Luke 7:19

KJV

¶ 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?

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} John {G2491} calling {G4341} unto him two {G1417}{G5100} of his {G846} disciples {G3101} sent {G3992} them to {G4314} Jesus {G2424}, saying {G3004}, Art {G1488} thou {G4771} he that should come {G2064}? or {G2228} look we for {G4328} another {G243}?

Complete Jewish Bible

and sent them to the Lord to ask, "Are you the one who is to come? Or should we look for someone else?"

Berean Standard Bible

So John called two of his disciples and sent them to ask the Lord, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?”

American Standard Version

And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to the Lord, saying, Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 7:19 records a pivotal moment where John the Baptist, from his prison cell, dispatches two of his disciples to Jesus with a direct and profound inquiry: "Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?" This question, coming from the one who previously heralded Jesus as the Lamb of God, highlights the complexity of messianic expectation and the human struggle with doubt, even among the greatest figures of faith, setting the stage for Jesus to affirm His identity through His miraculous works and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Luke's Gospel, following powerful demonstrations of Jesus's authority and compassion. Immediately preceding this passage, Jesus has healed a Roman centurion's servant with a word ([Luke 7:1-10](/luke/7-1-10 "Jesus Heals the Centurion's Servant")), showcasing His divine power over sickness and distance. Even more dramatically, He has just raised the son of a widow in Nain from the dead ([Luke 7:11-17](/luke/7-11-17 "Jesus Raises the Widow's Son at Nain")), a miracle that profoundly impacted the crowds and spread His fame throughout Judea. It is against this backdrop of undeniable miraculous activity that John, now imprisoned by Herod Antipas ([Luke 3:19-20](/luke/3-19-20 "John the Baptist Imprisoned by Herod")), sends his disciples. John's question, therefore, is not posed in ignorance of Jesus's works but perhaps in response to them, seeking clarification or confirmation regarding the *nature* of the Messiah's kingdom, which did not align with a more immediate, forceful, or political liberation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Judaism was fervent with messianic expectation, though the understanding of the Messiah varied widely. Many anticipated a conquering king who would overthrow Roman oppression and restore Israel's political sovereignty, often drawing on prophecies of a powerful Davidic ruler. John the Baptist himself had preached a message of repentance and impending judgment, speaking of a Messiah who would "gather his wheat into the garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable" ([Luke 3:17](/luke/3-17 "John's Prophecy of the Coming One's Judgment")). This fiery, judgmental expectation contrasted sharply with Jesus's ministry, which was characterized by healing, teaching, and compassion for the marginalized. John's imprisonment by Herod Antipas for condemning Herod's unlawful marriage ([Luke 3:19-20](/luke/3-19-20 "John's Imprisonment")) likely intensified his personal suffering and perhaps his impatience for the Messiah's decisive intervention, leading to the urgent inquiry about Jesus's identity and the nature of His kingdom.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme in this passage is the **Messianic Identity** of Jesus. John's question directly addresses whether Jesus is indeed "the Coming One," a widely recognized title for the long-awaited deliverer of Israel, echoing prophecies found in the Old Testament. Another crucial theme is **Doubt and Human Expectation versus Divine Reality**. Even a prophet of John's stature, who had previously affirmed Jesus's divine role ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John the Baptist Identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God")), grapples with uncertainty when God's plan unfolds in ways that diverge from human preconceptions. This humanizes John and illustrates that faith journeys can include moments of profound questioning. Finally, the passage introduces the theme of **Verification Through Works**. Jesus does not respond with a simple "yes" or "no" but instructs John's disciples to report what they have seen and heard—His miracles and the preaching of the good news to the poor ([Luke 7:22](/luke/7-22 "Jesus's Response to John's Disciples")), thereby validating His messianic claims through the fulfillment of prophetic signs.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **calling (Greek, _proskaléomai'_):** This verb means "to call toward oneself," implying a deliberate summoning or invitation. John, despite his imprisonment, actively initiates contact with Jesus, demonstrating his earnest desire for clarity and his authority to send his disciples on such a crucial mission.
