Luke 7:22
So He replied, "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 good news is preached to the poor.
So He replied
This phrase indicates a direct response from Jesus, emphasizing His authority and intentionality in addressing the question posed by John the Baptist's disciples. The Greek word for "replied" (ἀποκρίνομαι, apokrinomai) suggests a thoughtful and deliberate answer, underscoring the importance of the message that follows. In the context of first-century Judea, a reply from a rabbi or teacher carried significant weight, often seen as a definitive teaching moment.

Go back and report to John
Here, Jesus instructs the messengers to return to John the Baptist with a specific message. The directive "Go back" (πορεύομαι, poreuomai) implies a journey or mission, highlighting the importance of the task. The word "report" (ἀπαγγέλλω, apaggellō) means to announce or declare, indicating that the message is not just for John’s information but is a proclamation of truth. This reflects the practice of messengers in ancient times who were entrusted with conveying critical information accurately.

what you have seen and heard
This phrase emphasizes the empirical evidence of Jesus' ministry. The words "seen" (ὁράω, horaō) and "heard" (ἀκούω, akouō) point to the tangible and audible experiences of the messengers. In the Jewish tradition, witnessing was a crucial aspect of establishing truth, as seen in Deuteronomy 19:15, which requires two or three witnesses to confirm a matter. Jesus appeals to this tradition, providing a solid foundation for His messianic identity.

The blind receive sight
This miraculous act fulfills the messianic prophecy found in Isaiah 35:5, which speaks of the eyes of the blind being opened. The Greek word for "receive sight" (ἀναβλέπω, anablepō) means to look up or regain sight, symbolizing not only physical healing but also spiritual enlightenment. In the historical context, blindness was often seen as a metaphor for spiritual ignorance, and Jesus' healing acts as a sign of His divine authority to bring light to a darkened world.

the lame walk
This miracle also aligns with Isaiah 35:6, where the lame are said to leap like a deer. The Greek word for "walk" (περιπατέω, peripateō) implies not just the ability to move but to live and conduct one's life. In a society where physical disability often led to marginalization, Jesus' healing of the lame signifies restoration and inclusion, reflecting the kingdom of God’s values of wholeness and community.

those with leprosy are cleansed
Leprosy, a term used for various skin diseases, rendered individuals ceremonially unclean according to Levitical law (Leviticus 13-14). The Greek word for "cleansed" (καθαρίζω, katharizō) means to purify or make clean, indicating both physical healing and spiritual restoration. Jesus' cleansing of lepers demonstrates His power over impurity and His role in restoring individuals to both health and community.

the deaf hear
This miracle fulfills Isaiah 29:18, where the ears of the deaf are unstopped. The Greek word for "hear" (ἀκούω, akouō) signifies not only the physical ability to hear but also the capacity to understand and respond. In the biblical context, hearing is often associated with obedience and faith, as seen in Romans 10:17, where faith comes by hearing the word of Christ.

the dead are raised
Raising the dead is the ultimate demonstration of Jesus' divine power and authority over life and death. The Greek word for "raised" (ἐγείρω, egeirō) means to awaken or lift up, symbolizing resurrection and new life. This act prefigures Jesus' own resurrection and serves as a powerful testament to His identity as the Son of God, who has the power to grant eternal life.

and the good news is proclaimed to the poor
The proclamation of the "good news" (εὐαγγελίζω, euangelizō) to the poor fulfills Isaiah 61:1, where the anointed one brings good tidings to the afflicted. The term "poor" (πτωχός, ptōchos) refers not only to those lacking material wealth but also to the spiritually humble and needy. Jesus' ministry prioritizes the marginalized, emphasizing the inclusivity of the gospel and the kingdom of God, where the last shall be first (Matthew 20:16).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The central figure in this passage, performing miracles and fulfilling Messianic prophecies.

2. John the Baptist
The forerunner of Christ, who is in prison and sends his disciples to inquire about Jesus' identity.

3. Disciples of John
Messengers sent by John to ask Jesus if He is the expected Messiah.

4. The Miracles
Specific acts of healing and resurrection that Jesus performs, demonstrating His divine authority.

5. The Poor
Recipients of the good news, highlighting Jesus' mission to reach the marginalized and oppressed.
Teaching Points
Fulfillment of Prophecy
Jesus' actions confirm His identity as the Messiah, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies. Believers can trust in the reliability of God's Word and His promises.

Compassionate Ministry
Jesus' miracles demonstrate His compassion and concern for physical and spiritual needs. Christians are called to emulate this compassion in their own lives.

The Good News for All
The gospel is preached to the poor, emphasizing that the message of salvation is for everyone, regardless of social or economic status. Believers should ensure that their outreach is inclusive.

