King James Version

What Does Luke 7:19 Mean?

Luke 7:19 in the King James Version says “And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for ...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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?”

Luke 7:19 · KJV

Context

17

And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.

18

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 that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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? John's question uses the phrase ὁ ἐρχόμενος (ho erchomenos, "the Coming One"), a messianic title referencing Malachi 3:1 and Psalm 118:26. The alternative—"or look we for another" (ἢ ἄλλον προσδοκῶμεν, ē allon prosdokōmen)—reveals genuine uncertainty. This is remarkable because John had previously identified Jesus as "the Lamb of God" (John 1:29), seen the Spirit descend on Him (John 1:32-34), and declared "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).

Why does John doubt? Several factors converge: prolonged imprisonment tests faith; John expected Messiah to bring immediate judgment ("the axe is laid unto the root," Luke 3:9; "he will throughly purge his floor," 3:17), but Jesus was healing, teaching, and dining with sinners rather than overthrowing Rome or executing judgment on the wicked. John's question is not apostasy but perplexity—his theology needs recalibration. Jesus' ministry of grace must precede His return in judgment. The present age is the "acceptable year of the Lord" (4:19), not yet "the day of vengeance of our God" (Isaiah 61:2, which Jesus conspicuously did not quote in the Nazareth synagogue).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jewish messianic expectation in the first century emphasized military deliverance and political restoration of Israel's kingdom. The Dead Sea Scrolls reveal expectations of two messiahs (priestly and kingly) and violent overthrow of Gentile oppression. John's ministry proclaimed imminent judgment (Luke 3:7-17), preparing people for a conquering Messiah. Jesus' actual ministry—healing the sick, raising the dead, preaching good news to the poor—fulfilled Isaiah 35:5-6 and 61:1-2 but didn't match popular militant expectations. John's question reflects this theological tension between expectation and reality.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does John's doubt teach about the reality of faith struggles even among the most spiritually mature believers?
  2. How does Jesus' first coming in grace (to save) versus His second coming in judgment (to judge) explain the timing questions John struggled with?
  3. In what ways do our own expectations of how God should work sometimes blind us to how He is actually working?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
καί1 of 21

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

προσκαλεσάμενος2 of 21

“calling”

G4341

to call toward oneself, i.e., summon, invite

δύο3 of 21

“unto him two”

G1417

"two"

τινάς4 of 21
G5100

some or any person or object

τῶν5 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μαθητῶν6 of 21

“disciples”

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

αὐτοῦ7 of 21
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὁ8 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰωάννης9 of 21

“John”

G2491

joannes (i.e., jochanan), the name of four israelites

ἔπεμψεν10 of 21

“sent”

G3992

to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas ???? (as a stronger form of ????) refers rather to the objective point or <i>term

πρὸς11 of 21

“them to”

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

τὸν12 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦν,13 of 21

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

λέγων,14 of 21

“saying”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Σὺ15 of 21

“thou”

G4771

thou

εἶ16 of 21

“Art”

G1488

thou art

ὁ17 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐρχόμενος18 of 21

“he that should come”

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

ἢ19 of 21

“or”

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

ἄλλον20 of 21

“another”

G243

"else," i.e., different (in many applications)

προσδοκῶμεν21 of 21

“look we for”

G4328

to anticipate (in thought, hope or fear); by implication, to await

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 7:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 7:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 4:25Isaiah 9:6-7Isaiah 59:20-21Malachi 4:2Acts 10:7-8Isaiah 40:10-11

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