Luke 7 20

Luke 7:20 kjv

When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

Luke 7:20 nkjv

When the men had come to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?' "

Luke 7:20 niv

When the men came to Jesus, they said, "John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, 'Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?'?"

Luke 7:20 esv

And when the men had come to him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, 'Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?'"

Luke 7:20 nlt

John's two disciples found Jesus and said to him, "John the Baptist sent us to ask, 'Are you the Messiah we've been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?'"

Luke 7 verses

Luke 7 20 Meaning

Luke 7:20 describes the moment when messengers from John the Baptist approach Jesus. John, from prison, seeks definitive clarification about Jesus' identity, asking if He is indeed "the Coming One"—the long-awaited Messiah—or if they should anticipate someone else. This inquiry highlights a tension between prophetic expectations of the Messiah's role, particularly John's understanding of a judging Christ, and Jesus' present ministry, which focused on healing, teaching, and compassionate outreach rather than immediate judgment or political liberation.

Luke 7 20 Context

Luke 7:20 is embedded in a significant portion of Jesus' early Galilean ministry. Prior to this verse, Jesus performs two remarkable miracles: He heals the centurion's servant without even visiting the home (Luke 7:1-10) and, immediately after, raises a widow's only son from the dead in Nain (Luke 7:11-17), eliciting great awe and spreading His fame throughout Judea. News of these powerful deeds likely reached John the Baptist in the prison of Herod Antipas (Luke 3:19-20).

John's query stems from a deep personal and theological context. Imprisoned and facing an uncertain future, John had previously announced Jesus as the Messiah, focusing on His role as one who would "gather His wheat into the granary; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire" (Luke 3:17). This expectation of fiery judgment did not seem to be happening. Instead, Jesus' ministry was characterized by healing, compassion, and welcoming the outcast, seemingly a different fulfillment of Messianic prophecy than what John anticipated. The question posed through his disciples thus serves as a search for clarity and confirmation, perhaps not solely for John's own doubt but to also help his disciples reconcile Jesus' non-judgmental, compassionate ministry with the more austere, judgment-focused teachings of John himself.

Jesus' subsequent response (Luke 7:21-23) directly addresses this by pointing to the miraculous works He performs—healing the blind, lame, lepers, deaf, raising the dead, and preaching good news to the poor—all actions that explicitly fulfill the prophetic descriptions of the Messiah found in Isaiah 35 and 61, subtly correcting any limited or mistaken expectations without invalidating John's ministry.

Luke 7 20 Word analysis

• When the men came to Jesus:

  • men (ἄνδρες, andres): Refers specifically to the male disciples sent by John the Baptist. Their being sent underscores John's authoritative commission to inquire on his behalf and emphasizes that this was a deliberate, formal inquiry.
  • came (ἐλθόντες, elthontes): A participial form meaning "having come." It signifies a purposeful approach, not a chance encounter. This suggests the importance and directness of John's query.
  • to Jesus: Highlights the directness of John's message and his intent for his disciples to engage directly with Jesus, likely so they could observe His works firsthand.

• they said, "John the Baptist sent us to You:

  • John the Baptist (Ἰωάννης ὁ Βαπτιστής, Iōannēs ho Baptistēs): The esteemed prophet, the last and greatest of the Old Testament prophets, and the foreteller of Jesus. His authority lends significant weight to the question being posed. His imprisonment contextualizes his urgent need for clarity.
  • sent (ἀπέστειλεν, apesteilen): From apostellō, meaning to send off, commission, or delegate. This confirms the messengers' legitimate representation of John and that the question comes with John's full authority and intent. It also implies John's recognition of Jesus' unique authority and importance, as one worthy of such a direct inquiry.
  • to You (πρός σε, pros se): Direct address to Jesus, underscoring the specific target of the inquiry and the central role Jesus played in John's expectation and current perplexity.

• asking, 'Are You the Coming One, or shall we look for another?'"

