How does Jesus' response in Luke 7:20 connect to Old Testament prophecies? Setting the Scene in Luke 7 • Luke 7:20: “When the men came to Jesus, they said, ‘John the Baptist sent us to ask, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?”’” • John’s question echoed centuries of longing for the promised “Coming One” (Malachi 3:1; Psalm 118:26). • Jesus answers in vv. 22-23 by pointing to observable works rather than giving a simple “yes.” Jesus’ Answer and the Prophetic Checklist Luke 7:22-23: “So He replied, ‘Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: • the blind receive sight, • the lame walk, • lepers are cleansed, • the deaf hear, • the dead are raised, • and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the one who does not fall away on account of Me.’” Every item on Jesus’ list matches an Old Testament promise describing the Messiah’s era: • Blind see → Isaiah 29:18; 35:5 • Lame walk → Isaiah 35:6 • Lepers cleansed (general healing) → Isaiah 53:4; 61:1 • Deaf hear → Isaiah 29:18; 35:5 • Dead raised → Isaiah 26:19; Hosea 13:14 • Gospel to the poor → Isaiah 61:1-2 (also cited by Jesus in Luke 4:18-19) Key Old Testament Passages Behind Jesus’ Words • Isaiah 29:18-19: “On that day the deaf will hear the words of a scroll, and out of the deep darkness the eyes of the blind will see. The humble will increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.” • Isaiah 35:5-6: “Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing.” • Isaiah 61:1-2: “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor… to comfort all who mourn.” • Isaiah 26:19: “Your dead will live; their bodies will rise.” • Malachi 3:1: “Behold, I will send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord you seek will suddenly come to His temple.” How the Connections Work • Jesus stitches together multiple Isaianic promises, presenting them as fulfilled events rather than distant hopes. • By spotlighting physical miracles and gospel proclamation, He shows that the kingdom’s arrival is holistic—spiritual and bodily restoration in one package. • The list answers John’s question without direct self-promotion; Scripture itself becomes the witness. Why These Prophecies Matter • They verify Jesus’ identity: only the promised Messiah could fulfill such a diverse cluster of signs. • They comfort doubters: even a prophet like John needed reassurance, and Jesus graciously provided tangible evidence rooted in Scripture. • They highlight continuity: the New Testament is not a break from the Old but the flowering of its promises (2 Corinthians 1:20). Takeaways for Today • Jesus invites us to examine His works in light of God’s Word; faith is anchored in facts foretold and fulfilled. • The same Messiah who opened blind eyes then still transforms lives now, assuring us that every remaining promise will likewise come to pass. |
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