Bible Dictionary
RAIMENT, SOFT
Soft raiment means elegant or luxurious clothing, such as garments worn by courtiers in royal households. Jesus contrasted this with John the Baptist’s plain and prophetic manner of life.
Definition
Soft raiment means elegant or luxurious clothing, particularly the kind associated with courtiers and royal households. The expression describes more than ordinary garments; it suggests the costly appearance of those who live at court.
Biblical Usage
Jesus asked whether the people went out to see a person clothed in soft raiment, then observed that those wearing such clothing are in kings’ houses. The contrast points to John the Baptist’s refusal to act as a courtier.
Historical Background
The account notes that some scribes associated with Herod the Great laid aside plain clothing and adopted the gorgeous dress of courtiers.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>(malakos): In Mt 11:8 English Versions of the Bible, where Jesus, speaking of John the Baptist, asks "What went ye out to see? a man clothed in soft raiment?" where "raiment," though implied, is not expressed in the best text, but was probably added from Lu 7:25 parallel. It is equivalent to "elegant clothing," such as courtiers wore, as shown by the words following, "Behold, they that wear soft raiment are in kings' houses." John had bravely refused to play courtier and had gone to prison for it. In the early days of Herod the Great some scribes who attached themselves to him laid aside their usual plain clothing and wore the gorgeous raiment of courtiers (Jost, in Plumptre).</p><p>George B. Eager</p>