Lucas 7
William MacDonald · Citado em PreceptAustin
Lucas 7
William MacDonald - Whatever Jesus might say to John in private, He had nothing but praise for him in public. When the people had flocked out to the desert near Jordan, what had they expected to find? A fickle, spineless, wavering opportunist? No one could ever accuse John of being a reed shaken by the wind. The Bible Knowledge Commentary Jesus used the occasion of John the Baptist's inquiry to teach the people about John's ministry and to commend him. He noted that John was not convictionless, like a reed blowing in the wind. ESV Study Bible - Reed shaken by the wind suggests something flimsy and uncertain—far from an accurate description of John the Baptist (cf. Mark 1:6). John was more than a prophet: he was the prophet sent to fulfill Mal. 3:1. Pulpit Commentary - When the messengers of John were departed, the Lord, fearful lest the people who had been standing by and listening to the question which the Baptist had put, and his answer, should entertain any disparaging thought of a great and sorely tried saint of God, spoke the following noble testimony concerning that true, faithful witness. It has been termed the funeral oration of John; for not long after it had been spoken he was put to death by Herod Antipas. The imagery was taken from the scenery in the midst of which John the Baptist had principally exercised his ministry — the reedy banks of Jordan. It was surely to see an everyday sight — a weak vacillating man blown to and fro with every wind. John, though his faith failed him for a moment perhaps, was no wavering reed. Vincent on To see - expresses the calm, continuous contemplation of an object which remains before the spectator. Compare John 1:14. Another verb is used in Christ’s repetition of the question, Mt 11:8, 9; ἰδεῖν in the ordinary sense of seeing. The more earnest expression suits the first question. Ryle on What did you go out into the wilderness to see? - Let it be noted that both here and in the two following verses the question is equivalent to a strong and positive affirmation. It is as if our Lord had said, “John the Baptist was not a reed shaken by the wind,”—“was not a man clothed in soft raiment,”—“was not merely a prophet.”—Such a form of expression is not uncommon in the Bible. A striking example is to be seen in the famous question, “What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” It is equivalent to saying, “It shall profit him nothing at all.” (Luke 7) A reed shaken by the wind - Picture of something flimsy, a far cry from the true picture of John the Baptist who "was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey." (Mk 1:6) In the context of the Roman soldiers mocking and spitting on and beating the head of our Lord, the "reed" is undoubtedly more like a cane, because this same Greek word was used to describe a fishing pole, which gives us some idea of the force of the blows of the strong Roman soldiers on the holy head of our Lord! (Mt 27:30, Mk 15:19)
Lucas 7
William MacDonald - This may be understood as a rebuke; John had been offended by the failure of Jesus to seize the reins of authority and to manifest Himself in the way people expected. But it may also be interpreted as an exhortation to John not to abandon his faith.C. G. Moore says: I know of no hours more trying to faith than those in which Jesus multiplies evidences of His power and does not use it ... There is need of much grace when the messengers come back saying: "Yes, He has all the power, and is all that you have thought; but He said not a word about taking you out of prison...." No explanation; faith nourished; prison doors left closed; and then the message, "Blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in me." That is all! (Borrow Believer's Bible Commentary) Merrill Tenney on take offense - And he appealed to John not to be offended (v. 23) by the way he conducted his ministry. "Offend" (Gr. skandalizo) has the meaning of "cause to go astray," or "cause to err," rather than "to displease." (Wycliffe Bible Commentary - Luke Comments) Cornerstone Biblical Commentary - John’s understandable doubt and disappointment could be safely put aside, for the telltale messianic signs were plainly in evidence. Jesus did not want John to give in to doubt and despair. The messengers were to tell him, “God blesses those who do not turn away because of me” (7:23). (See Luke, Acts) Liefeld comments "Jesus pronounces a blessing (v. 23) on the person who accepts his credentials rather than being trapped (skandalisthe, NIV, "fall away") because of a false evaluation of Jesus. (Borrow The Expositor's Bible Commentary) J C
Lucas 7
William MacDonald - In speaking of John the Baptist, Jesus said that there was no greater prophet than he (Luke 7:28). Here the Savior was speaking about the greatness of John’s position. No other prophet had the privilege of being the forerunner of the Messiah. It does not mean that John had a better character than any of the Old Testament prophets, but only that his was the unique assignment of introducing the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. (Borrow Believer's Bible Commentary) Yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he - The least today has the Spirit permanently and has the privilege of proclaiming the full message of salvation.