Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

LUKE 7:22KJV
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Luke 7:22 (KJV)

What does Luke 7:22 mean?

Luke 7:22 describes Jesus telling John the Baptist’s followers to report back what they have witnessed: miracles such as the blind receiving sight, the lame walking, lepers being cleansed, the deaf hearing, the dead being raised, and the good news being preached to the poor. Jesus points to these signs as evidence of who he is and what God is doing through him.

In this scene, Jesus is responding to a question from John the Baptist, who is in prison and has sent messengers to ask if Jesus is truly the one they have been waiting for. Instead of giving a direct yes or no, Jesus lists the miracles and acts of compassion happening around him. This answer connects Jesus’ work to Old Testament expectations of what the Messiah would do, showing that God’s promises are being fulfilled in visible, tangible ways.

The Greek behind Luke 7:22

  • ὁι τυφλοὶ βλέπουσιν (hoi typhloi blepousin, “the blind see”): The Greek word for “blind” (τυφλοὶ, typhloi) and “see” (βλέπουσιν, blepousin) highlight a physical transformation, but also often carried a sense of spiritual insight in the culture of the time.
  • εὐαγγελίζεται (euangelizetai, “the gospel is preached”): This word means “to bring good news” or “to announce glad tidings.” In this context, it emphasizes that the message of hope is reaching those who are usually overlooked, the poor (πτωχοῖς, ptochois).
  • νεκροὶ ἐγείρονται (nekroi egeirontai, “the dead are raised”): The Greek for “raised” (ἐγείρονται, egeirontai) is often used for resurrection, underlining the extraordinary nature of Jesus’ miracles.

Why Luke 7:22 matters

  • Luke 7:22 clarifies that Jesus’ identity is shown through his actions, not just his words. The miracles fulfill prophecies about the Messiah, giving a concrete answer to John’s question.
  • The verse highlights Jesus’ compassion for people on the margins—those who are sick, poor, or outcast—showing that God’s kingdom is open to all, not just the powerful or privileged.
  • By connecting these deeds to Old Testament hopes, Luke 7:22 helps readers see Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s long-awaited promises, anchoring his ministry in the story of Israel.

Where else these words appear

“lepers” Greek G3015 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 8:2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
  • Matthew 11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
  • Mark 14:3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.

“deaf” Greek G2974 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 9:32 As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.
  • Matthew 12:22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
  • Mark 7:37 And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

“lame” Greek G5560 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
  • Matthew 21:14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.
  • Acts 3:2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

“see” Greek G308 · used in 24 verses

  • Matthew 11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
  • Mark 10:51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.
  • Luke 21:1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.