Faith in Action
The miracles serve as a testament to the power of faith and the reality of God's kingdom breaking into the world. Christians are encouraged to live out their faith actively, trusting in God's power.

Responding to Doubt
John the Baptist's inquiry shows that even strong believers can experience doubt. Jesus' response provides assurance through evidence of His works, teaching us to seek truth in times of uncertainty.
Bible Study Questions
1. How do the miracles listed in Luke 7:22 serve as evidence of Jesus' identity as the Messiah?

2. In what ways can we, as modern believers, demonstrate the compassion of Christ in our communities?

3. How does the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus' ministry strengthen your faith in the reliability of Scripture?

4. What are some practical ways to ensure that the gospel message reaches the marginalized and poor in today's society?

5. How can we address and overcome doubts in our faith journey, following the example of John the Baptist and Jesus' response?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 35:5-6
This Old Testament prophecy speaks of the coming of the Messiah, who will open the eyes of the blind and unstop the ears of the deaf, directly correlating with the miracles Jesus performs.

Isaiah 61:1
This passage prophesies the anointed one bringing good news to the poor, which Jesus fulfills in His ministry.

Matthew 11:4-5
A parallel account of this event, reinforcing the message and the fulfillment of prophecy.

Acts 10:38
Describes Jesus' ministry of doing good and healing, empowered by the Holy Spirit, which aligns with the works mentioned in Luke 7:22.
The Leprosy of SinW. Clarkson Luke 7:22
The Deputation from JohnR.M. Edgar Luke 7:18-35
A Preacher to the PoorLuke 7:19-22
Christ is the Dispeller of DoubtDr. Cuyler.Luke 7:19-22
Christianity and the PoorC. H. Spurgeon.Luke 7:19-22
Christ's WorksG. Brooks.Luke 7:19-22
Devotion to Christ a Cure for DespondencyDr. Cuyler.Luke 7:19-22
Human Goodness and the Permanency of the GospelW. Clarkson Luke 7:19-22
Inactivity a Cause of DoubtF. W. Robertson, M. A.Luke 7:19-22
John's Doubting Message to JesusA. B. Bruce, D. D.Luke 7:19-22
Looking for Another ChristR. W. Dale, D. D.Luke 7:19-22
Moral Evidence of Christianity Superior to MiraclesJ. Harris, D. D.Luke 7:19-22
The Answer of Jesus to JohnBishop Moorhouse.Luke 7:19-22
The Gospel Preached to the PoorN. Paterson.Luke 7:19-22
The Message of John the BaptistCanon T. D. Bernard.Luke 7:19-22
The Soul Dependent on Physical ConditionsDr. Talmage.Luke 7:19-22
The Suitability of the Gospel to the PoorG. Brooks.Luke 7:19-22
The Test of ChristianityE. W. Shalders, BA.Luke 7:19-22
Trophies of the Work of ChristC. H. Spurgeon.Luke 7:19-22
People
Jesus, John, Simon
Places
Capernaum, Galilee, Judea, Nain
Topics
Answering, Blind, Bring, Clean, Cleansed, Cured, Dead, Deaf, Ears, Evangelized, Gospel, Hearing, John, Lame, Legs, Lepers, Leprosy, Messengers, News, Open, Persons, Poor, Power, Preached, Proclaimed, Purified, Raised, Receive, Report, Sight, Tidings, Walk, Walking
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Luke 7:22

     2066   Christ, power of
     2081   Christ, wisdom
     2363   Christ, preaching and teaching
     2377   kingdom of God, entry into
     5147   deafness
     5149   eyes
     5159   hearing
     5162   lameness
     5278   cripples
     5449   poverty, remedies
     9140   last days
     9310   resurrection
     9311   resurrection, of Christ

Luke 7:18-22

     7755   preaching, importance

Luke 7:18-23

     2206   Jesus, the Christ
     8105   assurance, basis of

Luke 7:18-25

     5098   John the Baptist

Luke 7:19-22

     2345   Christ, kingdom of

Luke 7:20-22

     1416   miracles, nature of

Luke 7:21-22

     5134   blindness, natural

Luke 7:21-23

     5296   disabilities

Luke 7:22-23

     2333   Christ, attitude to OT

Library
June 10 Evening
As Christ forgave you, so also do ye.--COL. 3:13. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both.--I forgave thee all that debt; shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on thee? When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive,
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

