Luke 7:20 - When the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptizer has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?’”
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What does "Luke 7:20" mean?
This verse from Luke 7:20 is a pivotal moment in understanding the relationship between John the Baptist and Jesus. Let's break it down:
"When the men had come to him..." This establishes that messengers sent by John the Baptist arrived at the place where Jesus was currently teaching or performing miracles.
"...they said, “John the Baptizer has sent us to you..." This clarifies the origin of the men. They were sent by John himself. John the Baptist was a hugely significant figure in Judea, seen by many as a prophet and the one foretelling the Messiah.
"...saying, ‘Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?’” This is the crucial part. John, sitting in prison and hearing reports about Jesus' activities, is sending his disciples to ask Jesus a direct question:
"Are you he who comes..." This refers to the Messiah. It uses a common title for the Messiah: "the one who is to come." John wants to know if Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah, the one he himself had proclaimed was coming after him, "the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie" (John 1:27).
"...or should we look for another?" If Jesus isn't the Messiah, then John (and everyone else who believed in John's prophecies) should continue to wait and search for the true Messiah. This implies a level of doubt or questioning on John's part, or at least a need for confirmation.
Possible Interpretations and Significance:
John's Doubt: This verse often sparks debate about whether John himself began to doubt that Jesus was the Messiah. Perhaps the harsh conditions of prison, coupled with reports of Jesus' ministry that differed from John's expectations (John preached a fiery message of judgment), led him to question if Jesus was the one he had been anticipating.
John Seeking Confirmation for His Disciples: Some argue that John wasn't doubting but sending his disciples to Jesus so they could witness Jesus' works and hear his teachings firsthand. This would solidify their belief in Jesus as the Messiah. This is a more generous interpretation that protects John's reputation.
A Test for Jesus: Another interpretation suggests that John was testing Jesus, perhaps to force Jesus to publicly declare his messianic identity.
The Nature of the Messiah: John's question highlights the different expectations people had about the Messiah. Some expected a conquering king who would overthrow Roman rule, while Jesus' ministry focused on spiritual transformation, healing, and proclaiming the Kingdom of God.
Jesus' Response: The following verses in Luke 7 describe Jesus performing more miracles and then instructing John's messengers to report what they have seen and heard: "the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them." This serves as Jesus' indirect but powerful answer to John's question. Jesus points to his actions as proof of his messianic identity, actions foretold in the Old Testament prophecies.
In essence, this verse is a critical inquiry into Jesus' identity and his relationship to prophecy. It reveals a moment of possible doubt or at least a need for confirmation, even from someone as spiritually attuned as John the Baptist. It also sets the stage for Jesus' self-identification as the Messiah through his actions and teachings.
Luke 7:20 - When the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptizer has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?’”
What does "Luke 7:20" mean?
This verse from Luke 7:20 is a pivotal moment in understanding the relationship between John the Baptist and Jesus. Let's break it down:
"When the men had come to him..." This establishes that messengers sent by John the Baptist arrived at the place where Jesus was currently teaching or performing miracles.
"...they said, “John the Baptizer has sent us to you..." This clarifies the origin of the men. They were sent by John himself. John the Baptist was a hugely significant figure in Judea, seen by many as a prophet and the one foretelling the Messiah.
"...saying, ‘Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?’” This is the crucial part. John, sitting in prison and hearing reports about Jesus' activities, is sending his disciples to ask Jesus a direct question:
"Are you he who comes..." This refers to the Messiah. It uses a common title for the Messiah: "the one who is to come." John wants to know if Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah, the one he himself had proclaimed was coming after him, "the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie" (John 1:27).
"...or should we look for another?" If Jesus isn't the Messiah, then John (and everyone else who believed in John's prophecies) should continue to wait and search for the true Messiah. This implies a level of doubt or questioning on John's part, or at least a need for confirmation.
Possible Interpretations and Significance:
John's Doubt: This verse often sparks debate about whether John himself began to doubt that Jesus was the Messiah. Perhaps the harsh conditions of prison, coupled with reports of Jesus' ministry that differed from John's expectations (John preached a fiery message of judgment), led him to question if Jesus was the one he had been anticipating.
John Seeking Confirmation for His Disciples: Some argue that John wasn't doubting but sending his disciples to Jesus so they could witness Jesus' works and hear his teachings firsthand. This would solidify their belief in Jesus as the Messiah. This is a more generous interpretation that protects John's reputation.
A Test for Jesus: Another interpretation suggests that John was testing Jesus, perhaps to force Jesus to publicly declare his messianic identity.
The Nature of the Messiah: John's question highlights the different expectations people had about the Messiah. Some expected a conquering king who would overthrow Roman rule, while Jesus' ministry focused on spiritual transformation, healing, and proclaiming the Kingdom of God.
Jesus' Response: The following verses in Luke 7 describe Jesus performing more miracles and then instructing John's messengers to report what they have seen and heard: "the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them." This serves as Jesus' indirect but powerful answer to John's question. Jesus points to his actions as proof of his messianic identity, actions foretold in the Old Testament prophecies.
In essence, this verse is a critical inquiry into Jesus' identity and his relationship to prophecy. It reveals a moment of possible doubt or at least a need for confirmation, even from someone as spiritually attuned as John the Baptist. It also sets the stage for Jesus' self-identification as the Messiah through his actions and teachings.