Verified answer

He simply asked for direct confirmation from Jesus Christ. John the Baptist was is dire straits in prison facing death so he may have needed this confirmation for encouragement and strength.

I have heard several suggestions, 1 that John was having his doubts, 2 John was just getting impatient for God to start vindicating the faith and destroying all evil, 3 and some even suggest it was John nearing the end of his life wanting the final confirmation to what he knew was true, I believe, John was like many others who had heard the prophecy, suffered through the silence between Malachi and his own miraculous birth, and was ready to God finish what was promised. Jesus came to save and to provide a pathway to eternal hope and salvation, and His followers simply want more. We want an end to evil. I think John was asking if this is all we get or is the judgment close. Not impatient, but concerned that Jesus wasn't everything John thought Jesus was going to be. This question shows the difference between a great man of God and a great God. Only God has all the answers.

Great question

I studied this once (seeing the same thing, that in John 3:28-36, and John 1:30-34, John the Baptist talks about being an eye-witness to the glory of Christ)

I have concluded that this is all about having a moment of weakness. Consider that in 3 chapters (14) John will be executed; at the point of Matthew 11, he is in prison waiting. Jesus will go on in the same chapter to praise John as the greatest man "born of women".

If John, the greatest of men, can have a moment of weakness in faith, I am comforted because I do too.

What is especially of interest to me is that Jesus did not directly say "here is the answer - yes, it is me". Instead, Jesus told John to look at the evidence. I see here a very powerful lesson to me - that when in doubt, and wanting a direct answer from God, God has already revealed enough evidence that I should believe.

John knew that his mission was to "prepare the way of the Lord", but he didn't know exactly how that would happen. The Jews had stories of things that would happen when the Messiah would come, such as the appearing of Elijah the prophet, and other events. John knew Jesus was anointed by God, but was still not sure. Remember that Jesus and John were cousins, which may have complicated the process of total faith. Despite all the signs, and John's total dedication to Jesus's mission, some little part of him still needed more proof. When Jesus came to visit John in prison before he was beheaded, John came to grips with it and believed.

I think John was questioning, just like all of us do. He wanted to make absolutely sure that the person who was claiming to be the Messiah truly was. That's a big statement to make and he wanted to have confirmation from Jesus himself. I know he saw the Holy Spirit descend, but how many times do we see the miracles in our life and don't attribute them to God?

It just shows how much as human we will not believe even when God shows us so much evidence. That is why some people will not believe even when you give evidences of Gods work in our lives. If God came down and said look I'm God do you believe me now there will be people that will say no I don't. Are your the one and only God or are there other gods out there besides you. No matter what people will doubt.

John wanted to know if the kingdom of heaven was coming now or going to be in abeyance till the second advent.

Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

Isa 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

Isa 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

John wanted to be sure by getting the message from Christ.

After all, he was about to have his head chopped off (Matthew 11:2, Mark 6:22-28).