Luke 7,18-35
Messengers from John the Baptist (Luke 7:18–35, ESV)
18 The disciples of John reported all these things to him.
19 Calling two of his disciples to him, John sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”
20 And when the men had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’”
21 In that hour He healed many people of diseases, plagues, and evil spirits, and on many who were blind He bestowed sight.
22 And He answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news preached to them.
23 And blessed is the one who is not offended by Me.”
24 When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
25 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings’ courts.
26 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
27 This is he of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’
28 I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
29 (When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just, having been baptized with the baptism of John,
30 but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.)
31 “To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like?
32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’
33 For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’
34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at Him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’
35 Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.”
Kiki’s Introduction
Hello everyone, I’m Kiki. The Chinese name for the second phase of our program is “读经大讲堂.” The English name is “Bible Study.”
We will adopt a relaxed and enjoyable learning style to introduce you to a new world of studying God’s Word. Each time, I will give a personal summary and analysis from a learner’s perspective, and then Sister Ingrid will guide us in deeper study and discussion.
I hope this interesting and interactive process will bring you a fresh learning experience. The following is my interview with Sister Ingrid on today’s topic.
This is the fifth lecture on the Gospel of Luke.
Feel free to leave a comment for discussion!
Kiki’s Summary of Luke 7:18–35
Today’s passage begins with John the Baptist hearing reports about all that Jesus is doing. From prison, John sends two of his disciples to ask Jesus: “Are You the one who is to come, or should we wait for someone else?”
Instead of answering directly, Jesus performs miracles: healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, helping the lame walk, cleansing lepers, making the deaf hear, raising the dead, and proclaiming good news to the poor.
He tells the messengers to report what they have seen and heard.
After they leave, Jesus praises John as more than a prophet, yet says the least in the kingdom of God is greater than John. He points out how the crowds criticized both John’s strict lifestyle and His own openness toward sinners, showing that true wisdom is recognized by the lives it transforms.
Sister Ingrid’s Comment
John began his ministry with great passion, boldly proclaiming the kingdom of God and identifying Jesus as the Messiah. He knew his own ministry was ending and that Jesus’ ministry was beginning.
But while in prison, he began to doubt. He wondered why the Messiah did not deliver him. Interestingly, some of John’s disciples remained with him instead of following Jesus.
John did the right thing—he sent them to ask Jesus directly. Jesus did not simply say “yes” or “no” but pointed them to the works they witnessed. He blessed those who do not stumble because of Him.
Jesus explained to the crowd that John was not a man of luxury but a true prophet—indeed, the very messenger foretold in the Old Testament. Yet even the least in God’s kingdom is greater than John, because John’s role belonged to the time before Jesus’ saving work was completed.
The common people and tax collectors accepted John’s baptism, but the religious leaders rejected it. Jesus compared that generation to children who refused to join in any tune—rejecting both John’s call to repentance and His own message of grace.
Q&A Based on Luke 7:18–35
- Why did John send his disciples to Jesus?
He was imprisoned and began to doubt whether Jesus was truly the Messiah. - What did Jesus do to show He was the Messiah?
He healed the blind, the lame, lepers, and the deaf, raised the dead, and preached good news to the poor. - List three kinds of people Jesus healed when they arrived.
The blind, the lame, and the lepers. - What message did Jesus tell them to carry back?
Report what they had seen and heard, and that those who do not stumble over Him are blessed. - How did Jesus describe John?
As the greatest prophet born of women, yet the least in God’s kingdom is greater. - Why did some accuse John of having a demon?
Because of his austere lifestyle—wearing camel’s hair and eating locusts and wild honey. - Why did others call Jesus a glutton and drunkard?
Because He ate and drank with all kinds of people, including “sinners.” - What point was Jesus making by comparing their ministries?
John called for repentance under the law; Jesus brought grace and salvation. - What does “Wisdom is justified by all her children” mean?
God’s wisdom is proven right by the changed lives of His true followers. - How does this show God’s plan may seem strange?
God’s purposes differ for each person, but all are equally valued, and all need redemption through Jesus.
