Messengers from John the Baptist

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John the Baptist in prison, by Josef Anton Hafner, 1750.

The Messengers from John the Baptist is an episode in the life of Jesus that appears in Matthew 11:2–6 and Luke 7:18–23.[1]

In the New Testament this episode takes place after the Baptism of Jesus when John the Baptist is in prison and hears of the works performed by Jesus. He experiences a period of doubt as to whether Jesus is the prophesied Messiah of the Old Testament. John sends two of his disciples as messengers to ask a question from Jesus: "Are you the one to come after me or shall we wait for another?" [2] Jesus replied back to John through the messengers to take note of all the miraculous works he has done as described in Luke 7:22.

According to the Gospel of Matthew:

When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."[3]

Following this episode, Jesus begins to speak to the crowds about John the Baptist,[4] according to the reports of Matthew 11:7–11 and Luke 7:24–28.

See also

Notes

  1. The Gospel of Matthew by Rudolf Schnackenburg 2002 ISBN 0-8028-4438-3 page 104
  2. Mercer dictionary of the Bible by Watson E. Mills, Roger Aubrey Bullard 1998 ISBN 0-86554-373-9 page 459
  3. Biblegateway
  4. Harmony of the Gospels by G. T. Elihai 2005 ISBN 1-59781-637-X page 94