Luke 7:19 – “He sent them to the Lord to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?'”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
In this verse, John the Baptist, who is in prison, sends two of his disciples to ask Jesus a direct and profound question: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” This question may seem surprising since John had previously declared that Jesus was the Lamb of God (John 1:29). However, John’s current circumstances—being imprisoned and unable to witness firsthand what Jesus is doing—likely led him to seek reassurance.
John’s question reflects the tension between human expectations and God’s plan. Like many Jews of that time, John may have expected the Messiah to bring political deliverance and judgment. But Jesus’ mission didn’t involve overthrowing Rome; instead, He was healing the sick, raising the dead, and teaching about God’s kingdom in ways that didn’t fully match the common understanding of the Messiah. John’s question is not one of unbelief, but of seeking clarity about how Jesus’ mission fits into God’s larger plan.
Historical Context
John the Baptist had been preaching a message of repentance and preparation for the coming of the Messiah. He baptized people in the Jordan River and called them to turn away from sin. He had boldly confronted Herod Antipas for his immoral marriage, which eventually led to John being imprisoned (Luke 3:19-20).
At that time, many Jews expected the Messiah to be a political leader who would free Israel from Roman oppression and restore their national independence. They believed the Messiah would bring judgment on the wicked and establish an earthly kingdom. But Jesus’ ministry didn’t fit those expectations. He was performing miracles and teaching about forgiveness, grace, and the inward transformation of the heart, not leading a political revolution. John, sitting in a prison cell, may have been wrestling with why Jesus wasn’t bringing the kind of deliverance he had expected.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights an important truth about faith: even strong believers can have moments of doubt or need reassurance. John the Baptist was a man of great faith, but even he needed confirmation in a time of uncertainty. This reminds us that doubt is not the same as unbelief. Doubt can lead us to seek deeper understanding, while unbelief rejects God altogether.
John’s question also reflects the idea that God’s plan is often different from human expectations. Jesus was the promised Messiah, but His mission wasn’t to establish a political kingdom—it was to establish God’s kingdom in the hearts of people. This demonstrates that God’s ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9) and that faith sometimes requires trusting Him even when we don’t fully understand His plan.
Literary Analysis
Luke’s inclusion of John’s question shows the humanity of faith. By including this moment of uncertainty from someone as important as John the Baptist, Luke emphasizes that even the most faithful can have questions. This is consistent with Luke’s theme of highlighting the personal journeys of individuals as they encounter Jesus.
The directness of John’s question—“Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”—reflects the urgency of the moment. John is not asking casually; he is seeking a definitive answer. The phrase “the one who is to come” is a Messianic title, showing that John still believes in the promise of the Messiah, but he needs confirmation that Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise.
Biblical Cross-References
- John 1:29 – John declares Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
- Isaiah 35:4-6 – A prophecy about the Messiah healing the blind, deaf, and lame, which Jesus fulfills.
- Luke 3:16-17 – John speaks about the coming of the Messiah, who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.
- Matthew 28:17 – Even after the resurrection, some of Jesus’ disciples experienced doubt, showing that doubt is part of the faith journey.
- Isaiah 55:8-9 – God’s ways are higher than human ways, emphasizing that His plan often looks different from what we expect.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a reminder that it’s okay to have questions and seek understanding when we face doubts. Like John, we may have moments when we wonder why God’s plan isn’t unfolding the way we expected. But instead of turning away from God, we should follow John’s example and take our questions directly to Jesus.
This verse also teaches us to trust in God’s timing and purpose, even when it’s different from what we anticipated. God’s plan is always for our good, even when we don’t understand it fully. By seeking Jesus and staying grounded in His word, we can find the reassurance we need.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is shown in how He responds to our doubts and questions. When John sends his disciples to Jesus, Jesus doesn’t rebuke John or criticize him for asking. Instead, He responds with compassion and provides evidence of His identity by pointing to the miracles He is performing (Luke 7:22). This shows that God understands our struggles and lovingly reassures us when we seek Him.
God’s love is also reflected in the fact that His plan is not limited by human expectations. While John may have expected political deliverance, God’s love is greater than that—He sent Jesus to bring eternal salvation, not just temporary relief from oppression.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse connects directly to the identity and mission of Jesus. By asking if Jesus is “the one who is to come,” John is pointing to the hope and expectation of the Messiah. Jesus’ response to John’s question (in the following verses) confirms that He is indeed the fulfillment of God’s promise.
Jesus didn’t come to meet human expectations—He came to fulfill God’s plan of salvation. His ministry of healing, teaching, and ultimately dying on the cross demonstrates that He is the promised Savior. His resurrection confirms that He is the One through whom all of God’s promises are fulfilled (2 Corinthians 1:20).
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Have you ever experienced a time when you had questions about God’s plan or timing? How did you seek answers?
- How does John’s example encourage you to bring your doubts and questions to Jesus instead of hiding them?
- What expectations do you have of God that may be limiting your ability to trust in His plan?
- How can you remind yourself of God’s faithfulness when you feel uncertain about what He is doing in your life?
- How does understanding that Jesus’ mission was spiritual, not political, change the way you view His work in your life today?
Luke 7:19 reminds us that faith is not about having all the answers—it’s about seeking the truth and trusting Jesus to reveal what we need to know. Like John the Baptist, we can ask questions, seek clarity, and trust that Jesus will provide the answers in His perfect timing.