15. The role of John the Baptist and his limitation (Luke 7:18–35)

Though John was the first to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, he did not fully grasp the nature of the salvation the Messiah would bring. The Old Testament pointed people to Christ, but many remained in the Old Testament framework and did not move on to Christ Himself.

👉 Read Luke 7:18 - 35

Q1. Though John the Baptist had proclaimed that Jesus was Christ, later he doubted Jesus' identity. When John sent his disciples to ask about Jesus' identity, what was Jesus' answer? 

ANS: V22 (quote from Isaiah 35:5) 

John doubted Jesus was Christ because he thought Christ would recover Israel from Rome. The Lord reminded him of the Messianic prophecy to correct his misunderstanding of Christ's role and to allude that he was Christ. 

“Blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” As we begin to believe in the Lord, we are often challenged or even disappointed by His word and His work, because things do not unfold according to our expectations. Nevertheless, those who do not stumble but remain faithful to the end are blessed. This implies that truly knowing Jesus and understanding the kingdom of God always requires humility—laying down our own understanding.

Q2. How did Jesus describe John the Baptist?

ANS: One who is greater than prophets. A messenger of God before the Lord. 

He was the greatest among all born from women (born in the flesh) but smaller than the smallest in God's kingdom (born in the Spirit).

The grace and wisdom given through Christ's revelation is far greater than those blessings given to any prophet in the Old Testament.

Q3. According to the analogy of the children in the market, why did they not believe in Jesus? (v29-34, hint: it is related to John's mission. Those who are indifferent (v32) refer to the unbelieving) 

ANS: They could not accept the Christ about whom John testified because they refused to be baptized by John. They refused the baptism of repentance because he thought they were righteous.

Because they were satisfied as they were and lacked nothing, they could not believe Jesus because they were preoccupied with their thoughts and ignored John's message.

Q4. How do you know that Jesus was proclaiming the truth? (v35)

ANS: Because he is sinless. Wisdom is determined by its deeds (children of wisdom).

Truth, in John’s theology (though this passage is from Luke), is proven by integrity of life—perfectly in Christ, who is without sin, and genuinely in believers who walk in the light rather than in deceit.

Because they did not receive John’s baptism or accept his testimony about Jesus, they were unable to recognize the Christ. To avoid being offended by Jesus’ work in your life, humble repentance and openness are essential—welcoming His intervention rather than resisting it. Whatever situation the Lord places you in, allow yourself to be immersed in it, listening for His voice instead of withdrawing or closing yourself off from the dancing and the singing.