Luke 7:18
The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Luke 7:18
The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
What's easily missed here is that John's disciples weren't just messengers; they were witnesses. They observed Jesus' powerful actions firsthand and then reported these events to their imprisoned teacher, subtly showing their own engagement with Jesus' ministry.
John the Baptist, imprisoned and hearing about Jesus' ministry, sends his disciples to ask if Jesus is the promised Messiah. Jesus responds by detailing his miracles—healing the blind, lame, and deaf, raising the dead, and preaching the gospel to the poor—and sends John's disciples back with this report, inviting them to witness these signs themselves.
Even the greatest prophets can wrestle with doubt. Why would John the Baptist, a man so close to Jesus, question if He was the Messiah?
It's easy to assume that those who have walked closely with God, like John the Baptist, are immune to doubt. But here, we see a profound example of how even those with immense faith can face moments of questioning.
John's Unique Position
John had boldly proclaimed Jesus as the Lamb of God and baptized Him. Yet, he was now imprisoned, cut off from the very ministry he announced. This isolation, combined with the specific way Jesus was carrying out His mission – focusing on the marginalized and demonstrating power through healing and teaching – might have stirred questions in John's mind. His question, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" wasn't necessarily a complete lack of faith, but a deep, urgent plea for confirmation in a confusing time.
The Purpose of the Question
Commentators suggest John wasn't doubting Jesus' identity for himself as much as he was concerned for his own disciples. They had followed John, and he wanted them to transfer their allegiance to Jesus. By sending them to Jesus, John was providing them with firsthand experience of Jesus' messianic work, hoping they would be convinced.
This moment reminds us that faith isn't always a static, unwavering certainty. It's often a dynamic journey, involving wrestling, questioning, and seeking ongoing confirmation, especially when circumstances are difficult or don't align with our expectations.
How did Jesus respond to John's critical question? He didn't just give a simple 'yes,' but pointed to something far more powerful.
Jesus' response to John the Baptist's question is a masterclass in revealing divine identity through divine action.
The Evidence of Prophecy Fulfilled
Instead of a direct verbal affirmation, Jesus tells John's disciples to "go and tell John what you have seen and heard."
Understand the original words
mathētēs · Greek Noun
A student or follower of a teacher; one who adheres to the teachings and lifestyle of a master. In the New Testament, it specifically refers to those who follow Jesus or John the Baptist.
John the Baptist, confined in prison, sent his disciples to confirm Jesus' identity, prompting Jesus to demonstrate his messianic authority through miracles that directly mirrored Old Testament prophecies.
c. AD 28
John the Baptist imprisoned
Herod Antipas imprisons John the Baptist for denouncing his unlawful marriage to Herodias.
c. AD 28— this verse
Jesus raises widow's son at Nain
Jesus compassionately raises the son of a widow from death in the town of Nain, demonstrating his power over death.
c. AD 28
John's disciples report to him
John the Baptist's disciples, after witnessing Jesus' miracles, report these events to John in prison.
c. AD 28
John sends disciples to Jesus
John, hearing about Jesus' powerful deeds, sends two of his disciples to ask Jesus directly if he is the expected Messiah.
c. AD 28
This passage recounts John the Baptist's direct question to Jesus from prison, mirroring the core of John's doubt and seeking confirmation of Jesus' identity as the Messiah.
Isaiah 35:5Jesus references this prophecy when answering John's disciples, showing how the miracles He was performing (blind seeing, lame walking) were direct fulfillments of Old Testament messianic expectations.
Isaiah 61:1Jesus also quotes this verse to demonstrate that His ministry, especially to the poor, was a sign of His messianic authority, connecting John's inquiry to God's prophetic plan.
Luke 4:18This earlier passage in Luke shows Jesus declaring His messianic mission by quoting Isaiah 61:1, establishing a pattern of divine self-attestation through His ministry to the afflicted and marginalized.
John 3:29John the Baptist's own words about being the 'friend of the bridegroom' help contextualize his role in pointing people to Jesus, even amidst his own questioning and imprisonment.
calvinLuke 7:18-23: "And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things."
- And it happened that when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, [4] he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. 2. Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3. And said to him, Art thou he who was to come, or do we look for another? 4. And Jesus answering said to them, Go and relate to John those things which you hear and see. 5. The blin…
clarkeLuke 7:18: "And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things."
The disciples of John showed him, etc. - It is very likely that John's disciples attended the ministry of our Lord at particular times; and this, we may suppose, was a common case among the disciples of different Jewish teachers. Though bigotry existed in its most formidable shape between the Jews and Samaritans, yet we do not find that it had any place between Jews and Jews, though they were of different sects, and attached…
What's easily missed here is that John's disciples weren't just messengers; they were witnesses. They observed Jesus' powerful actions firsthand and then reported these events to their imprisoned teacher, subtly showing their own engagement with Jesus' ministry.
John the Baptist, imprisoned and hearing about Jesus' ministry, sends his disciples to ask if Jesus is the promised Messiah. Jesus responds by detailing his miracles—healing the blind, lame, and deaf, raising the dead, and preaching the gospel to the poor—and sends John's disciples back with this report, inviting them to witness these signs themselves.
John the Baptist, imprisoned and hearing about Jesus' ministry, sends his disciples to ask if Jesus is the promised Messiah. Jesus responds by detailing his miracles—healing the blind, lame, and deaf, raising the dead, and preaching the gospel to the poor—and sends John's disciples back with this report, inviting them to witness these signs themselves.
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This isn't just a list of miracles; it's a direct fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, particularly from Isaiah (Isaiah 35:5-6 and Isaiah 61:1). Jesus is showing John and his disciples that His works are the very signs that the Messiah would perform.
More Than Just Miracles
The inclusion of "the poor have the gospel preached to them" is crucial. It highlights that the Messiah's mission wasn't just about physical healing but also about bringing spiritual hope and good news to those society overlooked. Jesus' ministry was characterized by compassion for the marginalized, demonstrating the heart of God.
Jesus’ method of answering doubt with tangible, prophetic evidence is a powerful reminder that God’s actions often speak loudest. He invites us to see, hear, and believe based on what He is actively doing.
After listing His miraculous works, Jesus adds a crucial statement: 'Blessed is the one who is not offended by me.' What does this 'offense' mean?
Jesus' final statement, 'Blessed is the one who is not offended by me,' is a profound warning wrapped in a beatitude.
Understanding 'Offense'
The Greek word translated as 'offended' (or 'scandalized') here doesn't just mean being slightly annoyed. It refers to a stumbling block, something that causes one to trip, fall away, or reject someone or something.
Why Jesus Was a Stumbling Block
Jesus knew He would be a stumbling block for many reasons:
The Blessedness of Perseverance
Jesus pronounces a blessing on those who, despite these potential stumbling blocks, remain firm in their faith in Him. This isn't about denying the difficulties or the confusion, but about choosing to trust Jesus' identity and mission even when they are hard to grasp or don't fit our preconceived ideas.
This teaches us that following Jesus isn't always easy. We will encounter things about His ways, His teachings, or His people that might cause us to stumble. The blessing is for those who, like John's disciples were meant to be, press on in faith, looking beyond the immediate difficulty to the truth of who Jesus is.
Jesus responds with signs
Jesus directs John's disciples to report back the signs they have seen: the blind receiving sight, the lame walking, and other healings, fulfilling prophecy.
"The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John," — What's easily missed here is that John's disciples weren't just messengers; they were witnesses. They observed Jesus' powerful actions firsthand and then reported these events to their imprisoned t…