Luke 7:18-35

Luke 7:18-35

[18] And  the disciples  of John  shewed  him  of  all  [19] And  John  calling  unto him two  of his  disciples  sent  them to  saying,  thou  he that should come?  or  look we for  another?  [20] When  the men  were come  unto  him,  they said,  John  Baptist  hath sent  unto  saying,  thou  he that should come?  or  look we for  another?  [21] in  hour  he cured  many  of  their infirmities  and  plagues,  and  of evil  spirits;  and  unto many  that were blind  he gave  sight.  [22] Then  answering  said  unto them,  Go your way,  and tell  John  what things  and  heard;  that the blind  see,  the lame  walk,  the lepers  are cleansed,  the deaf  hear,  the dead  are raised,  to the poor  the gospel is preached.  [23] And  blessed  he, whosoever  be offended  in  [24] And  when the messengers  of John  were departed,  he began  to speak  unto  the people  concerning  John,  What  went ye out  into  the wilderness  for to see?  A reed  shaken  with  the wind?  [25] But  what  went ye out  A man  clothed  in  soft  raiment?  Behold,  they which are  gorgeously  apparelled,  and  live  delicately,  in  [26] But  what  went ye out  A prophet?  Yea,  I say  and  than a prophet.  [27] This  he, of  whom  it is written,  Behold,  send  messenger  before  face,  which  shall prepare  way  before  [28] I say  Among  those that are born  of women  not  John  but  he that is least  in  the kingdom  of God  he.  [29] And  all  the people  that heard  him, and  the publicans,  justified  God,  being baptized  with the baptism  of John.  [30] But  the Pharisees  and  lawyers  rejected  the counsel  of God  against  themselves,  not  baptized  of  him.  [31] Whereunto  then  shall I liken  the men  generation?  and  to what  like?  [32] like  unto children  sitting  in  the marketplace,  and  calling  one to another,  and  saying,  We have piped  and  not  danced;  we have mourned  and  not  wept.  [33] For  John  the Baptist  came  neither  eating  bread  nor  drinking  wine;  and  ye say,  He hath  a devil.  [34] 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!  [35] But  wisdom  is justified  of  all  her  children. 

What does Luke 7:18-35 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

It was only natural that these people had questions about who Jesus really was. Was He a prophet? Was He Elijah? Was He another former prophet? Was He "the Prophet" that Moses had predicted ( Deuteronomy 18:18)? Was He the Messiah? Was He Immanuel, "God with us" ( Isaiah 7:14)? Even John the Baptist began to have questions. On the one hand Jesus was fulfilling prophecy that indicated He was the Messiah. He was preaching righteousness, healing the sick, casting out demons, even raising the dead. However, He was not fulfilling other Messianic prophecies such as freeing the captives (John was one), judging Israel"s enemies, and restoring the Davidic dynasty to power.
Luke included much about the controversy over Jesus" identity because it authenticates Jesus" identity and strengthens the confidence of disciples in their Savior. As witnesses of Jesus Christ, Luke"s readers faced many hostile challengers of Jesus" identity. This section enables disciples to counter these challenges more effectively.