Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 11:8

"But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in soft [raiment]? Behold, they that wear soft [raiment] are in king`s houses." — Matthew 11:8 (ASV)

A man clothed in soft clothing? Did they see someone who shared in luxury and courted the favor of princes? No, not at all. Those who wear soft clothing—or, as in Luke’s report, they that are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately—are in kings’ houses.

These words had a more pointed reference than it might seem at first. Jewish historians (Jost, Gesch. Jud. I. 259) record how, in the early days of Herod the Great, a faction of the scribes had attached themselves to his policy and party. In doing so, they had laid aside the somber garments of their order and appeared in the gorgeous clothing worn by Herod’s other courtiers. The Herodians of the Gospel history were obviously the successors of these men in policy, and probably also in their habits and demeanor. The reference to “kings’ houses” can refer to nothing other than the palace of Antipas.

With little hesitation, we can trace a vindictive retaliation for these very words in the “gorgeous robe” with which Herod arrayed Him in mockery when the Tetrarch and the Christ stood face to face for one brief hour (Luke 23:11).