Was John a Prophet? - Luke 7:26

Luke the beloved physician wrote, “when the messengers of John were departed” Jesus “began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went you out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went you out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously appareled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-six of his book Luke shared how Jesus asked, “what went you out to see? A prophet?” where we read:

But what went you out for to see? A prophet? Yes, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.

The verse reads, “But what went you out for to see? A prophet?” Luke began with the words, “but what went you out for to see” or “Nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, moreover who did the multitude who were listening to Jesus depart to observe, notice and behold”? “A prophet” which means “one who was moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman, solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation”? Luke shared how Jesus continued to ask rhetorical questions to the multitude concerning John, and this time He wondered if they went to the wilderness to see a “prophet” of God.

The verse goes on to say, “Yes, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.” Luke continued with the words, “Yes, I say unto you” which means “truly, verily, assuredly and even so, Jesus utters, declares and proclaims to the multitude”, “and much more” or “and vehemently, abundantly, superfluously and very highly beyond” “than a prophet” which means “compared to one who was moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman, solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation”. Luke shared how Jesus declared John the Baptist to be “vehemently more” than a “prophet” of God.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we see how Jesus began to exalt John the Baptist as He told the crowd John was “more than a prophet”. Jesus knows the works and being of every person, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with them so they can be all He wants them to be. Jesus saw John to be even greater than he or the multitude saw him to be, and when a person yields their life to Him, Jesus is able to use them in a greater capacity than they every thought possible.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus tells the people, “This is he, of whom it is written”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".