LUKE 7:18–23
THE MESSENGERS FROM JOHN THE BAPTIST
BRIEF INTERPRETATION
Text – Luke 7:18–23
18 The disciples of John told him about all these things. John summoned two of his disciples
19 and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”
21 At that time he cured many of their diseases, sufferings, and evil spirits; he also granted sight to many who were blind.
22 And he said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.”
23 “And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”
Historical and Jewish Context
John the Baptist, now imprisoned (cf. Luke 3:20), sends messengers to Jesus, likely seeking confirmation of His identity as the Messiah. At the time, many Jews expected a political or military Messiah who would deliver Israel from Roman rule. Jesus’ response echoes messianic prophecies from Isaiah (especially Isaiah 35:5–6 and 61:1), focusing on healing, restoration, and the proclamation of good news to the poor. His mission was not about worldly power but divine mercy and fulfillment of Scripture.
Catholic Theological Perspective
Jesus reaffirms His identity and mission through actions, not just words. By pointing to the signs of the Kingdom—healing, raising the dead, proclaiming the Gospel—He fulfills Old Testament prophecies and reveals Himself as the Messiah (CCC 548, 2447). John’s question represents the struggle of faith when expectations are challenged. Jesus’ closing remark, “Blessed is the one who takes no offense at me,” speaks to all who may be tempted to stumble over the mystery of a suffering, humble Messiah (CCC 440, 161). Faith requires trust in God’s plan, even when it doesn’t match our human hopes.
Parallels in Scripture
Isaiah 35:5–6 – The blind see, the lame leap
Isaiah 61:1 – The Spirit of the Lord brings good news to the poor
Matthew 11:2–6 – Parallel account of John’s messengers
Luke 4:18–21 – Jesus proclaims fulfillment of Isaiah in the synagogue
1 Peter 2:6–8 – Christ as the cornerstone some reject
Key Terms
The One Who Is to Come – A messianic title rooted in prophetic hope
Signs – Miraculous deeds as confirmation of divine mission
Poor – Both materially and spiritually poor, recipients of the Gospel
No Offense – A call to faith that embraces Christ’s true mission
Blessed – Favored by God for believing without stumbling
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This passage appears during Advent, when the Church reflects on the identity of Jesus and prepares for His coming. It is also proclaimed during times of reflection on faith and discipleship, encouraging believers to trust in God’s ways even when they differ from our expectations.
Conclusion
John’s question opens the door for Jesus to clarify the true nature of the Messiah. His answer reveals that the Kingdom is not about force, but about healing, compassion, and salvation. Faith sometimes requires patience and trust when God’s plan unfolds differently than we imagined.
Reflection
Do I sometimes struggle with unmet expectations in my faith journey?
How do I respond when Jesus’ ways challenge my assumptions or comfort?
Am I open to the signs of God’s Kingdom unfolding quietly and mercifully around me?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You are the One who was to come. Strengthen my faith when I doubt or do not understand Your ways. Help me to see the signs of Your love in the world and to trust that Your Kingdom is growing, even when it is hidden. Blessed are those who do not stumble over You—make me one of them. Amen.
DETAILED INTERPRETATION
INTRODUCTION
Luke 7:18–23 presents a poignant moment in the ministry of Jesus, as John the Baptist—now imprisoned—sends messengers to ask whether Jesus is truly “the one who is to come.” In the Jewish expectation of the Messiah, many anticipated a decisive figure who would bring judgment, restore Israel, and overthrow oppression. John, who had boldly proclaimed repentance and divine judgment, now faces suffering and uncertainty. From prison, his question reflects not disbelief, but a sincere struggle to reconcile expectation with experience.
Historically, Jesus responds not with a direct answer, but by pointing to His works—healings, liberation, restoration, and the proclamation of good news to the poor. These actions echo the prophecies of Isaiah, deeply familiar within Jewish tradition, where God’s saving presence is revealed through mercy and renewal rather than immediate judgment. Jesus affirms John’s role while gently redefining messianic hope, showing that God’s plan unfolds through compassion, patience, and faith.
Lk 7:18 — “The disciples of John told him about all these things.”
This verse marks a turning point where testimony reaches discernment. The deeds of Jesus—His teaching, healing, and raising of the dead—do not remain within the crowds; they are reported to John the Baptist through his disciples. What Jesus has done now demands interpretation. Deeds call for meaning.
