Luke 7:20
When 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?'"
When the men came to Jesus
This phrase sets the scene for a significant encounter. The "men" referred to here are disciples of John the Baptist. In the historical context, John the Baptist was a pivotal figure, preparing the way for Jesus. His disciples coming to Jesus signifies a bridge between the old covenant and the new. The Greek word for "came" (ἦλθον, ēlthon) implies a purposeful journey, indicating the importance of their mission. This moment underscores the transition from anticipation to fulfillment in the messianic expectation.

they said
The act of speaking here is crucial. In the biblical narrative, words are powerful and often carry divine authority. The Greek word for "said" (εἶπαν, eipan) is used frequently in the New Testament to denote not just casual conversation but declarations of significance. This phrase highlights the role of communication in revealing divine truth and the importance of testimony in the Christian faith.

John the Baptist sent us
John the Baptist is a central prophetic figure, and his sending of disciples to Jesus is laden with meaning. The Greek word for "sent" (ἀπέστειλεν, apesteilen) is related to the term "apostle," meaning one who is sent with a mission. This indicates John's recognition of Jesus' authority and his own role as a forerunner. Historically, John was imprisoned at this time, which adds urgency and poignancy to his inquiry through his disciples.

to ask
The act of asking is a demonstration of humility and a desire for understanding. The Greek word (ἐρωτήσῃ, erōtēsē) implies a respectful inquiry, not a challenge. This reflects the genuine search for truth that characterizes the followers of John and, by extension, all who seek Jesus. It is a model for how believers should approach God—with questions born of faith and a desire for deeper knowledge.

‘Are You the One who was to come
This question is at the heart of messianic expectation. The phrase "the One who was to come" is a direct reference to the promised Messiah, anticipated throughout the Old Testament. The Greek phrase (ὁ ἐρχόμενος, ho erchomenos) is rich with prophetic significance, echoing passages like Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3. It encapsulates the hope of Israel for deliverance and restoration.

or should we look for someone else?
This part of the inquiry reveals a tension between expectation and reality. The Greek word for "look" (προσδοκῶμεν, prosdokōmen) suggests an active, hopeful waiting. It acknowledges the possibility of misunderstanding or incomplete revelation. This question invites reflection on the nature of faith and the challenge of recognizing God's work in unexpected ways. It encourages believers to remain open to God's unfolding plan, even when it defies human expectations.

Persons / Places / Events
1. John the Baptist
A prophet and forerunner of Jesus, known for baptizing Jesus and preaching repentance. He is currently imprisoned and sends his disciples to question Jesus.

2. Jesus
The central figure of the New Testament, believed by Christians to be the Messiah and Son of God. He is approached by John's disciples with a question about His identity.

3. John's Disciples
Followers of John the Baptist who are sent to Jesus to inquire about His messianic identity.

4. The Question
The inquiry posed by John's disciples reflects a moment of doubt or need for confirmation about Jesus' role as the Messiah.

5. The Setting
This event takes place during Jesus' ministry in Galilee, where He is performing miracles and teaching.
Teaching Points
Understanding Doubt in Faith
Even strong believers like John the Baptist can experience doubt. This passage encourages us to seek answers and reassurance in Christ during times of uncertainty.

The Role of Messianic Signs
Jesus' miracles serve as confirmation of His identity as the Messiah. Believers are encouraged to recognize and trust in the signs of God's work in their lives.

The Importance of Direct Inquiry
John's disciples directly ask Jesus about His identity, teaching us the value of going to the source—God's Word and prayer—when seeking truth.

Faith Amidst Trials
John's imprisonment and subsequent doubt remind us that faith can be tested in difficult circumstances, but Jesus provides the assurance we need.

Witnessing to Others
Just as John's disciples were sent to Jesus, believers are called to guide others to Christ for answers and salvation.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does John's question to Jesus reveal about the nature of faith and doubt, and how can we apply this understanding to our own spiritual journey?

2. How do the miracles of Jesus serve as evidence of His messianic identity, and what modern-day "signs" can strengthen our faith?

