Jesus doesn't just list physical healings; he culminates with "the poor have good news preached to them." This isn't just charity; it's the central purpose of his mission, a spiritual healing that contrasts sharply with the world's values and points directly to the heart of his kingdom.
And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
John the Baptist, imprisoned and awaiting his fate, sends his disciples to Jesus with a crucial question: "Are you the one we've been waiting for, or should we expect someone else?" Jesus responds not with a direct "yes," but by directing John's disciples to observe and report on the very works that confirm His identity as the promised Messiah, particularly those foretold in prophecy.
John the Baptist, imprisoned and waiting, sends a crucial question to Jesus: "Are you the one?" How does Jesus respond to such profound doubt?
Jesus doesn't just give a verbal 'yes.' He points to the evidence, the undeniable reality of what's happening.
God's Power on Display
Jesus lists specific acts: the blind seeing, the lame walking, lepers being cleansed, the deaf hearing, the dead being raised. These aren't just random good deeds; they are direct fulfillments of ancient prophecies about the Messiah's coming, particularly from Isaiah. This is God's signature.
A Direct Link to Prophecy
When Jesus tells John's disciples to report what they have seen and heard, He's directing them to the very signs the Old Testament predicted the Messiah would perform. It's a way of saying, 'Look at the evidence; it matches the ancient description of God's Anointed One.'
This is a powerful reminder that God's truth isn't just abstract; it's demonstrated through His actions in the world.
Amidst the dramatic healings, Jesus highlights one particular group receiving God's message. Who is it, and why is it so significant?
Jesus concludes his list by stating, 'and the poor have good news preached to them.' This isn't just another miracle; it's a defining characteristic of the Messianic kingdom.
A Radical Reversal
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In the ancient world, and often still today, the poor were overlooked, marginalized, and considered unimportant. Yet, Jesus intentionally directs the Gospel – the good news – towards them. This was a stark contrast to the religious and societal norms that often favored the wealthy or influential.
The Heart of God Revealed
This emphasis reveals God's heart: He doesn't just heal bodies; He brings hope and salvation to those who feel forgotten and powerless. The 'poor' here likely refers not just to financial poverty, but to a spiritual poverty – those who recognize their need for God.
This challenges us to consider who we might be overlooking and to ensure the good news we share is accessible and relevant to all, especially those on the fringes.
Understand the original words
chōlos · Greek Adjective/Noun
A person with a physical disability of the limbs; their healing is a messianic sign that the restoration of creation has begun under the reign of the Messiah.
lepros · Greek Noun
A person afflicted with leprosy, a skin disease that caused ritual impurity and social isolation; their cleansing represents not only physical healing but also spiritual purification and restoration to God's community.
kōphos · Greek Adjective/Noun
The state of lacking the ability to hear; symbolically, it reflects an inability or refusal to hear the Word of God or the truth of the Gospel.
nekros · Greek Adjective/Noun
The state of cessation of life; raising the dead is the ultimate demonstration of God's power over the final enemy and proves Jesus as the Author of Life and the promised Messiah.
ptōchos · Greek Adjective/Noun
Those who are economically disadvantaged or, in a spiritual sense, those who realize their total dependence on God; they are the primary recipients of the Gospel.
makarios · Greek Adjective
The state of spiritual favor, happiness, or divine approval experienced by those who align themselves with God and His purposes, even amidst trials.
skandalizō · Greek Verb
To be caused to stumble, to be scandalized, or to lose faith; it refers to the inner temptation to reject Christ because His humble, suffering-oriented ministry does not match one's personal expectations.
John the Baptist, a pivotal figure like Elijah, was imprisoned. His question to Jesus wasn't one of doubt but a desire to confirm Jesus' identity for his own disciples, who were still hesitant. Jesus' answer, directly referencing prophecies from Isaiah, powerfully demonstrates that he is the long-awaited Messiah.
c. 27-30 AD
John the Baptist's Ministry
John the Baptist begins his public ministry, calling people to repentance and proclaiming the imminent arrival of the Messiah.
c. 28 AD
Jesus' Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry in Galilee, gathering disciples and performing miracles.
c. 29 AD
John Imprisoned
John the Baptist is imprisoned by Herod Antipas for denouncing his unlawful marriage.
c. 29 AD— this verse
Jesus Sends Word to John
While John is in prison, Jesus sends back a message through John's disciples, detailing his miracles as signs of his messianic identity, fulfilling prophecy.
c. 29 AD
Jesus' Discourse on John
Following the interaction with John's disciples, Jesus speaks to the crowds about John the Baptist and the people's mixed reactions to both John's and Jesus' ministries.
Jesus directly quotes these verses, showing that the miracles He is performing are the very signs prophesied by Isaiah to mark the arrival of the Messiah.
Isaiah 61:1This passage speaks of the Spirit of the Lord being upon the Messiah to preach good news to the poor, directly paralleling Jesus' statement in Luke 7:22.
Matthew 11:4-5This is the parallel account from Matthew's Gospel, providing a slightly different but complementary perspective on Jesus' response to John the Baptist's messengers.
1 Corinthians 1:27-29This passage highlights God's pattern of using the weak and lowly, which connects to Jesus' emphasis on preaching the Gospel to the poor and not to the influential classes.
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 7:22: "Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached."
See these verses explained at large on Matthew 11:4-15 (note).
Jesus doesn't just list physical healings; he culminates with "the poor have good news preached to them." This isn't just charity; it's the central purpose of his mission, a spiritual healing that contrasts sharply with the world's values and points directly to the heart of his kingdom.
John the Baptist, imprisoned and awaiting his fate, sends his disciples to Jesus with a crucial question: "Are you the one we've been waiting for, or should we expect someone else?" Jesus responds not with a direct "yes," but by directing John's disciples to observe and report on the very works that confirm His identity as the promised Messiah, particularly those foretold in prophecy.
John the Baptist, imprisoned and awaiting his fate, sends his disciples to Jesus with a crucial question: "Are you the one we've been waiting for, or should we expect someone else?" Jesus responds not with a direct "yes," but by directing John's disciples to observe and report on the very works that confirm His identity as the promised Messiah, particularly those foretold in prophecy.
"And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is th…" — Jesus doesn't just list physical healings; he culminates with "the poor have good news preached to them." This isn't just charity; it's the central purpose of his mission, a spiritual healing that co…
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Last reviewed October 2026