Luke’s phrase “all these things” gathers the recent events into a single witness: authority over sickness, compassion for the poor, power over death, and the spread of God’s visitation among the people. John, the forerunner, who proclaimed the coming One, must now listen to reports and discern their fulfillment. Faith here moves from proclamation to confirmation.
This verse also highlights the role of disciples as messengers. They observe, report, and transmit what they have seen. Revelation often advances through such faithful communication. God’s action is mediated through human witness, inviting reflection rather than forcing conclusion.
Historical and Jewish Context
John the Baptist had disciples who remained connected to his prophetic mission.
Reports of prophetic deeds were evaluated in light of messianic expectation.
Jewish tradition valued testimony as a basis for discernment and judgment.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic perspective, this verse shows how faith grows through hearing and reflection. The Church teaches that God’s revelation is received through witness and transmitted through authentic testimony (cf. CCC 74, 905).
Spiritually, John’s situation mirrors the believer’s journey: moments arise when faith must pause to listen, weigh, and seek clarity about God’s work.
Key Terms
Disciples of John — witnesses and messengers
Told him — transmission of testimony
All these things — fullness of Jesus’ saving deeds
Conclusion
Lk 7:18 shows that God’s works invite discernment. Testimony reaches John, preparing the way for a deeper question about Jesus’ identity and mission.
Reflection
When I hear of God’s work, do I take time to reflect and discern its meaning? How do the testimonies of others shape and deepen my faith?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You act powerfully in history and in our lives. Give me a listening heart to receive witness, wisdom to discern Your work, and humility to seek truth when faith calls me to deeper understanding. Amen.
Lk 7:19 — “John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?’”
This verse brings John the Baptist’s mission to a moment of searching clarity. Though John had proclaimed the coming One with confidence, he now sends disciples to the Lord with a direct and honest question. Faith here is not denial or doubt for its own sake; it is discernment in obedience. John seeks confirmation, not for himself alone, but for his disciples and for the unfolding of God’s plan.
The question itself is carefully framed. “The one who is to come” echoes messianic expectation rooted in Scripture. John does not ask whether Jesus is a prophet or teacher, but whether He is the awaited fulfillment of God’s promise. The alternative—“should we look for another?”—acknowledges the seriousness of the discernment. True faith does not cling to assumptions; it seeks truth.
Luke’s wording is significant: John sends them to the Lord. Even in questioning, John directs others toward Jesus. The forerunner continues his role—pointing away from himself and toward Christ. This verse honors a faith mature enough to ask and humble enough to listen.
Historical and Jewish Context
Messianic expectation included hope for liberation, restoration, and divine visitation.
John’s imprisonment heightened the tension between expectation and fulfillment.
Prophetic discernment often involved testing events against Scripture.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic perspective, this verse illustrates faithful questioning within trust. The Church teaches that authentic faith can include moments of seeking and clarification, always oriented toward God (cf. CCC 157, 2088).
Spiritually, John models humility and responsibility. Rather than fostering confusion among his disciples, he sends them directly to Christ. Questions become pathways to deeper faith when they are brought to the Lord.
Key Terms
Summoned — deliberate act of discernment
The one who is to come — messianic hope
Look for another — honest seeking of truth
Conclusion
Lk 7:19 shows that true faith is not threatened by honest questions. John’s inquiry is an act of obedience and humility, guiding others to seek confirmation directly from the Lord.
Reflection
When questions arise in my faith, do I bring them to Christ or allow them to distance me from Him? How can honest seeking deepen rather than weaken trust?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You welcome sincere hearts that seek truth. When questions arise within me, lead me closer to You rather than away. Grant me humility to ask, patience to wait, and faith to trust Your revelation. Amen.
Lk 7:20 — “When the men came to him, they said, ‘John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”’”
This verse places John’s question squarely before Jesus. The messengers come to him and faithfully repeat the inquiry, without alteration or interpretation. Luke emphasizes the clarity and seriousness of the question by repeating it verbatim. The issue at hand is not curiosity, but identity: whether Jesus is truly the awaited Messiah.
By naming John the Baptist, the messengers underscore the weight of the question. John is not an outsider or skeptic; he is the prophetic forerunner. The question therefore carries communal and theological significance. It invites Jesus to respond publicly—not with theory, but with revelation grounded in His mission and deeds.
