as they departed] Christ would not commend John, before his disciples, lest they should still prefer him before himself, or, the people should think he flattered John, and spake so well of him before his disciples, that they might tell it to their master: but after Johns disciples were gone, Luke 7. 24. he commends him to the people, who might now think more meanly of John, because of his imprisonment. into the wildernesse] Of Judea, where John preached, chap. 3. 1. A reed shaken with the winde?] Why went ye into the wildernesse in such multitudes? sure ye would not go to see reeds that are shaken to and fro by the windes, or such other base things as the wildernesse affords: and great men in fine clothing ye could not go to see there, for they abide in kings courts. Nothing was there to be seen worth your labour, but John, whom ye thought then to be a great prophet; and ye have no reason to think more meanly of him now, because of his imprisonment. Or, by a reed, may be meant, an unconstant person: by one in fine apparell, a flatterer; which are to be found in courts, not in deserts.