The Meaning of Luke 7:19 Explained

Luke 7:19

KJV: 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?

YLT: and John having called near a certain two of his disciples, sent unto Jesus, saying, 'Art thou he who is coming, or for another do we look?'

Darby: and John, having called two of his disciples, sent to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that is coming, or are we to wait for another?

ASV: And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to the Lord, saying, Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  John  calling  [unto him] two  of his  disciples  sent  [them] to  Jesus,  saying,  Art  thou  he that should come?  or  look we for  {5725} another? 

What does Luke 7:19 Mean?

Context Summary

Luke 7:11-23 - "god Hath Visited His People"
Nain lay near the plain of Esdraelon, on the slopes of Little Hermon. Two confluent streams met there-those with Christ and those with death, Luke 7:11-12. He wipes away tears by removing the cause. When the young are being borne by their young companions to graves of sin, it is thus that the Master arrests them. See Ephesians 5:14. There was a threefold gradation in the power He put forth-to Jairus' daughter, just dead; to this young man, on the way to burial; and to Lazarus, who was three days dead. The depression from John's long confinement in the gloomy fortress of Machaerus, east of the Dead Sea, and the fact that Jesus had not sent to deliver him, were the double root of this sad lapse from the position taken up on the Jordan bank, when he recognized and indicated the Lamb of God. But our Lord did not chide; He understood, Psalms 103:9. His miracles of mercy and power are His best evidences, and He left John to draw his own conclusions, Isaiah 35:5-6. May ours be the blessedness of the un-offended, who will trust Christ, even though He does not hasten to deliver them just as they had hoped! [source]

Chapter Summary: Luke 7

1  Jesus finds a greater faith in the centurion;
10  heals his servant, being absent;
11  raises from death the widow's son at Nain;
18  answers John's messengers with the declaration of his miracles;
24  testifies to the people what opinion he held of John;
31  compares this generation to the children in the marketplaces,
36  and allowing his feet to be washed and anointed by a woman who was a sinner,
44  he shows how he is a friend to sinners, to forgive them their sins, upon their repentance

Greek Commentary for Luke 7:19

Calling unto him [προσκαλεσαμενος]
First aorist middle (indirect) participle. [source]
Two [δυο τινας]
Certain two. Not in Matthew 11:2.Saying (λεγων — legōn). John saying by the two messengers. The message is given precisely alike in Matthew 11:3, which see note. In both we have ετερον — heteron for “another,” either a second or a different kind. In Luke 7:20 Westcott and Hort read αλλον — allon in the text, ετερον — heteron in the margin. Προσδοκωμεν — Prosdokōmen may be present indicative or present subjunctive (deliberative), the same contract form (αο ω αω ω — ao =ō aō ō). [source]
Saying [λεγων]
John saying by the two messengers. The message is given precisely alike in Matthew 11:3, which see note. In both we have ετερον — heteron for “another,” either a second or a different kind. In Luke 7:20 Westcott and Hort read αλλον — allon in the text, ετερον — heteron in the margin. Προσδοκωμεν — Prosdokōmen may be present indicative or present subjunctive (deliberative), the same contract form (αο ω αω ω — ao =ō aō ō). [source]
Two [δύο πινὰς]
Lit., two certain ones. Rev., in margin,certain two. [source]
Art thou []
The thou is emphatic. See on Matthew 11:3. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 7:19

