18 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 that 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 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. 23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. 24 And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 25 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts. 26 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. 27 This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. 29 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. 31 And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like? 32 They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept. 33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil. 34 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! 35 But wisdom is justified of all her children. (Luke 7:18-35 KJV)
Messengers from John the Baptist
All this discourse about John the Baptist was prompted by his question of whether Jesus was the Messiah. A similar account is found in Matthew 11:2-19.
John the Baptist, now in prison, also heard that Jesus had raised a widow’s dead son at Nain. He heard it through his disciples (Luke 7:18). Though he was confined, the work of God continued. This was meant to assure him that Christ’s ministry was actively fulfilling God’s redemptive plan.
John sent messengers to ask Jesus whether he was the one to come or if they should expect someone else (Luke 7:19-20). God had promised to send a Savior, the Messiah, and if Jesus was that promised one, they would accept him and stop looking for another.
John—or at least his disciples—needed confirmation, since Jesus had not yet publicly declared himself as the Messiah. He had not gained recognition from the Jewish leaders, nor had he shown the expected power and grandeur. His humble appearance made their question understandable.
Instead of a direct answer, Jesus pointed to his works. While John’s messengers were present, Jesus performed many miraculous healings (Luke 7:21). He healed physical and mental diseases and gave sight to the blind. Then he told them to report what they had seen (Luke 7:22). These miracles were both proof of his divine authority and illustrations of his mission. The Messiah was to heal the broken and bring light to those in darkness (Isaiah 61:1). Jesus did these things, even preaching good news to the poor, showing he fulfilled the prophecies (Psalm 72:13).
He also warned them of the danger of being offended by him (Luke 7:23). Many would stumble over his humble background—his upbringing in Nazareth, his poor family, and his simple followers. Yet those who were not offended were truly blessed, showing they had received God’s grace to overcome such stumbling blocks.
After the messengers left, Jesus praised John the Baptist to the crowd (Luke 7:24). He reminded them of John’s character and mission, urging them to reflect on what kind of man John was.
John was steadfast—not swayed like a reed in the wind. He did not conform to please Herod or others. He was also remarkably self-denying, not clothed in luxury or living in comfort (Luke 7:25), but living simply in the wilderness.
He was a prophet, called and instructed directly by God. Indeed, he was more than a prophet (Luke 7:26). While the prophets of old spoke of the Messiah from a distance, John announced him as present. John was the forerunner foretold in Malachi 3:1, preparing the way by preaching repentance (Luke 7:27). His simple and spiritual message revealed that the Messiah’s kingdom was not of this world.
John was greater than all the prophets. But Jesus added that the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he (Luke 7:28). Those under the gospel have a greater position because they serve under a more glorious covenant. This makes our responsibility even greater.
Jesus also exposed the people’s failure to respond to either John or himself. The common people, including tax collectors, accepted John’s message and were baptized (Luke 7:29). They justified God by submitting to his plan through repentance and reformation. But the religious leaders—the Pharisees and lawyers—rejected God’s purpose for them (Luke 7:30). By refusing John’s baptism, they missed the benefit of God’s grace and excluded themselves from the kingdom.
Jesus compared that generation to children playing in the marketplace who complained no matter what game was played (Luke 7:31-32). They were indifferent and unresponsive to any serious call from God.
They criticized both John and Jesus, each for opposite reasons. John was serious and austere, living in isolation, and they said he had a demon. Jesus was sociable, dining with Pharisees and tax collectors, and they accused him of being a glutton and a drunkard (Luke 7:33-34). They twisted everything to find fault, showing their hardened hearts.
Yet, despite their opposition, God’s wisdom will be proven right by her children (Luke 7:35). Those who truly belong to God will accept his ways and justify them, even when others mock or reject them. They will see the wisdom of God’s methods and submit to them with joy.