3. In what ways can we seek direct answers from God when we face uncertainty or doubt in our lives?

4. How can the account of John the Baptist's doubt encourage us to support fellow believers who are struggling in their faith?

5. Reflect on a time when your faith was tested. How did you find reassurance in Christ, and how can you use that experience to help others?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 35:5-6
This Old Testament prophecy describes the signs of the Messiah, which Jesus fulfills through His miracles, providing context for John's question.

Matthew 11:2-6
A parallel account of this event, offering additional details about Jesus' response to John's disciples.

John 1:29-34
John the Baptist's earlier testimony about Jesus as the Lamb of God, highlighting the contrast between his initial certainty and the current question.

Hebrews 11:1
Discusses faith as confidence in what we hope for, relevant to understanding John's need for reassurance.
The Deputation from JohnR.M. Edgar Luke 7:18-35
A Preacher to the PoorLuke 7:19-22
Christ is the Dispeller of DoubtDr. Cuyler.Luke 7:19-22
Christianity and the PoorC. H. Spurgeon.Luke 7:19-22
Christ's WorksG. Brooks.Luke 7:19-22
Devotion to Christ a Cure for DespondencyDr. Cuyler.Luke 7:19-22
Human Goodness and the Permanency of the GospelW. Clarkson Luke 7:19-22
Inactivity a Cause of DoubtF. W. Robertson, M. A.Luke 7:19-22
John's Doubting Message to JesusA. B. Bruce, D. D.Luke 7:19-22
Looking for Another ChristR. W. Dale, D. D.Luke 7:19-22
Moral Evidence of Christianity Superior to MiraclesJ. Harris, D. D.Luke 7:19-22
The Answer of Jesus to JohnBishop Moorhouse.Luke 7:19-22
The Gospel Preached to the PoorN. Paterson.Luke 7:19-22
The Message of John the BaptistCanon T. D. Bernard.Luke 7:19-22
The Soul Dependent on Physical ConditionsDr. Talmage.Luke 7:19-22
The Suitability of the Gospel to the PoorG. Brooks.Luke 7:19-22
The Test of ChristianityE. W. Shalders, BA.Luke 7:19-22
Trophies of the Work of ChristC. H. Spurgeon.Luke 7:19-22
People
Jesus, John, Simon
Places
Capernaum, Galilee, Judea, Nain
Topics
Baptist, Baptizer, Expect, Expected, John, Question, Saying, Someone, Wait, Waiting
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Luke 7:18-22

     7755   preaching, importance

Luke 7:18-23

     2206   Jesus, the Christ
     8105   assurance, basis of

Luke 7:18-25

     5098   John the Baptist

Luke 7:19-22

     2345   Christ, kingdom of

Luke 7:20-22

     1416   miracles, nature of
     8425   evangelism, nature of

Library
June 10 Evening
As Christ forgave you, so also do ye.--COL. 3:13. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both.--I forgave thee all that debt; shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on thee? When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive,
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

Greatness in the Kingdom
'He that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.'--LUKE vii. 28. We were speaking in a preceding sermon about the elements of true greatness, as represented in the life and character of John the Baptist. As we remarked then, our Lord poured unstinted eulogium upon the head of John, in the audience of the people, at the very moment when he showed himself weakest. 'None born of women' was, in Christ's eyes, 'greater than John the Baptist.' The eulogium, authoritative as it was, was immediately
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Thwarting God's Purpose
'The Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of Him.' --LUKE vii. 30. Our Lord has just been pouring unstinted praise on the head of John the Baptist. The eulogium was tenderly timed, for it followed, and was occasioned by the expression, through messengers, of John's doubts of Christ's Messiahship. Lest these should shake the people's confidence in the Forerunner, and make them think of him as weak and shifting, Christ speaks of him in the glowing
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