Greatness in the Kingdom
'He that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.'--LUKE vii. 28. We were speaking in a preceding sermon about the elements of true greatness, as represented in the life and character of John the Baptist. As we remarked then, our Lord poured unstinted eulogium upon the head of John, in the audience of the people, at the very moment when he showed himself weakest. 'None born of women' was, in Christ's eyes, 'greater than John the Baptist.' The eulogium, authoritative as it was, was immediately
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Thwarting God's Purpose
'The Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of Him.' --LUKE vii. 30. Our Lord has just been pouring unstinted praise on the head of John the Baptist. The eulogium was tenderly timed, for it followed, and was occasioned by the expression, through messengers, of John's doubts of Christ's Messiahship. Lest these should shake the people's confidence in the Forerunner, and make them think of him as weak and shifting, Christ speaks of him in the glowing
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

A Gluttonous Man and a Winebibber
'The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!'--LUKE vii. 34. Jesus Christ very seldom took any notice of the mists of calumny that drifted round Him. 'When He was reviled He reviled not again.' If ever He did allude to them it was for the sake of the people who were harming themselves by uttering them. So here, without the slightest trace of irritation, He quotes a malignant charge which was evidently in the
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Worthy-Not Worthy
'... They besought Him ... saying, That he was worthy for whom He should do this:... 6. I am not worthy that Thou shouldest enter under my roof: 7. Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto Thee....' --LUKE vii. 4. 6. 7. A Roman centurion, who could induce the elders of a Jewish village to approach Jesus on his behalf, must have been a remarkable person. The garrison which held down a turbulent people was not usually likely to be much loved by them. But this man, about whom the incident
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Go into Peace
'And He said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee: go in peace.'--LUKE vii. 50. We find that our Lord twice, and twice only, employs this form of sending away those who had received benefits from His hand. On both occasions the words were addressed to women: once to this woman, who was a sinner, and who was gibbeted by the contempt of the Pharisee in whose house the Lord was; and once to that poor sufferer who stretched out a wasted hand to lay upon the hem of His garment, in the hope of getting
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Jesus at the Bier
'And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. 14. And He came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And He said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 15. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And He delivered him to his mother.'--LUKE vii. 13-15. We owe our knowledge of this incident to Luke only. He is the Evangelist who specially delights in recording the gracious relations of our Lord with women, and he is also the Evangelist who
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

John's Doubts and Christ's Praise
'And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things. 19. And John calling unto him two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou He that should come? or look we for another? 20. When the men were come unto Him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto Thee, saying, Art Thou He that should come? or look we for another? 21. And in the same hour He cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind He gave sight. 22. Then Jesus, answering,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

The Two Debtors
'There was a certain creditor which had two debtors; the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell Me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43. Simon answered and said, I suppose that he to whom he forgave most.'--LUKE vii.41-43. We all know the lovely story in which this parable is embedded. A woman of notoriously bad character had somehow come in contact with Jesus Christ, and had by Him been aroused from her
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Forgiveness and Love.
TEXT: LUKE vii. 36-50. HOWEVER much admiration and honour was given to our Saviour by many of His contemporaries during His life on earth; however powerfully a yet greater number were struck, at least for the moment, by His exalted character; still just His greatest words and His noblest deeds often remained dark even to the noblest and best around Him, and seemed to the rest a piece of insolent pretension. When He spoke of His eternal relation to the Eternal Father, even His more intimate disciples
Friedrich Schleiermacher—Selected Sermons of Schleiermacher

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke vii. 2, Etc. ; on the Three Dead Persons whom the Lord Raised.
1. The miracles of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ make indeed an impression on all who hear of, and believe them; but on different men in different ways. For some amazed at His miracles done on the bodies of men, have no knowledge to discern the greater; whereas some admire the more ample fulfilment in the souls of men at the present time of those things which they hear of as having been wrought on their bodies. The Lord Himself saith, "For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them;
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke vii. 37, "And Behold, a Woman who was in the City, a Sinner," Etc. On the Remission of Sins,
1. Since I believe that it is the will of God that I should speak to you on the subject whereof we are now reminded by the words of the Lord out of the Holy Scriptures, I will by His assistance deliver to you, Beloved, a Sermon touching the remission of sins. For when the Gospel was being read, ye gave most earnest heed, and the story was reported, and represented before the eyes of your heart. For ye saw, not with the body, but with the mind, the Lord Jesus Christ "sitting at meat in the Pharisee's
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

On Dress
"Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of -- wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; "But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." 1 Pet. 3:3, 4. 1. St. Paul exhorts all those who desire to "be transformed by the renewal of their minds," and to "prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God," not to be "conformed to this world." [Rom. 12:2]
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