* **he that should come (Greek, _érchomai'_):** While the KJV translates "he that should come," the Greek phrase "ὁ ἐρχόμενος" (ho erchomenos) literally means "the coming one." This was a significant and widely understood messianic title in Jewish thought, referring to the prophesied deliverer. John's use of this specific term underscores the profound theological weight of his question, directly challenging Jesus's claim to be the long-awaited Messiah.
* **look we for (Greek, _prosdokáō'_):** This word conveys the sense of anticipating, expecting, or awaiting something, often with a degree of hope or apprehension. John's inquiry, "or look we for another?", reveals a deep-seated expectation for a particular kind of Messiah and an underlying uncertainty about whether Jesus perfectly fits that mold, or if another, perhaps more overtly powerful or judgmental, figure is yet to appear.
* **another (Greek, _állos'_):** This term means "different" or "other of the same kind." John's question presents a stark dichotomy: either Jesus is the one, or they must continue to await someone else who will fulfill the messianic role according to their expectations. This highlights the critical nature of the decision John and his disciples faced regarding Jesus's identity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And John calling unto him two of his disciples":** This clause establishes John's agency and his method of inquiry. Despite his confinement, he retains influence over his followers and takes decisive action to address his concerns. The choice of "two" disciples might be for confirmation, as two witnesses were a legal standard, or simply for reliable transmission of the message.
* **"sent them to Jesus, saying":** This indicates the directness and urgency of John's query. He doesn't send a general message but specifically dispatches his trusted emissaries to Jesus Himself, signifying the gravity of the question and the respect John still held for Jesus, even in his moment of doubt.
* **"Art thou he that should come?":** This is the core of John's theological and personal struggle. It is a direct challenge to Jesus's identity as the Messiah, the "Coming One" prophesied in the Hebrew Scriptures. The question implies that Jesus's ministry, characterized by healing and teaching rather than immediate political or military action, might not align with John's (or popular) expectations of the Messiah.
* **"or look we for another?":** This alternative underscores the depth of John's uncertainty. It suggests that if Jesus is not the expected Messiah, then the search must continue for someone else who will fulfill the role in the manner anticipated. This reveals the tension between the prevailing messianic expectations and the unexpected nature of Jesus's kingdom.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 7:19 employs several significant literary devices that enrich its meaning. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question**. John's inquiry, "Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?", is not necessarily a request for new information, but rather a profound expression of doubt, a plea for confirmation, or perhaps even a strategic move to solidify his disciples' faith by prompting a direct response from Jesus. This question also creates **Dramatic Irony**, as the reader already knows Jesus's true identity as the Messiah, making John's struggle all the more poignant. His previous bold declarations about Jesus ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John the Baptist Identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God")) stand in stark **Contrast** to his current uncertainty, highlighting the human element of faith and the challenges of reconciling divine plans with personal expectations. Furthermore, the passage serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for Jesus's powerful and prophetic response in the subsequent verses, where He will validate His identity not through direct affirmation, but through the evidence of His miraculous works and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 7:19 profoundly illustrates the human struggle with faith and expectation, even for those intimately connected to God's redemptive plan. John the Baptist, the prophet who prepared the way for the Messiah, found himself wrestling with doubt when Jesus's ministry did not conform to his preconceived notions of a forceful, judgmental deliverer. This passage teaches us that faith is not the absence of questions, but the courage to bring those questions to God. It underscores the truth that God's ways are often higher and more unexpected than our own, challenging us to trust His timing and methods, even when they diverge from our expectations. Ultimately, John's question serves as a catalyst for Jesus to reveal the nature of His kingdom, not through political power, but through compassionate acts that fulfill ancient prophecies, demonstrating that the Messiah's work is primarily one of healing, liberation, and the proclamation of good news to the poor.