A Gluttonous Man and a Winebibber
'The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!'--LUKE vii. 34. Jesus Christ very seldom took any notice of the mists of calumny that drifted round Him. 'When He was reviled He reviled not again.' If ever He did allude to them it was for the sake of the people who were harming themselves by uttering them. So here, without the slightest trace of irritation, He quotes a malignant charge which was evidently in the
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Worthy-Not Worthy
'... They besought Him ... saying, That he was worthy for whom He should do this:... 6. I am not worthy that Thou shouldest enter under my roof: 7. Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto Thee....' --LUKE vii. 4. 6. 7. A Roman centurion, who could induce the elders of a Jewish village to approach Jesus on his behalf, must have been a remarkable person. The garrison which held down a turbulent people was not usually likely to be much loved by them. But this man, about whom the incident
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Go into Peace
'And He said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee: go in peace.'--LUKE vii. 50. We find that our Lord twice, and twice only, employs this form of sending away those who had received benefits from His hand. On both occasions the words were addressed to women: once to this woman, who was a sinner, and who was gibbeted by the contempt of the Pharisee in whose house the Lord was; and once to that poor sufferer who stretched out a wasted hand to lay upon the hem of His garment, in the hope of getting
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Jesus at the Bier
'And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. 14. And He came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And He said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 15. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And He delivered him to his mother.'--LUKE vii. 13-15. We owe our knowledge of this incident to Luke only. He is the Evangelist who specially delights in recording the gracious relations of our Lord with women, and he is also the Evangelist who
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

John's Doubts and Christ's Praise
'And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things. 19. And John calling unto him two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou He that should come? or look we for another? 20. 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? 21. And in the same hour He cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind He gave sight. 22. Then Jesus, answering,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

The Two Debtors
'There was a certain creditor which had two debtors; the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell Me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43. Simon answered and said, I suppose that he to whom he forgave most.'--LUKE vii.41-43. We all know the lovely story in which this parable is embedded. A woman of notoriously bad character had somehow come in contact with Jesus Christ, and had by Him been aroused from her
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Forgiveness and Love.
TEXT: LUKE vii. 36-50. HOWEVER much admiration and honour was given to our Saviour by many of His contemporaries during His life on earth; however powerfully a yet greater number were struck, at least for the moment, by His exalted character; still just His greatest words and His noblest deeds often remained dark even to the noblest and best around Him, and seemed to the rest a piece of insolent pretension. When He spoke of His eternal relation to the Eternal Father, even His more intimate disciples
Friedrich Schleiermacher—Selected Sermons of Schleiermacher

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke vii. 2, Etc. ; on the Three Dead Persons whom the Lord Raised.
1. The miracles of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ make indeed an impression on all who hear of, and believe them; but on different men in different ways. For some amazed at His miracles done on the bodies of men, have no knowledge to discern the greater; whereas some admire the more ample fulfilment in the souls of men at the present time of those things which they hear of as having been wrought on their bodies. The Lord Himself saith, "For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them;
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke vii. 37, "And Behold, a Woman who was in the City, a Sinner," Etc. On the Remission of Sins,
1. Since I believe that it is the will of God that I should speak to you on the subject whereof we are now reminded by the words of the Lord out of the Holy Scriptures, I will by His assistance deliver to you, Beloved, a Sermon touching the remission of sins. For when the Gospel was being read, ye gave most earnest heed, and the story was reported, and represented before the eyes of your heart. For ye saw, not with the body, but with the mind, the Lord Jesus Christ "sitting at meat in the Pharisee's
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

On Dress
"Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of -- wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; "But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." 1 Pet. 3:3, 4. 1. St. Paul exhorts all those who desire to "be transformed by the renewal of their minds," and to "prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God," not to be "conformed to this world." [Rom. 12:2]
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

Saving Faith
I. WHAT WAS IT THAT SAVED the two persons whose history we are about to consider? In the penitent woman's case, her great sins were forgiven her and she became a woman of extraordinary love: she loved much, for she had much forgiven. I feel, in thinking of her, something like an eminent father of the church who said, "This narrative is not one which I can well preach upon; I had far rather weep over it in secret." That woman's tears, that woman's unbraided tresses wiping the Saviour's feet, her coming
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 20: 1874

