Luke 7:19

‘And John, calling to him two of his disciples, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you he who is coming, or look we for another?” '

Having heard the news of this rapid spreading of the word and of all that was taking place (as much as his disciples could tell him) John called two of his disciples and sent them ‘to the Lord'. This use of ‘the Lord' connects up with Luke 7:13. They were sent to the Lord Who had raised the dead (compare Luke 7:18, ‘all these things'). The contrast between Jesus and John is being emphasised. Jesus is increasing, John is decreasing (John 3:30). For John worked no miracles, whereas Jesus wrought wonders wherever He went. He is revealing His power as ‘the Lord' (Christ the Lord - Luke 2:11), besides which John is merely the greatest of the prophets.

(B; f13; 157 and others have ‘the Lord'. Aleph A W Theta f1 f28 have ‘Jesus').

We should not be taken by surprise by John's doubts as he languishes in the darkness of his prison cell in chains. If Jesus could express hesitancy in Gethsemane when He knew what was happening, how much more likely John in prison when he did not know what was happening. John had been expecting so much, and now time hung heavy on his hands. He did not doubt God (‘look we for another'). He was still as involved as ever (as far as he could be). But he just could not understand what he heard about the ministry of Jesus. Things did not seem to be going as he had expected (we are not wise when we decide how God should act). Jesus was no longer preaching in the wilderness regions, as He had for a while alongside John (John 3:22 to John 4:3). Indeed from all reports he was partying with outcasts and the non-religious. And there was no suggestion of His gathering an army. All He had was a small band of Galileans (although they could be tough fighters), and all they did was go around preaching. That was all very well for a time. But he had expected that by now other stirrings might have been taking place.

‘A certain two (duo tinas) of his disciples.' John wants a twofold witness in order to confirm its certainty. Although it may be that his disciples also went around in twos. It was quite common.

The message that his disciples took was in the form of a simple question. “Are you He Who is coming, or look we for another?” For John had been looking for ‘the Coming One' to act as the eschatological figure through Whom the Holy Spirit would be poured out, when all who were in rebellion against God would be brought into judgment (Luke 3:16). For ‘the Coming One' compare ‘blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord' (Luke 13:35), ‘blessed is the King Who comes in the name of the Lord (Luke 19:38). But this was not what appeared to be happening. Where were the fires of judgment? He was puzzled.