{He that cometh} (ho erchomenos). This phrase refers to
the Messiah ( Mr 11:9  Lu 13:35  19:38  Heb 10:37  Ps 118:26  Da
7:13 ). Some rabbis applied the phrase to some forerunner of the
kingdom (McNeile). Was there to be "another" (heteron) after
Jesus? John had been in prison "long enough to develop a _prison
mood_" (Bruce). It was once clear enough to him, but his
environment was depressing and Jesus had done nothing to get him
out of Machaerus (see chapter IX in my _John the Loyal_). John
longed for reassurance.