Matthew 11:2 John heard in the prison [ο δε Ιωανης ακουσας εν τωι δεσμωτηριωι]
Probably (Luke 7:18) the raising of the son of the widow of Nain. The word for prison here is the place where one was kept bound (Acts 5:21, Acts 5:23; Acts 16:26). See note on Matthew 4:12. It was in Machaerus east of the Dead Sea which at this time belonged to the rule of Herod Antipas (Jos. Ant. XVIII. v.2). John‘s disciples had access to him. So he sent word by (δια — dia not δυο — duo as in Luke 7:19) them to Jesus. [source]
John 1:21 And they asked him [και ηρωτησαν αυτον]
Here the paratactic και — kai is like the transitional ουν — oun (then). What then? Argumentative ουν — oun like Paul‘s τι ουν — ti oun in Romans 6:15. Quid ergo? Art thou Elijah? The next inevitable question since Elijah had been understood to be the forerunner of the Messiah from Malachi 4:5. In Mark 9:11. Jesus will identify John with the Elijah of Malachi‘s prophecy. Why then does John here flatly deny it? Because the expectation was that Elijah would return in person. This John denies. Jesus only asserts that John was Elijah in spirit. Elijah in person they had just seen on the Mount of Transfiguration. He saith Vivid dramatic present. I am not Short and blunt denial. Art thou the prophet? “The prophet art thou?” This question followed naturally the previous denials. Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15) had spoken of a prophet like unto himself. Christians interpreted this prophet to be the Messiah (Acts 3:22; Acts 7:37), but the Jews thought him another forerunner of the Messiah (John 7:40). It is not clear in John 6:15 whether the people identified the expected prophet with the Messiah, though apparently so. Even the Baptist later became puzzled in prison whether Jesus himself was the true Messiah or just one of the forerunners (Luke 7:19). People wondered about Jesus himself whether he was the Messiah or just one of the looked for prophets (Mark 8:28; Matthew 16:14). And he answered First aorist passive (deponent passive, sense of voice gone) indicative of αποκρινομαι — apokrinomai to give a decision from myself, to reply. No Shortest possible denial. [source]
John 16:13 Howbeit [δε]
One of the most delicate and difficult particles to translate, varying from “and” to “but.” When he, the Spirit of truth, is come Indefinite relative clause (ερχομαι — hotan and the second aorist active subjunctive of εκεινος — erchomai no futurum exactum), “whenever he comes.” Note πνευμα — ekeinos (masculine demonstrative pronoun, though followed by neuter οδηγησει υμας — pneuma in apposition. See John 15:26 for this phrase about the Holy Spirit. He shall guide you (οδηγεω — hodēgēsei humas). Future active of old verb οδηγος — hodēgeō (from οδος — hodēgos from ηγεομαι — hodos way, οδηγησον με εις την αλητειαν σου — hēgeomai to lead). See Psalm 24:5 for “lead me into thy truth” (απ εαυτου — hodēgēson me eis tēn alētheian sou). Christ is both the Way and the Truth (John 14:6) and the Holy Spirit is the Guide who shows the way to the Truth (John 16:14). This he does gradually. We are still learning the truth in Christ. From himself (αναγγελει — aph' heautou). In this he is like Christ (John 1:26; John 12:49; John 14:10). He shall declare (αναγγελλω — anaggelei). Future active of τα ερχομενα — anaggellō as in John 4:25. See it also repeated in John 16:14. The things that are yet to come (ερχομαι — ta erchomena). Neuter plural articular participle of ο ερχομενος — erchomai “the coming things.” This phrase only here in the N.T. The things already begun concerning the work of the Kingdom (Luke 7:19.; Luke 18:30) not a chart of future history. See Luke 7:20; John 6:14; John 11:27 for ho erchomenos (the coming one) used of the Messiah. [source]
John 3:30 Must [δει]
It has to be (see John 3:14). He is to go on growing (present active infinitive αυχανειν — auxanein) while I go on decreasing (present passive infinitive ελαττουσται — elattousthai from comparative ελαττων — elattōn less). These are the last words that we have from John till the despondent message from the dungeon in Machaerus whether Jesus is after all the Messiah (Matthew 11:2; Luke 7:19). He went on to imprisonment, suspense, martyrdom, while Jesus grew in popular favour till he had his via dolorosa. “These last words of St. John are the fulness of religious sacrifice and fitly close his work” (Westcott). [source]
John 16:13 When he, the Spirit of truth, is come [οταν ελτηι εκεινοσ το πνευμα της αλητειας]
Indefinite relative clause (ερχομαι — hotan and the second aorist active subjunctive of εκεινος — erchomai no futurum exactum), “whenever he comes.” Note πνευμα — ekeinos (masculine demonstrative pronoun, though followed by neuter οδηγησει υμας — pneuma in apposition. See John 15:26 for this phrase about the Holy Spirit. He shall guide you (οδηγεω — hodēgēsei humas). Future active of old verb οδηγος — hodēgeō (from οδος — hodēgos from ηγεομαι — hodos way, οδηγησον με εις την αλητειαν σου — hēgeomai to lead). See Psalm 24:5 for “lead me into thy truth” (απ εαυτου — hodēgēson me eis tēn alētheian sou). Christ is both the Way and the Truth (John 14:6) and the Holy Spirit is the Guide who shows the way to the Truth (John 16:14). This he does gradually. We are still learning the truth in Christ. From himself (αναγγελει — aph' heautou). In this he is like Christ (John 1:26; John 12:49; John 14:10). He shall declare (αναγγελλω — anaggelei). Future active of τα ερχομενα — anaggellō as in John 4:25. See it also repeated in John 16:14. The things that are yet to come (ερχομαι — ta erchomena). Neuter plural articular participle of ο ερχομενος — erchomai “the coming things.” This phrase only here in the N.T. The things already begun concerning the work of the Kingdom (Luke 7:19.; Luke 18:30) not a chart of future history. See Luke 7:20; John 6:14; John 11:27 for ho erchomenos (the coming one) used of the Messiah. [source]
Acts 19:1 Having passed through the upper country [διελτοντα τα ανωτερικα μερη]
Second aorist active participle of διερχομαι — dierchomai accusative case agreeing with Παυλον — Paulon accusative of general reference with the infinitive ελτειν — elthein idiomatic construction with εγενετο — egeneto The word for “upper” Instead he took the more direct road through the Cayster Valley to Ephesus. Codex Bezae says here that Paul wanted to go back to Jerusalem, but that the Holy Spirit bade him to go into Asia where he had been forbidden to go in the second tour (Acts 16:6). Whether the upper “parts” The province of Asia included the western part of Asia Minor. The Romans took this country b.c. 130. Finally the name was extended to the whole continent. It was a jewel in the Roman empire along with Africa and was a senatorial province. It was full of great cities like Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea (the seven churches of Rev. 2;3), Colossae, Hierapolis, Apamea, to go no further. Hellenism had full sway here. Ephesus was the capital and chief city and was a richer and larger city than Corinth. It was located at the entrance to the valley of the Maeander to the east. Here was the power of Rome and the splendour of Greek culture and the full tide of oriental superstition and magic. The Temple of Artemis was one of the seven wonders of the world. While in Ephesus some hold that Paul at this time wrote the Epistle to the Galatians after his recent visit there, some that he did it before his recent visit to Jerusalem. But it is still possible that he wrote it from Corinth just before writing to Rome, a point to discuss later. Certain disciples (τινας ματητας — tinas mathētas). Who were they? Apollos had already gone to Corinth. They show no connection with Priscilla and Aquila. Luke calls them “disciples” or “learners” (ματητας — mathētas) because they were evidently sincere though crude and ignorant. There is no reason at all for connecting these uninformed disciples of the Baptist with Apollos. They were floating followers of the Baptist who drifted into Ephesus and whom Paul found. Some of John‘s disciples clung to him till his death (John 3:22-25; Luke 7:19; Matthew 14:12). Some of them left Palestine without the further knowledge of Jesus that came after his death and some did not even know that, as turned out to be the case with the group in Ephesus. [source]
Acts 23:23 Two [τινας δυο]
“Some two” as in Luke 7:19, indicating (Page) that they were not specially chosen. [source]
1 John 5:6 He that came [ὁ ἐλθὼν]
Referring to the historic fact. See Matthew 11:3; Luke 7:19; John 1:15, John 1:27. Compare, for the form of expression, John 1:33; John 3:13. [source]

