John the Baptist’s Faith

Luke 7:18-35

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B. The Answer (Luke 7:22-23)

“And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM. “And blessed is he who keeps from stumbling over Me”” (Luke 7:22-23).

Keep in mind of the things spoken earlier in Luke about John the Baptist. He had a special birth, a remarkable ministry but sudden imprisonment. This will help us understand this passage.

• What is the significance of what Jesus said in 7:22?

• Why might Jesus have added verse 23? “Blessed is he who keeps from stumbling over Me.”

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C. The Comments of Christ (Luke 7:24-35)

“And when the messengers of John had left, He began to speak to the multitudes about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? “But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are splendidly clothed and live in luxury are found in royal palaces. “But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and one who is more than a prophet. “This is the one about whom it is written, ‘BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER BEFORE YOUR FACE, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.’ “I say to you, among those born of women, there is no one greater than John; yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” And when all the people and the tax-gatherers heard this, they acknowledged God’s justice, having been baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by John. “To what then shall I compare the men of this generation, and what are they like? “They are like children who sit in the market place and call to one another; and they say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’ “For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine; and you say, ‘He has a demon!’ “The Son of Man has come eating and drinking; and you say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man, and a drunkard, a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners!’ “Yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children”” (Luke 7:24-35). [Luke 7:27 is from Malachi 3:1].

Jesus spoke now to His disciples after John’s messengers had left. Jesus’ comments greatly differed from what He said to John’s disciples.

• What does Jesus tell the crowd? Did they know about John the Baptist?

• In Jesus’ explanation, He points out two different responses to John’s message. Explain each position and who took these stands.

Positive (7:29)

Negative (7:30-34)

• What does Jesus’ closing words, “Yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children” mean?