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

John the Baptist Sends Messengers to Jesus(A)

18 John’s disciples told him about all these things. So John called two of his disciples 19 and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the Coming One, or should we wait for someone else?”

20 When the men had come to Jesus,[a] they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the Coming One, or should we wait for someone else?’”

21 At that time Jesus[b] had healed many people of diseases, plagues, and evil spirits, and had given sight to many who were blind. 22 So he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have observed and heard: the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear again, the dead are raised, and the destitute hear the good news. 23 How blessed is anyone who is not offended by me!”

24 When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus[c] began to ask the crowds about John. “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25 Really, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fancy clothes? Look! Those who wear fine clothes and live in luxury are in royal palaces. 26 Really, what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and even more than a prophet! 27 This is the man about whom it is written,

‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way before you.’[d]

28 I tell you, no one has ever been born who is[e] greater than John. Yet even the least important person in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

29 By having been baptized with John’s baptism, all the people who listened, including the tax collectors, acknowledged God’s justice.[f] 30 But the Pharisees and the experts in the Law rejected God’s plan for themselves[g] by refusing to be baptized by John.[h]

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 7:20 Lit. him
  2. Luke 7:21 Lit. he
  3. Luke 7:24 Lit. he
  4. Luke 7:27 Cf. Mal 3:1; Exod 23:20
  5. Luke 7:28 Lit. one among those born of women have been
  6. Luke 7:29 Or judgment
  7. Luke 7:30 Or God’s decision in their case
  8. Luke 7:30 Lit. him