John the Baptist's Doubts

Is Jesus the One? {Matthew and Luke}

Hearing about Jesus’ ministry while in prison, John the Baptist sent two of his disciples to Jesus to ask, “Are you the one who was to come or should we wait for another?”

Jesus said, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, leprosy is cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.” After John’s disciples left, Jesus turned to the crowd. “Did you seek John to see someone swayed by popular opinions or dressed in fine clothes? No, such people live in luxury. You saw a prophet, yes, and more. He was the one written about: ‘I will send my messenger before you and he will prepare your way.’ (Malachi 3:1)

“No man greater than John has been born, yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

Personal Thought: I first believed this might mean no one is greater than another in the eyes of God, but Jesus said the least is greater, so why? I don’t know. I read someone else’s idea that this referred to the fact that those after John would have the opportunity to receive the Holy Spirit and could know Jesus in a more personal way.

Those baptized by John believed Jesus, but the Pharisees and experts in the law had not been baptized and rejected his teachings.

The People Act Like Children

Jesus said, “I compare this generation to children playing and calling out, ‘We played the flute and you didn’t dance, sang a dirge and you didn’t cry.’ John the Baptist neither ate bread nor drank wine, and you said he has a demon. The Son of Man eats and drinks and you call him a glutton, a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and sinners. Wisdom is proved right by all her children.”

Personal Thought: I like that last statement. Listen to people and what they’re really saying or not saying behind the words they use to get to wisdom.