How does Luke 7:20 affirm Jesus' identity as the awaited Messiah? Setting the Scene – John the Baptist, now imprisoned, sends two disciples to Jesus. – Their purpose: deliver the direct, loaded question recorded in Luke 7:20. “John the Baptist sent us to ask, ‘Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?’” Why This Question Carries So Much Weight – “The One who was to come” echoes Old Testament messianic promise (Psalm 118:26; Malachi 3:1; Isaiah 35:4–6). – John had already proclaimed Jesus “the Lamb of God” (John 1:29), yet imprisonment tests his disciples’ certainty. – By framing the question so publicly, John provides a platform for Jesus to declare (and demonstrate) His identity. Messianic Echoes Packed into the Phrase 1. “The One” = the long-anticipated Seed (Genesis 3:15), Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15), Son of David (2 Samuel 7:12-16). 2. “Who was to come” points to continuous expectation in Israel’s worship and prophecy (Psalm 40:7; Isaiah 9:6). 3. Implication: there is no third option—either Jesus is Messiah, or hope must shift elsewhere. How Luke 7:20 Affirms Jesus’ Identity • The act of asking Jesus directly places Him at the center of messianic expectation—no rival candidates noted. • By accepting the question, Jesus implicitly accepts the role under scrutiny; He does not deflect or deny. • The very wording “the One” presumes uniqueness; the disciples would not ask such a question of an ordinary rabbi. Immediate Confirmation in the Surrounding Verses – Verse 21: “At that very time Jesus cured many… and gave sight to many who were blind.” – Verse 22: Jesus replies, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: • “The blind receive sight, • the lame walk, • the lepers are cleansed, • the deaf hear, • the dead are raised, • and the gospel is preached to the poor.” These deeds mirror Isaiah 35:5-6; 61:1—prophecies of Messiah’s era—providing visible, scriptural proof. Old-Testament Checkpoints • Isaiah 35:4-6—miracles of sight, hearing, mobility. • Isaiah 61:1—good news to the poor. • Psalm 146:8—“The LORD opens the eyes of the blind.” Jesus performs exactly what the LORD was foretold to do, thereby identifying Himself with Yahweh’s saving work. John the Baptist’s Role Strengthens the Case – Malachi 3:1 predicts a forerunner; Jesus affirms John as that messenger (Luke 7:27). – If John fulfills his prophetic role, the One he heralds must likewise fulfill messianic prophecy—Jesus. Take-Home Truths • Luke 7:20 places the messianic question squarely before Jesus, allowing no ambiguity. • Jesus responds not with mere words but with Isaiah-fulfilling works—living verification. • The Scripture’s seamless alignment—prophecy, John’s witness, Jesus’ miracles—confirms Him as the awaited Messiah beyond reasonable doubt. |
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