Luke 7:18-35
John's Question from Prison
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18Then John’s disciples informed him about all these things.
19So John called two of his disciples and sent them to ask the Lord, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?”
20When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to ask, ‘Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?’”
21At that very hour Jesus healed many people of their diseases, afflictions, and evil spirits, and He gave sight to many who were blind.
22So He replied, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.
23Blessed is the one who does not fall away on account of Me.”
24After John’s messengers had left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind?
25Otherwise, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Look, those who wear elegant clothing and live in luxury are found in palaces.
26What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
27This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.’
28I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John, yet even the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
29All the people who heard this, even the tax collectors, acknowledged God’s justice. For they had received the baptism of John.
30But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.
31“To what, then, can I compare the men of this generation? What are they like?
32They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to one another: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’
33For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’
34The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’
35But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
John's disciples tell him about everything Jesus is doing. John sends two of them to ask Jesus, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?” John is in prison, and his question comes from a place of confinement and uncertainty.
Jesus does not rebuke the question. He tells the messengers to report what they have seen: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news preached to them.
He adds a blessing for anyone who does not fall away on account of him. After the messengers leave, Jesus identifies John as the promised messenger sent to prepare his way. John has a unique place among the prophets: the one he announces has now come. Even the least in God's kingdom has a privilege greater than John's place as the forerunner.
People who received John's baptism acknowledge that God is right. The Pharisees and experts in the law refused that baptism and rejected God's purpose for themselves. Jesus' answer calls for more than approval of his miracles; his hearers must respond to what God is doing.
Jesus then compares the generation to children who will not respond to either mourning or dancing. They criticize John for fasting and Jesus for eating. Wisdom is shown right by its children, not by the crowd's shifting complaints.
How We Know
John's question from prison and Jesus' answer have a close parallel in Matthew 11:2-19. Both accounts connect Jesus' works with the question of his identity and then commend John, while Luke preserves his own arrangement and wording.
Questions
1 What does John ask Jesus?
AnswerHe asks whether Jesus is the promised one or whether they should look for another. The question comes while John is imprisoned.
2 How does Jesus answer the messengers?
AnswerHe points them to the works they have seen and heard: healing, resurrection, cleansing, hearing, and good news preached to the poor.
3 How does Jesus describe John?
AnswerHe calls John more than a prophet and praises his unique role, while pointing to the greater privilege of those in God's kingdom.
4 What does the children's complaint reveal?
AnswerSome people reject John for his strict way of life and Jesus for sharing meals with sinners. Their problem is not the style of the messenger but their refusal to respond to God's wisdom.
What This Means for Us
Faithful people can ask serious questions in prison, pain, or confusion. Jesus gives John evidence rather than shame, and families can answer doubt with patient attention to what Christ has actually done.
The crowd's criticism warns us not to make personal preference the measure of truth. God may work through a messenger whose style differs from ours, while the fruit of that work remains open to examination.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, meet us when our confidence is strained. Give us honest questions, patient attention to Your works, and wisdom to recognize truth even when it comes through people unlike us. Amen.