* [Matthew 11:2-6](/matthew/11-2-6 "Matthew's Account of John's Inquiry")
* [Isaiah 35:5-6](/isaiah/35-5-6 "Isaiah's Prophecy of the Messiah's Works")
* [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John the Baptist Identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 7:19 offers a powerful and deeply human lesson for believers today: it is acceptable, even natural, to experience moments of doubt or confusion in our faith journey. John the Baptist, a man whom Jesus Himself called the greatest born among women ([Luke 7:28](/luke/7-28 "Jesus's Commendation of John the Baptist")), faced profound uncertainty when his expectations of the Messiah did not align with Jesus's gentle, healing ministry. This passage grants us permission to bring our honest questions and struggles to Jesus, rather than suppressing them. When we find ourselves questioning God's timing, His methods, or even His presence in difficult circumstances, we are called to look to Jesus's character and His works, both in Scripture and in our lives. His actions consistently demonstrate His divine authority, His boundless compassion, and His perfect wisdom, even when His path seems unconventional to us. This verse encourages us to release our rigid expectations of how God "should" act and instead embrace His sovereign, often surprising, ways, trusting that His plan is always perfect, even when it leads to personal discomfort or confusion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically respond when God's actions or timing don't align with my personal expectations or desires?**
* **What specific "works" of Jesus, as revealed in the Gospels, provide the strongest evidence of His divine identity for me personally?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be holding onto rigid expectations that prevent me from fully trusting God's unconventional ways?**

### FAQ
**Why would John the Baptist, who recognized Jesus earlier, now doubt Him?**

Answer: Scholars propose several reasons for John's seemingly surprising question. First, John was imprisoned ([Luke 3:19-20](/luke/3-19-20 "John's Imprisonment")), facing a grim future, which could have led to despair or impatience for the Messiah's decisive intervention. His expectation was likely of a more immediate, forceful, and judgmental Messiah, one who would "lay the axe unto the root of the trees" ([Matthew 3:10](/matthew/3-10 "John's Warning of Judgment")) and establish a visible kingdom, rather than the healing and teaching ministry Jesus was conducting. The gentle nature of Jesus's early ministry, devoid of overt political or military action, might have caused John to question if Jesus was truly the one, or if another, more conforming to his expectations, was still to come. Second, it's possible John sent his disciples to Jesus not for his own sake, but for theirs. His disciples were still following him, and by sending them directly to Jesus, John might have intended for them to witness Jesus's ministry firsthand, solidifying their faith and transitioning their allegiance to the true Messiah. This act would have served as a pastoral gesture, guiding them to the source of ultimate truth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John the Baptist's poignant question in Luke 7:19, "Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?", serves as a powerful Christ-centered moment, even in its expression of doubt. It forces Jesus to articulate His messianic identity, not through a simple declaration, but through the undeniable evidence of His works, which perfectly fulfilled Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. Jesus's response in [Luke 7:22-23](/luke/7-22-23 "Jesus's Answer to John's Disciples")—healing the blind, the lame, the lepers, the deaf, raising the dead, and preaching the gospel to the poor—demonstrates that He is indeed the "Coming One" ([Isaiah 35:5-6](/isaiah/35-5-6 "Isaiah's Prophecy of the Messiah's Works"); [Isaiah 61:1](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah's Prophecy of the Anointed One")). This passage highlights that Jesus's kingship was not primarily political or military, as many expected, but spiritual and redemptive, bringing healing and liberation from sin and its effects. Ultimately, Jesus is the one who "came into the world to save sinners" ([1 Timothy 1:15](/1_timothy/1-15 "Christ Jesus Came to Save Sinners")), the "Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John the Baptist Identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God")), and the one who will "come again" ([John 14:3](/john/14-3 "Jesus Promises to Return")) to establish His eternal kingdom in its fullness. John's question, therefore, provides an opportunity for Jesus to reveal the true, unexpected, and infinitely more profound nature of His messianic mission, culminating in His atoning death and glorious resurrection, which fully confirm Him as the "he that should come" for all humanity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 110:1

¶ A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Psalms 110:4

The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Jeremiah 23:5

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

Jeremiah 23:6

In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this [is] his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Isaiah 11:1

¶ And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

Isaiah 40:10

Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong [hand], and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward [is] with him, and his work before him.

Isaiah 40:11

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry [them] in his bosom, [and] shall gently lead those that are with young.