What do the individual words in Luke 7:19 mean?

And having called near two certain - disciples of him - John sent [them] to the Lord saying You are the coming [One] or another are we to look for
καὶ προσκαλεσάμενος δύο τινὰς τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ Ἰωάννης ἔπεμψεν πρὸς τὸν Κύριον λέγων Σὺ εἶ ἐρχόμενος ἄλλον προσδοκῶμεν

προσκαλεσάμενος  having  called  near 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Middle, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: προσκαλέω  
Sense: to call to.
δύο  two 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: δύο 
Sense: the two, the twain.
τινὰς  certain 
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: τὶς  
Sense: a certain, a certain one.
τῶν  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
μαθητῶν  disciples 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: μαθητής  
Sense: a learner, pupil, disciple.
αὐτοῦ  of  him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Ἰωάννης  John 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Ἰωάννης 
Sense: John the Baptist was the son of Zacharias and Elisabeth, the forerunner of Christ.
ἔπεμψεν  sent  [them] 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: πέμπω  
Sense: to send.
Κύριον  Lord 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: κύριος  
Sense: he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord.
λέγων  saying 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.
ἐρχόμενος  coming  [One] 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἔρχομαι  
Sense: to come.
ἄλλον  another 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ἄλλος  
Sense: another, other.
προσδοκῶμεν  are  we  to  look  for 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Plural
Root: προσδοκάω  
Sense: to expect (whether in thought, in hope, or in fear).