Luke 7 22

Luke 7:22 kjv

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.

Luke 7:22 nkjv

Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.

Luke 7:22 niv

So he replied to the messengers, "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.

Luke 7:22 esv

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.

Luke 7:22 nlt

Then he told John's disciples, "Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard ? the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor."

Luke 7 verses

Luke 7 22 Meaning

Luke 7:22 presents Jesus' direct answer to John the Baptist's disciples, who asked if He was the "Coming One." Jesus' response is not a verbal declaration of His Messiahship, but a powerful summary of His miraculous works and ministry. These actions—healing the blind, lame, lepers, and deaf, raising the dead, and preaching the gospel to the poor—serve as undeniable empirical evidence and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, thus authenticating His divine identity and mission. The emphasis is on what has been seen and heard, compelling the observers to interpret the evidence according to God's revealed word.

Luke 7 22 Context

Luke 7:22 occurs in the midst of Jesus' ministry in Galilee. John the Baptist, imprisoned by Herod, hears of Jesus' powerful works. Troubled by his own suffering and perhaps Jesus' non-political messianic approach (which differed from common expectations of a militant Messiah), John sends two of his disciples to ask Jesus, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?" This question reveals a moment of doubt, even for the herald of the Messiah. Jesus' response directly addresses this query by appealing to observable, miraculous evidence that fulfilled ancient prophecies concerning the Messiah's activities. This immediate context highlights the tension between prophetic expectation, personal hardship, and the true nature of God's redemptive work through Jesus. Historically, the Jewish people widely anticipated a Messiah, often imagining a figure who would liberate them from Roman rule. Jesus' reply, emphasizing healing and spiritual good news, redefined the scope of the messianic kingdom as primarily spiritual and humanitarian, not political or military.

Luke 7 22 Word analysis

• Then Jesus answered and said to them:
  • answered (ἀποκριθεὶς - apokritheis): More than a mere reply; it denotes a formal or weighty declaration, an authoritative pronouncement. Jesus speaks with the weight of divine authority.
  • said to them: Directed specifically to John's disciples, emphasizing that the message is for John through them.
• 'Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard:
  • Go and tell (πορευθέντες ἀπαγγείλατε - poreuthentes apangeilate): An instruction to act as eyewitnesses, messengers. It emphasizes the direct transmission of empirical evidence.
  • John: The message is explicitly for the Baptist, who is struggling with doubt.
  • seen (εἴδετε - eidete) and heard (ἠκούσατε - ēkousate): Highlights the objective, verifiable, and undeniable nature of the evidence. It appeals to their senses, making it clear that what Jesus is doing is manifest. It's an invitation for John to weigh the facts based on first-hand accounts.
• that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.'
  • the blind see (τυφλοὶ ἀναβλέπουσιν - typhloi anablepousin): Fulfillment of Isa 35:5; Isa 42:7. This miracle symbolized not just physical healing but also spiritual illumination.
  • the lame walk (χωλοὶ περιπατοῦσιν - chōloi peripatousin): Fulfillment of Isa 35:6. Signified restoration, the ability to fully participate in life and the community.
  • the lepers are cleansed (λεπροὶ καθαρίζονται - leproi katharizontai): Leprosy was a pervasive, isolating disease; its cleansing (as opposed to merely healing, a specific word used in Leviticus for ritual purity) was unique and spoke of divine power over spiritual and social uncleanness, bringing individuals back into full fellowship. This sign holds immense significance as only God could cleanse a leper in the OT view, signifying radical restoration.
  • the deaf hear (κωφοὶ ἀκούουσιν - kōphoi akouousin): Fulfillment of Isa 35:5. Echoes spiritual understanding, opening ears to divine truth.
  • the dead are raised (νεκροὶ ἐγείρονται - nekroi egeirontai): The ultimate sign of divine authority over life and death. This power belongs uniquely to God (cf. Dt 32:39, 1 Sam 2:6), clearly attesting Jesus' divinity.
  • the poor (πτωχοὶ - ptōchoi): Refers not only to the materially destitute but also to the humble, the oppressed, the marginalized, and the spiritually bankrupt. This group was often overlooked or despised in society.
  • have the gospel preached to them (εὐαγγελίζονται - euangelizontai): "Good news" is proclaimed. This refers to the good news of the Kingdom of God. This particular sign (found in Isa 61:1, a verse Jesus explicitly quotes in Lk 4:18) is often considered the climax of Jesus' list of signs, signifying the spiritual heart of His mission—God’s universal saving grace extended particularly to the outcast and humble, bringing spiritual freedom and redemption.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised": This sequence of physical healings and miraculous resuscitations directly correlates with prophecies in Isaiah (e.g., Isa 35:5-6, Isa 29:18-19), serving as undeniable proof that the long-awaited Messianic age has dawned. These miracles demonstrate Jesus' authority over sin, sickness, and death, which were understood as consequences of the fallen world.
• "the poor have the gospel preached to them": This specific point is considered the crowning fulfillment, embodying the very nature of God's upside-down kingdom where the marginalized and outcast are prioritized, blessed, and receive the joyous news of salvation and liberation (cf. Lk 4:18-19). It emphasizes the spiritual and inclusive aspect of His ministry, contrasting with prevailing earthly power structures. This sign sets Jesus apart from any mere miracle worker, signifying the radical spiritual and social transformation He brings.

Luke 7 22 Bonus section

The response Jesus gives in Luke 7:22 highlights the principle that true faith often involves discerning God's hand through His demonstrated works rather than solely relying on direct claims or predetermined notions. For John, whose ministry was one of judgment and preparing the way, Jesus' ministry of compassion, healing, and direct gospel proclamation to all presented a challenging, broader vision of God's saving activity. This emphasis on what the messengers have "seen and heard" implicitly calls for John (and us) to allow observable divine activity to shape our understanding of who Jesus is and what His kingdom entails. Furthermore, the selection of the poor as recipients of the gospel signifies a core aspect of Jesus' ministry—a reversal of societal norms where God’s favor is extended most freely to the humble and marginalized. It sets a pattern for Christian mission, emphasizing care for the vulnerable as integral to proclaiming the good news.

Luke 7 22 Commentary

Luke 7:22 serves as a pivotal answer to John the Baptist's questioning faith, providing tangible, undeniable evidence of Jesus' identity as the Christ. Jesus deliberately chooses not to claim the title "Messiah" outright, but rather to point to His works, inviting interpretation based on prophetic fulfillment. The list of miracles is a carefully curated selection from Old Testament prophecies, primarily from Isaiah, clearly signaling that the promised era of God's redemptive activity has arrived in Him. The physical healings demonstrate His divine power and compassion, overturning the effects of sin and sickness in the fallen world. The raising of the dead signifies His ultimate authority over life and death. The inclusion and climax of "the poor have the gospel preached to them" is profoundly significant, highlighting that His kingdom is one of justice, compassion, and spiritual truth that liberates all, especially those overlooked by society. This verse not only confirms Jesus' Messianic claims but also outlines the fundamental nature of His redemptive work: powerful, compassionate, and focused on both physical restoration and spiritual liberation for all, regardless of social standing. It challenges narrow human expectations of a political deliverer, revealing the deeper spiritual dimensions of God's kingdom.