Luke 7:20

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?

When {G1161} the men {G435} were come {G3854} unto {G4314} him {G846}, they said {G2036}, John {G2491} Baptist {G910} hath sent {G649} us {G2248} unto {G4314} thee {G4571}, saying {G3004}, Art {G1488} thou {G4771} he that should come {G2064}? or {G2228} look we for {G4328} another {G243}?

When the men came to him, they said, "Yochanan the Immerser has sent us to you to ask, `Are you the one who is to come? Or should we keep looking -- for someone else?'"

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?’”

And when the men were come unto him, they said, John the Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another?

Commentary

Context of Luke 7:20

The setting for this pivotal exchange finds John the Baptist imprisoned by Herod (Luke 3:20). Despite his confinement, John hears of the extraordinary works performed by Jesus, including the healing of a centurion's servant and the raising of a widow's son in Nain (Luke 7:11-17). These powerful miracles, while undeniable, seem to prompt a question from John, or perhaps more accurately, from his disciples who needed reassurance. John sends two of his disciples to Jesus with a direct, challenging inquiry about His identity.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Question of Messianic Identity: John's direct question, "Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?" is central. "He that should come" (Greek: ho erchomenos) was a widely recognized Messianic title, reflecting the intense Messianic expectations prevalent in Israel. John, who had previously identified Jesus as the Lamb of God (John 1:29), now seeks ultimate confirmation, possibly to alleviate his own doubts under duress, or more likely, to solidify the faith of his followers.
  • Doubt and Assurance: This verse highlights that even great figures of faith like John the Baptist could experience moments of uncertainty. His question is not necessarily a sign of failing faith, but a human desire for clear confirmation in challenging circumstances. Jesus' subsequent response, detailed in Luke 7:22-23, focuses on the tangible evidence of His works as proof of His divine mission and identity.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: Jesus' answer to John's disciples, by pointing to the miracles He performed (the blind seeing, the lame walking, lepers cleansed, the deaf hearing, the dead raised, and the poor having the gospel preached to them), directly echoes the prophetic signs of the Messiah found in the Old Testament, particularly Isaiah 35:5-6 and Isaiah 61:1. This serves as undeniable proof of His divine authority and role.

Practical Application

Luke 7:20 reminds us that it is natural to have questions, even about profound spiritual truths. The important thing is to bring those questions to Jesus. His works, His teachings, and His transformative power continue to be the evidence of His identity as the Christ, the "He that should come." We are encouraged to examine the evidence and find our assurance not in fleeting feelings, but in the consistent and undeniable reality of who Jesus is and what He has done. This verse teaches us that faith is not blind, but an informed trust based on tangible proof.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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Cross-References

  • Luke 7:19

    ¶ 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?
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