you say, “an idle comment about the wind blowing…”etc.
I believe understanding the culture gives us great insight to what Jesus was saying and also helps us not to guess or speculate.
God bless you.
Could it be that the wind blowing was a reference to the Spirit. The wind blows wherever it will and on all who will receive.When the Spirit blew on John he preached the message of repentance to all who would believe.
Like John we can be like a swaying red. Sometimes we receive and sometimes we question.
Paul,
Thanks for leaving a comment.
Yes, we can sway like a reed, but knowing the culture helps us understand what God is communicating to us.
My new book has over 50 of them if you are interested – you can order it on Amazon, or, go to this link and order and I’ll send you a signed copy.
http://confidenceandjoy.com/what-does-it-mean/
God bless you
I thank God for your wisdom.
Dorine,
Thanks for leaving a comment.
Isn’t it great to get added insight to the Bible from some understanding of the culture the times it was was written?
You might be interested in my new book which explains dozens of verses in light of Biblical culture.
Here’s a link for more information including getting a signed copy!
God bless you.
http://confidenceandjoy.com/what-does-it-mean/
Thank you ?
Tara, you are very welcome!
Understanding the culture in which it was written opens up many verses in the Bible.
You might be interested in my latest book which explains dozens of verses in light of Biblical culture.
Here’s a link for more information including getting a signed copy!
God bless you.
http://confidenceandjoy.com/what-does-it-mean/