  • Are You (Σὺ εἶ, Sy ei): A direct, emphatic question in Greek, challenging Jesus' identity directly. It demands a definitive "yes" or "no" answer, reflecting John's need for unambiguous confirmation.
  • the Coming One (ὁ ἐρχόμενος, ho erchomenos): This is a profound and specific messianic title, meaning literally "the one coming" or "He who is to come." It frequently alludes to Psa 118:26 ("Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord") and carries implications of the anticipated Messiah or Prophet prophesied throughout the Old Testament (e.g., Dan 7:13, Mal 3:1). John himself used this terminology in Matthew 3:11, forecasting one "mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry, He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." The use of this title by John underscores his messianic expectation.
  • or shall we look for another? (ἢ ἕτερον προσδοκῶμεν, ē heteron prosdokōmen): This clause reveals the crux of John's dilemma. "Another" (heteros) implies someone fundamentally different in nature or fulfillment from what Jesus was currently demonstrating. The verb "look for" (prosdokaō) suggests an expectation or anticipation, hinting at the enduring Jewish hope for the Messiah and the possibility of mistaking the one prophesied. This question reflects John's profound existential struggle—whether his life's mission in pointing to Jesus has been correctly understood and if Jesus' manifestation aligns with his prophetic foresight.

Luke 7 20 Bonus section

The inquiry from John the Baptist through his disciples served a dual purpose. While it provided an opportunity for John himself to gain deeper insight into Jesus' identity and mission, it was perhaps even more critical for John's disciples. They were followers who respected John but needed to transition their allegiance to Jesus. By sending them directly to Jesus, John was providing them with a personal encounter that could solidify their faith in Jesus' messianic claims based on the very works that fulfill prophecy. This firsthand experience allowed them to see the signs of the Kingdom not just heard of by rumor, preventing a potential schism between the "followers of John" and the "followers of Jesus."

The event also implicitly corrects a prevalent first-century Jewish understanding of the Messiah. Many expected a powerful, political figure who would overthrow Roman oppression and restore an earthly Davidic kingdom with immediate judgment on Israel's enemies. Jesus' focus on healing the sick, casting out demons, and preaching to the poor shifted this paradigm. His ministry was fulfilling a spiritual and redemptive reign rather than an immediate political one. This nuanced presentation of Messiahship, exemplified in Jesus' response, allowed for a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of the King and His Kingdom, challenging preconceptions without negating true prophecy. Jesus' response validates Himself by appealing to the Scriptures (Isa 35:5-6, 61:1-2), demonstrating that He is indeed the Christ, fulfilling the prophecies, but in a way that requires careful observation and re-evaluation of assumptions.

Luke 7 20 Commentary

Luke 7:20 captures a pivotal moment demonstrating John the Baptist's grappling with the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy. Despite having identified Jesus as the "Lamb of God" earlier (John 1:29), John's imprisonment and Jesus' unconventional ministry—healing rather than immediate judgment—created a dissonance for him. The question, "Are You the Coming One, or shall we look for another?" is not necessarily a full renunciation of faith in Jesus, but rather a cry for clarity from a faithful servant who is suffering and seeking to reconcile his deeply held prophetic expectations (particularly concerning divine wrath) with the unfolding reality of Jesus' kingdom.

Jesus' reply (Luke 7:21-23) masterfully avoids a direct "yes" or "no" and instead directs John's disciples to report His works—miracles of healing and the preaching of the Gospel to the poor—as the conclusive evidence. This strategy serves multiple purposes: it demonstrates how Jesus fulfills prophecies from Isaiah 35 and 61 concerning the compassionate and healing Messiah, broadens the understanding of Messianic identity beyond simple political or judicial functions, and provides compelling firsthand evidence for John's disciples to witness, solidifying their own faith. This episode teaches us that divine truth is often revealed not through direct declarations but through demonstrable actions that align with the Word of God, encouraging observation, reflection, and deeper faith, even when expectations are challenged. It also highlights Jesus' validation of John's prophetic role, even as He clarifies His unique method of fulfilling it.