Luke 7:22

Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

Then {G2532} Jesus {G2424} answering {G611} said {G2036} unto them {G846}, Go your way {G4198}, and tell {G518} John {G2491} what things {G3739} ye have seen {G1492} and {G2532} heard {G191}; how {G3754} that the blind {G5185} see {G308}, the lame {G5560} walk {G4043}, the lepers {G3015} are cleansed {G2511}, the deaf {G2974} hear {G191}, the dead {G3498} are raised {G1453}, to the poor {G4434} the gospel is preached {G2097}.

So he answered them by saying, "Go, tell Yochanan what you have been seeing and hearing: the blind are seeing again, the lame are walking, people with tzara`at are being cleansed, the deaf are hearing, the dead are being raised, the Good News is being told to the poor --

So He replied, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

And he answered and said unto them, Go and tell John the things which ye have seen and heard; the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good tidings preached to them.

Commentary

In Luke 7:22, Jesus provides a powerful and undeniable answer to John the Baptist's disciples, who had been sent to inquire if He was indeed the promised Messiah. Instead of a simple "yes," Jesus points to the evidence of His miraculous works, which directly fulfill Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming Deliverer. This verse encapsulates the essence of Jesus' ministry: bringing physical and spiritual restoration, particularly to the marginalized.

Context

This verse is Jesus' direct response to the disciples of John the Baptist. John, imprisoned and perhaps facing doubts, sent his followers to ask Jesus, "Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?" (Luke 7:19). Before answering, Jesus performs many healings and exorcisms in their presence (Luke 7:21). His reply in verse 22 is therefore not merely a verbal declaration but a command to report what they have personally witnessed and heard, serving as irrefutable proof of His messianic identity.

Key Themes

  • Messianic Validation: Jesus validates His claim as the Messiah not through self-proclamation but through the extraordinary works He performs. The list of miracles—blind seeing, lame walking, lepers cleansed, deaf hearing, dead raised—are all signs that the Kingdom of God has arrived in His person.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: The specific miracles listed are a direct echo of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's ministry. For instance, the healing of the blind and deaf, and the lame walking, are foretold in Isaiah 35:5-6. The proclamation of the gospel to the poor is a direct quote from Isaiah 61:1, which Jesus Himself previously quoted as His mission statement in Luke 4:18-19.
  • Holistic Salvation: Jesus' ministry is portrayed as comprehensive, addressing both physical ailments and spiritual needs. The inclusion of "to the poor the gospel is preached" highlights His particular concern for the socially and economically marginalized, offering them not just physical healing but spiritual hope and liberation.
  • Divine Authority: These miracles underscore Jesus' unique authority over sickness, death, and human circumstances, demonstrating His divine power and role as the Son of God.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "to the poor the gospel is preached" is significant. The Greek word for "gospel" is euangelion (εὐαγγέλιον), meaning "good news" or "glad tidings." The emphasis on it being preached "to the poor" (ptochoi - πτωχοί) highlights that Jesus' message and kingdom are uniquely accessible and beneficial to those who are humble, dependent on God, and often overlooked by society. This was a revolutionary concept in a world where religious and social benefits often favored the wealthy and powerful.

Significance and Application

Luke 7:22 teaches us that Jesus' identity is confirmed by His actions, not just His words. For John the Baptist, and for us today, the evidence of Jesus' transformative power in the world serves as a testament to who He is. His ministry is characterized by compassion and a radical inclusivity that extends hope and healing to all, especially those in greatest need.

This verse encourages believers to look for God's work in the world, recognizing that His kingdom is still active. It reminds us that the true message of Christ brings liberation and good news to the downtrodden, challenging us to participate in ministries that reflect His holistic care for humanity.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 35:5 (47 votes)

    ¶ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

  • Isaiah 35:6 (47 votes)

    Then shall the lame [man] leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

  • Isaiah 61:1 (17 votes)

    ¶ The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound;

  • Isaiah 61:3 (17 votes)

    To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

  • Luke 4:18 (17 votes)

    The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

  • Isaiah 29:18 (14 votes)

    And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.

  • Isaiah 29:19 (14 votes)

    The meek also shall increase [their] joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.