In Praise of John the Baptist

18 Then John’s disciples told him about all these things.(A) So John summoned two of his disciples 19 and sent them to the Lord, asking, “Are you the one(B) who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

20 When the men reached him, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to ask you, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’”

21 At that time Jesus healed many people of diseases,(C) afflictions, and evil spirits,(D) and he granted sight to many blind people.(E) 22 He replied to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with leprosy[a] are cleansed, the deaf hear,(F) the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news,(G) 23 and blessed is the one who isn’t offended by me.”

24 After John’s messengers left, he began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind? 25 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothes? See, those who are splendidly dressed and live in luxury are in royal palaces. 26 What then did you go out to see? A prophet?(H) Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written:

See, I am sending my messenger
ahead of you;
he will prepare your way before you.[b](I)

28 I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John,[c] but the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

29 (And when all the people, including the tax collectors, heard this, they acknowledged God’s way of righteousness, because they had been baptized with John’s baptism.(J) 30 But since the Pharisees and experts in the law(K) had not been baptized by him, they rejected the plan of God for themselves.(L))

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Footnotes

  1. 7:22 Gk lepros; a term for various skin diseases; see Lv 13–14
  2. 7:27 Mal 3:1
  3. 7:28 Other mss read women is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist

The Messengers from John

18 (A)The disciples of John also reported to him about all these things. 19 And after summoning [a]two of his disciples, John sent them to (B)the Lord, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or are we to [b]look for another?” 20 When the men came to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, [c]to ask, ‘Are You the Coming One, or are we to [d]look for another?’” 21 At that very [e]time He (C)cured many people of diseases and (D)afflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind. 22 And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: people who were (E)blind receive sight, people who limped walk, people with leprosy are cleansed and people who were deaf hear, dead people are raised up, and (F)people who are poor have the gospel preached to them. 23 And blessed is [f]anyone who does not take offense at Me.”

24 When the messengers of John had left, He began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the [g]wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25 [h]But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who are splendidly clothed and live in luxury are found in royal palaces! 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written:

(G)Behold, I am sending My messenger [i]ahead of You,
Who will prepare Your way before You.’

28 I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is [j]least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” 29 When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they acknowledged (H)God’s justice, (I)having been baptized with (J)the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and the [k](K)lawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by [l]John.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 7:19 Lit a certain two
  2. Luke 7:19 Or wait for
  3. Luke 7:20 Lit saying
  4. Luke 7:20 Or wait for
  5. Luke 7:21 Lit hour
  6. Luke 7:23 Lit whoever
  7. Luke 7:24 I.e., desert
  8. Luke 7:25 Or Well then, what
  9. Luke 7:27 Lit before Your face
  10. Luke 7:28 Or less
  11. Luke 7:30 I.e., experts in the Mosaic Law
  12. Luke 7:30 Lit him