Luke 7:18

Luke 7:18, in plain English

John the Baptist, sitting in prison, heard about everything Jesus was doing through his own followers.

Why it's here

John had announced Jesus as the Coming One. But from prison, things may not have looked the way he expected.

Who's speaking

Luke describes how news reached John the Baptist in prison.

Where it sits in the story

Even prophets have moments of doubt. John had boldly pointed to Jesus, but now, imprisoned and hearing secondhand reports, he needed reassurance. That's a deeply human moment.

The scholarly reading

John's mathētai ("disciples") report to him peri pantōn toutōn ("about all these things") — the healings, exorcisms, and resurrection at Nain. This information triggers John's theological question.

Language and setting

John is in prison (Luke 3:20), unable to observe Jesus' ministry directly. He must rely on secondhand reports, which are filtered through expectations that may not match what Jesus is actually doing.

Voice

Luke narrates the communication between John's disciples and John in prison.

Significance

The information reaching John creates a crisis of expectation. The reports of Jesus' ministry may not align with John's understanding of what the Messiah should be doing — particularly regarding judgment.

16A sense of awe swept over all of them, and they glorified God. “A great prophet has appeared among us!” they said. “God has visited His people!”

17And the news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding region.

18Then John’s disciples informed him about all these things.

19So John called two of his disciples and sent them to ask the Lord, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?”

20When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to ask, ‘Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?’”

Read all of Luke 7 — A Roman centurion's faith astonishes Jesus, a widow's dead son is raised, and a sinful woman's tears become an act of worship.