A Gracious Dismissal
THE main part of my subject will be--that gracious dismissal, "Go in peace." To her who had been so lately blest, the word "Go" sounded mournfully; for she would fain have remained through life with her pardoning Lord; but the added words "in peace" turned the wormwood into honey--there was now peace for her who had been so long hunted and harried by her sins. Rising from the feet she had washed with tears, she went forth to keep her future footsteps such as those of a believing, and therefore saved,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

Go in Peace
"And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace."--Luke 7:50. THERE appear to have been four stages in Christ's dealing with this woman. I know not what had preceded the narrative as we have it recorded in this chapter; I need not enter into that question now. There had, doubtless, been a work of the Spirit of God upon that woman's heart, turning her from her sin to her Saviour; but when she stood at our Master's feet, raining tears of penitence upon them, wiping them with the hairs
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 48: 1902

Liii. The Contemplation of Death.
16th Sunday after Trinity. S. Luke vii. 12. "Behold, there was a dead man carried out." INTRODUCTION.--The name of the village where the miracle was wrought which is recorded in this day's Gospel, was Nain, and the meaning of the name is "Pleasant" or "Beautiful." A sweet little village, you can picture it to yourself where you like, in the East, anywhere in Europe, here in England, it is all the same, an "Auburn" among villages, with thatched cottages, and green pastures, and the cows coming home
S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent

Answer to Mr. W's Third Objection.
Our author says: p. 19. By way of objection to the letter of these three miracles, Let us consider the condition of the persons raised from the dead.--Where then was his wisdom and prudence to chuse these three persons above others to that honour? p. 20. I answer, that Jesus did not ordinarily choose the subjects of his miracles, but heal'd those chiefly who earnestly implored his mercy, or who pressed on him to be healed, or importunately desired it of him by others, when they could not possibly
Nathaniel Lardner—A Vindication of Three of Our Blessed Saviour's Miracles

Justifying or Sanctifying Grace
Sanctifying grace is defined by Deharbe as "an unmerited, supernatural gift, imparted to the soul by the Holy Ghost, by which we are made just, children of God, and heirs of Heaven." As it makes sinners just, sanctifying grace is also called justifying, though this appellation can not be applied to the sanctification of our first parents in Paradise or to that of the angels and the sinless soul of Christ. Justification, as we have shown, consists in the infusion of sanctifying grace, and hence it
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual

Jesus Raises the Widow's Son.
(at Nain in Galilee.) ^C Luke VII. 11-17. ^c 11 And it came to pass soon afterwards [many ancient authorities read on the next day], that he went into a city called Nain; and his disciples went with him, and a great multitude. [We find that Jesus had been thronged with multitudes pretty continuously since the choosing of his twelve apostles. Nain lies on the northern slope of the mountain, which the Crusaders called Little Hermon, between twenty and twenty-five miles south of Capernaum, and about
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus' Feet Anointed in the House of a Pharisee.
(Galilee.) ^C Luke VII. 36-50. ^c 36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. [We learn from verse 40 that the Pharisee's name was Simon. Because the feast at Bethany was given in the house of Simon the leper, and because Jesus was anointed there also, some have been led to think that Luke is here describing this supper. See Matt. xxvi. 6-13; Mark xiv. 3-9; John xii. 1-8. But Simon the leper was not Simon the Pharisee. The name Simon was one of the most common among the Jewish
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Raising of the Young Man of Nain - the Meeting of Life and Death.
THAT early spring-tide in Galilee was surely the truest realisation of the picture in the Song of Solomon, when earth clad herself in garments of beauty, and the air was melodious with songs of new life. [2625] It seemed as if each day marked a widening circle of deepest sympathy and largest power on the part of Jesus; as if each day also brought fresh surprise, new gladness; opened hitherto unthought-of possibilities, and pointed Israel far beyond the horizon of their narrow expectancy. Yesterday
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Woman which was a Sinner
The precise date and place of the next recorded event in this Galilean journey of the Christ are left undetermined. It can scarcely have occurred in the quiet little town of Nain, indeed, is scarcely congruous with the scene which had been there enacted. And yet it must have followed almost immediately upon it. We infer this, not only from the silence of St. Matthew, which in this instance might have been due, not to the temporary detention of that Evangelist in Capernaum, while the others had followed
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

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