Luke’s narrative pacing is deliberate. Before Jesus answers, He will act. The Gospel consistently shows that Jesus’ identity is revealed not first through titles, but through works that embody God’s saving power. This verse heightens anticipation, preparing the reader to see how Jesus allows deeds to speak where words alone would be insufficient.
Historical and Jewish Context
Messianic claims required discernment through signs and fulfillment of Scripture.
Prophetic questions were often posed publicly to invite divine clarification.
Repeating the question verbatim ensured accuracy and accountability.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic perspective, this verse highlights the Church’s method of discernment: questions about Christ are answered through His works interpreted in the light of Scripture. The Church teaches that Jesus reveals Himself through what He says and does (cf. CCC 547, 561).
Spiritually, the verse reminds believers that sincere questions brought to Christ are welcomed and answered in God’s way and time.
Key Terms
Came to him — direct encounter with Christ
Sent us — faithful mediation of inquiry
The one who is to come — fulfillment of God’s promise
Conclusion
Lk 7:20 places the central question of faith before Jesus: Is He the One? The stage is set for a response grounded not in assertion, but in the visible works of God.
Reflection
When I seek clarity about Christ, do I bring my questions directly to Him? Am I attentive to how His works and presence answer more deeply than words alone?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You receive every sincere question with patience and truth. Help me to bring my doubts and hopes directly to You, and open my eyes to recognize who You are through Your works of mercy and power. Amen.
Lk 7:21 — “At that very time he cured many of their diseases, sufferings, and evil spirits; he also granted sight to many who were blind.”
This verse presents Jesus’ response before any spoken answer is given. Luke emphasizes timing: “at that very time.” The reply to John’s question unfolds through action. Jesus does not argue His identity; He reveals it. Healing, liberation, and restoration become His living testimony.
The scope of Jesus’ works is deliberately comprehensive. He cures diseases, relieves sufferings, expels evil spirits, and restores sight to the blind. These are not isolated miracles but signs of the Kingdom breaking into human misery at every level—physical, spiritual, and social. Jesus embodies God’s saving presence in deeds that directly address the wounds of humanity.
Luke’s listing echoes messianic promises found in the prophets, especially Isaiah. Without quoting Scripture yet, Jesus allows Scripture to come alive before the eyes of the messengers. What they witness is the answer. The Kingdom is not theoretical; it is visible, active, and merciful.
Historical and Jewish Context
Messianic expectation included healing the sick and giving sight to the blind (cf. Is 35:5–6; 61:1).
Exorcism and healing were seen as signs of God’s decisive intervention.
Public acts provided credible testimony for discernment.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic perspective, this verse shows that Jesus’ identity is revealed through His works of mercy. The Church teaches that Christ’s miracles are signs that the Kingdom of God is present and that He is the promised Messiah (cf. CCC 547, 548).
Spiritually, the verse teaches that faith is often strengthened not by explanation alone, but by witnessing God’s action. Christ continues to reveal Himself through healing grace, especially in the sacramental life.
Key Terms
At that very time — God’s answer unfolding in action
Cured / granted sight — restoration of human wholeness
Evil spirits — liberation from spiritual bondage
Conclusion
Lk 7:21 proclaims that Jesus answers questions of faith with deeds of salvation. His works reveal His identity more powerfully than words, showing that the Kingdom of God is truly present.
Reflection
Do I look for Christ’s presence only in explanations, or do I recognize Him in acts of mercy and healing around me? Where might God already be answering my questions through action?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You reveal Yourself through works of compassion and power. Open my eyes to recognize Your presence in healing, liberation, and mercy, and strengthen my faith to trust that You are truly the One who has come to save. Amen.
Lk 7:22 — “And he answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.’”
Jesus now gives His explicit answer to John’s question, but He does so by directing attention to evidence, not by making a claim. The messengers are told to go and tell John what they themselves have witnessed. Sight, movement, cleansing, hearing, life restored, and the Gospel preached to the poor—these works together form a comprehensive portrait of messianic fulfillment.
The list is carefully ordered and deeply scriptural. Each action echoes prophetic promises, especially from Isaiah, where the coming age of salvation is described in precisely these terms. Jesus does not say, “I am the Messiah.” Instead, He allows Scripture to interpret His deeds. The Kingdom is present wherever human brokenness is reversed and the poor are evangelized.
