Luke 7:19
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Luke 7:19
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?
Chapter Context
Luke 7 is a historical gospel chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of prayer, mercy, covenant. Written during the late first century CE (c. 80-85 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Written when Christians needed to understand their place in the Roman world.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-50: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it offers practical wisdom for godly living in a fallen world. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Luke and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Luke 7:19
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?
Analysis
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? John's question uses the phrase ὁ ἐρχόμενος (ho erchomenos, "the Coming One"), a messianic title referencing Malachi 3:1 and Psalm 118:26. The alternative—"or look we for another" (ἢ ἄλλον προσδοκῶμεν, ē allon prosdokōmen)—reveals genuine uncertainty. This is remarkable because John had previously identified Jesus as "the Lamb of God" (John 1:29), seen the Spirit descend on Him (John 1:32-34), and declared "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).
Why does John doubt? Several factors converge: prolonged imprisonment tests faith; John expected Messiah to bring immediate judgment ("the axe is laid unto the root," Luke 3:9; "he will throughly purge his floor," 3:17), but Jesus was healing, teaching, and dining with sinners rather than overthrowing Rome or executing judgment on the wicked. John's question is not apostasy but perplexity—his theology needs recalibration. Jesus' ministry of grace must precede His return in judgment. The present age is the "acceptable year of the Lord" (4:19), not yet "the day of vengeance of our God" (Isaiah 61:2, which Jesus conspicuously did not quote in the Nazareth synagogue).
Historical Context
Jewish messianic expectation in the first century emphasized military deliverance and political restoration of Israel's kingdom. The Dead Sea Scrolls reveal expectations of two messiahs (priestly and kingly) and violent overthrow of Gentile oppression. John's ministry proclaimed imminent judgment (Luke 3:7-17), preparing people for a conquering Messiah. Jesus' actual ministry—healing the sick, raising the dead, preaching good news to the poor—fulfilled Isaiah 35:5-6 and 61:1-2 but didn't match popular militant expectations. John's question reflects this theological tension between expectation and reality.
Reflection
- What does John's doubt teach about the reality of faith struggles even among the most spiritually mature believers?
- How does Jesus' first coming in grace (to save) versus His second coming in judgment (to judge) explain the timing questions John struggled with?
- In what ways do our own expectations of how God should work sometimes blind us to how He is actually working?