Luke 7:18–23

¹⁸ Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things. ¹⁹ And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” ²⁰ 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?’ ” ²¹ And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight. ²² 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. ²³ And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

Commentary

Vs. 18-20 ¹⁸ Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things. ¹⁹ And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” ²⁰ 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?’ ”

The report then of Jesus raising the widow’s son from the dead even reaches the ears of John the Baptist who was then imprisoned by Herod (Luke 3:18-20). For John the Baptist having fulfilled God’s purpose in proclaiming Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world; and having rebuked Herod for all the evils which he had done, and was doing, was now imprisoned by him, and so John having a limited revelation of the Will of God does not know why since Jesus Christ is doing all things why He doesn’t release him and all of Israel from Roman bondage and set up His Kingdom. For every Jews expectation of the Messiah was that when He came, He would do just that. Therefore, John upon hearing of Jesus’ mighty works that are clearly revealing Him as the Messiah is uncertain as to why these things are. Therefore, he sends some of his disciples to Jesus to ask Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” John then because of his inability to understand his own circumstances is looking for a confirmation from Jesus, something that is not unique to him.

Vs. 21-23 ²¹ And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight. ²² 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. ²³ And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

Therefore, in that very hour when John the Baptist through the messengers he sent to Him came seeking a confirmation from Jesus about His Person, Jesus cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight (vs. 21). Which is just as what happens today when people’s faith wanes because of their own circumstances, Jesus does not stop working as the Christ and Savior of the world, but He is still transforming people and their lives, interceding for His brethren everywhere (Heb. 4:14-16). Therefore, Jesus having received John’s messengers now tells 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.” ^{vs. 22} All which are the very works of God that the Scripture said Jesus Christ would do (Isaiah 29:18-19; 35:5-6; 61:1). Therefore, John as Jesus’ forerunner was to be fully assured that whom he proclaimed as the Lamb of God and Savior of the world was indeed Jesus Christ. Now in John’s defense he did not see these mighty works himself, for having proclaimed Jesus Christ as the Coming One his ministry was effectively over. Therefore, Jesus in reassuring John by His Words that He spoke to John’s messengers sent to Him, now concludes His message by saying, “And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” Therefore, Jesus in saying as much to John the Baptist, and to all who are likewise burdened by their own circumstances and troubles, and are wondering if God has abandoned them (which He does not) for men may abandon Him, but God abandons no one who keeps their faith in Him. Therefore, in saying as much, Jesus is saying to us all keep your faith in Me. Even though you don’t understand everything I am doing, or not doing, keep your faith in Jesus Christ and do not be one of those who takes an offense at Him, and thus walks away from Him. For if you do keep your faith in Jesus Christ your blessing is assured! For though John may have had his questions while imprisoned, guaranteed when the messengers returned to him, and told him all that Jesus was doing, and had said, John would’ve been completely assured that Jesus Christ is not only the Coming One, (and thus he was completely right in what he did for Him, and how he preached Him to one and to all) but he also would’ve rejoiced in having known Him, and continued to believe in Him. John then could go to his grave in peace for he had done the Will of God. You also then be assured and continue to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ so that God’s blessing may eternally be upon you. For “The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.” ^{Ezra 8:22}

Scripture Quotations

New King James Version. (1982): Thomas Nelson