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Luke 7:18–35 brings us back to John the Baptist, now imprisoned and hearing reports about everything Jesus has been doing. Earlier, John had openly recognised Jesus and pointed others towards Him, yet now he sends two disciples with a question: “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” This does not necessarily mean that John had abandoned his faith. Rather, it reminds us that even faithful servants of God can struggle when what the Lord is doing does not look the way they expected. Many were waiting for the Messiah to come immediately as a conquering King, bringing judgment and national deliverance. Yet Jesus’ first coming was marked by mercy, healing, redemption, teaching and humble service.
Jesus does not answer John with a lengthy argument. Instead, He tells the messengers to look at what they have seen and heard: the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. These were not random miracles. They were signs that echoed the prophets’ promises and bore witness to who Jesus really was. The evidence was standing before them. Christ was fulfilling the Scriptures — but He was doing so according to God’s purpose rather than the expectations people had built around Him. They expected a conqueror; they first received a Saviour. They expected judgement; they saw mercy. And Jesus adds the gentle warning: “Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”
After John’s messengers leave, Jesus speaks openly about him. John was no reed shaken by the wind, nor a comfortable court prophet dressed in fine clothing. He was the messenger promised beforehand, the one sent to prepare the way of the Lord. Jesus calls him more than a prophet and says that among those born of women there had not arisen one greater than John. John received the extraordinary privilege of announcing not merely that Messiah would come, but that He was here. Yet Jesus then says that the least in the kingdom of God is greater than John. John stood at the threshold of what Christ was accomplishing; believers now live on the other side of the cross and resurrection, under the new covenant, with the Holy Spirit dwelling within. That is no small privilege, and it should never become ordinary to us.
Luke then shows two very different responses to God’s Word. Those who had received John’s baptism — even the tax collectors — acknowledged what God was doing. The Pharisees and lawyers, however, “rejected the will of God for themselves.” They had religion, learning and position, yet still refused the messenger God had sent. That gives us an important warning. We must hear the Word of God for ourselves and allow Scripture to correct our assumptions. Religious systems, traditions and expectations are poor substitutes for a heart that humbly listens when God speaks.
Jesus closes by comparing that generation to dissatisfied children in the marketplace. John came with an austere life, and they said he had a demon. Jesus came eating and drinking with people, and they accused Him of being a glutton, a winebibber and a friend of sinners. Nothing would satisfy those who had already decided not to hear. The same danger remains today. Christ will not always fit the version of Him that people prefer. The answer is not to reshape Jesus to fit our expectations, but to listen, learn, and allow Holy Scripture to reveal Him as He truly is — our Messiah, Redeemer, and King.
Watch or listen to this study from Luke 7:18–35 as we consider John the Baptist’s question, the evidence Jesus gave of His identity, and why we must allow Scripture — rather than our expectations — to show us who Christ truly is.
Scriptures Mentioned / Referenced
- Luke 7:18–35 — main passage
- John 1:29–34 — John the Baptist recognising and bearing witness to Jesus
- Isaiah 35:5–6 — the blind seeing, the deaf hearing and the lame walking
- Isaiah 61:1 — good news preached to the poor
- Daniel 9:24–27 — Messianic prophecy and timing alluded to in the teaching
- Malachi 3:1 — the messenger sent ahead to prepare the way
- Romans 8:11 — the Spirit who raised Christ dwelling in believers
