Luke 7:19
What does Luke 7:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 7:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 7:19 means
John, hearing these reports, selected two of his disciples and sent them to Jesus with a direct and urgent question: 'Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another?' This inquiry from John, the one who had foretold Jesus' coming, suggests a potential struggle with his own understanding of the Messiah's role, perhaps expecting a more immediate, politically forceful deliverance than Jesus' current ministry of healing and teaching.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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
King James Version · 1611And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to the Lord, saying, Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then John sent two of his disciples to the Lord, saying, Are you he who is to come, or are we waiting for another?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and 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?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And John called to him two of his disciples and sent them to Jesus, saying: Art thou he that art to come? Or look we for another?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and John, having called two of his disciples, sent to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that is coming, or are we to wait for another?
Context
This verse is the direct consequence of John's disciples reporting Jesus' works, presenting John's pivotal question to Jesus. It introduces the theological tension of whether Jesus truly fits John's messianic expectations, setting up Jesus' comprehensive response in the verses that follow.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 40:10
Behold, the Lord Jehovah will come as a mighty one, and his arm will rule for him: Behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.
- Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy king cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, even upon a colt the foal of an ass.
- Malachi 4:2
But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings; and ye shall go forth, and gambol as calves of the stall.
- Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
- Malachi 3:1
Behold, I send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant, whom ye desire, behold, he cometh, saith Jehovah of hosts.
- Psalms 110:1
Jehovah saith unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, Until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
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