Saving Faith
I. WHAT WAS IT THAT SAVED the two persons whose history we are about to consider? In the penitent woman's case, her great sins were forgiven her and she became a woman of extraordinary love: she loved much, for she had much forgiven. I feel, in thinking of her, something like an eminent father of the church who said, "This narrative is not one which I can well preach upon; I had far rather weep over it in secret." That woman's tears, that woman's unbraided tresses wiping the Saviour's feet, her coming
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 20: 1874

A Gracious Dismissal
THE main part of my subject will be--that gracious dismissal, "Go in peace." To her who had been so lately blest, the word "Go" sounded mournfully; for she would fain have remained through life with her pardoning Lord; but the added words "in peace" turned the wormwood into honey--there was now peace for her who had been so long hunted and harried by her sins. Rising from the feet she had washed with tears, she went forth to keep her future footsteps such as those of a believing, and therefore saved,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

Go in Peace
"And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace."--Luke 7:50. THERE appear to have been four stages in Christ's dealing with this woman. I know not what had preceded the narrative as we have it recorded in this chapter; I need not enter into that question now. There had, doubtless, been a work of the Spirit of God upon that woman's heart, turning her from her sin to her Saviour; but when she stood at our Master's feet, raining tears of penitence upon them, wiping them with the hairs
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 48: 1902

Liii. The Contemplation of Death.
16th Sunday after Trinity. S. Luke vii. 12. "Behold, there was a dead man carried out." INTRODUCTION.--The name of the village where the miracle was wrought which is recorded in this day's Gospel, was Nain, and the meaning of the name is "Pleasant" or "Beautiful." A sweet little village, you can picture it to yourself where you like, in the East, anywhere in Europe, here in England, it is all the same, an "Auburn" among villages, with thatched cottages, and green pastures, and the cows coming home
S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent

Answer to Mr. W's Third Objection.
Our author says: p. 19. By way of objection to the letter of these three miracles, Let us consider the condition of the persons raised from the dead.--Where then was his wisdom and prudence to chuse these three persons above others to that honour? p. 20. I answer, that Jesus did not ordinarily choose the subjects of his miracles, but heal'd those chiefly who earnestly implored his mercy, or who pressed on him to be healed, or importunately desired it of him by others, when they could not possibly
Nathaniel Lardner—A Vindication of Three of Our Blessed Saviour's Miracles

Justifying or Sanctifying Grace
Sanctifying grace is defined by Deharbe as "an unmerited, supernatural gift, imparted to the soul by the Holy Ghost, by which we are made just, children of God, and heirs of Heaven." As it makes sinners just, sanctifying grace is also called justifying, though this appellation can not be applied to the sanctification of our first parents in Paradise or to that of the angels and the sinless soul of Christ. Justification, as we have shown, consists in the infusion of sanctifying grace, and hence it
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual

Jesus Raises the Widow's Son.
(at Nain in Galilee.) ^C Luke VII. 11-17. ^c 11 And it came to pass soon afterwards [many ancient authorities read on the next day], that he went into a city called Nain; and his disciples went with him, and a great multitude. [We find that Jesus had been thronged with multitudes pretty continuously since the choosing of his twelve apostles. Nain lies on the northern slope of the mountain, which the Crusaders called Little Hermon, between twenty and twenty-five miles south of Capernaum, and about
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus' Feet Anointed in the House of a Pharisee.
(Galilee.) ^C Luke VII. 36-50. ^c 36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. [We learn from verse 40 that the Pharisee's name was Simon. Because the feast at Bethany was given in the house of Simon the leper, and because Jesus was anointed there also, some have been led to think that Luke is here describing this supper. See Matt. xxvi. 6-13; Mark xiv. 3-9; John xii. 1-8. But Simon the leper was not Simon the Pharisee. The name Simon was one of the most common among the Jewish
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Raising of the Young Man of Nain - the Meeting of Life and Death.
THAT early spring-tide in Galilee was surely the truest realisation of the picture in the Song of Solomon, when earth clad herself in garments of beauty, and the air was melodious with songs of new life. [2625] It seemed as if each day marked a widening circle of deepest sympathy and largest power on the part of Jesus; as if each day also brought fresh surprise, new gladness; opened hitherto unthought-of possibilities, and pointed Israel far beyond the horizon of their narrow expectancy. Yesterday
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Woman which was a Sinner
The precise date and place of the next recorded event in this Galilean journey of the Christ are left undetermined. It can scarcely have occurred in the quiet little town of Nain, indeed, is scarcely congruous with the scene which had been there enacted. And yet it must have followed almost immediately upon it. We infer this, not only from the silence of St. Matthew, which in this instance might have been due, not to the temporary detention of that Evangelist in Capernaum, while the others had followed
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

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