Luke places special emphasis on the poor. The final sign is not a miracle of power, but a proclamation of hope. The Gospel reaches those who are last, overlooked, and dependent. This confirms that Jesus’ mission is not merely restorative, but redemptive—addressing the whole human person and the whole people of God.
Historical and Jewish Context
Isaianic prophecies described messianic times as marked by healing and restoration (cf. Is 35:5–6; 61:1).
Such signs were expected of God’s anointed servant.
Proclaiming good news to the poor was central to prophetic hope.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic perspective, this verse affirms Jesus as the promised Messiah whose identity is revealed through salvific works. The Church teaches that these signs confirm Christ’s mission and inaugurate the Kingdom of God (cf. CCC 547, 549).
Spiritually, Jesus teaches that faith grows through attentive seeing and hearing. Witness to God’s action strengthens belief and guides discernment.
Key Terms
Seen and heard — witness-based faith
Poor — primary recipients of the Gospel
Dead are raised — victory over death
Conclusion
Lk 7:22 proclaims that Jesus fulfills the messianic promises through deeds of mercy and power. His works speak clearly: the Kingdom of God has arrived.
Reflection
What signs of God’s Kingdom do I see and hear in my life today? How can I bear witness to others about what Christ has done and continues to do?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You fulfill every promise of salvation. Open my eyes to see Your works, my ears to hear Your Gospel, and my heart to believe that You are truly the One sent by the Father for the life of the world. Amen.
Lk 7:23 — “And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”
This verse concludes Jesus’ response to John with a gentle yet penetrating beatitude. After pointing to His works as signs of messianic fulfillment, Jesus addresses the deeper challenge of expectation versus reality. The blessing is pronounced not on those who merely witness miracles, but on those who do not take offense at the way God chooses to act.
The phrase “take offense” implies stumbling, disappointment, or resistance. Jesus acknowledges that His mission may not align with popular hopes for a political liberator or a dramatic judge. The Kingdom arrives quietly, mercifully, and paradoxically—through healing, humility, and suffering love. Blessed, then, are those who accept God’s ways even when they unsettle assumptions.
This beatitude is both compassionate and challenging. It honors those—like John—who seek honestly, and it warns against rejecting God’s work because it does not fit human expectation. Faith matures when it trusts God’s wisdom over personal preference.
Historical and Jewish Context
Messianic expectations often emphasized judgment and national restoration.
Jesus’ merciful approach challenged rigid or triumphalist hopes.
“Stumbling” language was commonly used for spiritual resistance.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic perspective, this verse highlights the necessity of faith that perseveres amid mystery. The Church teaches that Christ can be a “sign of contradiction,” and that true faith accepts God’s plan even when it includes suffering and humility (cf. CCC 548, 618).
Spiritually, the beatitude calls believers to humility of mind and heart. Trust grows when one accepts Christ as He reveals Himself, not as one expects Him to be.
Key Terms
Blessed — favored by God
Takes no offense — does not stumble in faith
At me — acceptance of Christ’s true mission
Conclusion
Lk 7:23 proclaims a blessing upon resilient faith. Those who accept Jesus without stumbling over His unexpected ways are truly blessed.
Reflection
Do I struggle when God’s ways differ from my expectations? Where might Christ be inviting me to deeper trust rather than disappointment?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You reveal God’s wisdom through humility and mercy. Keep my heart from stumbling when Your ways challenge my understanding. Grant me a faith that trusts You fully and rejoices in Your saving work, even when it unfolds differently than I expect. Amen.
CONCLUSION
For believers today, Luke 7:18–23 speaks powerfully to moments of doubt and waiting. Even faithful servants like John can experience uncertainty when suffering seems unanswered. This passage reassures us that questioning is not a failure of faith, but can be part of a deeper journey toward trust. Jesus invites us to look not only for dramatic signs, but for the quiet, faithful work of God already unfolding around us.
This Gospel also challenges us to recognize how God’s salvation often comes in unexpected ways. Healing, forgiveness, and hope offered to the poor and marginalized reveal the true identity of Christ. Blessed are those who do not lose faith when God’s action differs from their expectations. Trusting in Christ means learning to see with eyes shaped by Scripture, mercy, and hope.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, when our faith is tested by doubt or suffering, help us to trust in Your saving work. Open our eyes to recognize Your presence in acts of mercy, healing, and hope. Strengthen us to remain faithful even when answers seem delayed. May we be blessed by trusting You fully, now and always. Amen.