John Calvin 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)

Clothed with soft garments Those who think that Christ here condemns the extravagance of a court are mistaken. There are many other passages in which luxury of dress, and excessive attention to outward appearance, are censured. But this passage simply means that there was nothing in the wilderness to attract the people from every quarter; that everything there was rude and unpolished, and fitted only to inspire disgust; and that such elegance of dress as delights the eyes is instead to be found in the courts of kings.¹³

¹³ “Que pour voir de beaux vestemens et autres choses agencees bien proprement il faut plustost aller es Cours des Rois;” — “that in order to see fine dresses, and other things very neatly arranged, we must rather go to the courts of kings.”;” — “that in order to see fine dresses, and other things very neatly arranged, we must rather go to the courts of kings.”