Did John the Baptist doubt his faith (Matthew 11:3; Luke 7:19)?

TL;DR

Even John the Baptist, who recognized Jesus as the Messiah, wrestled with doubt when suffering and expectations collided with reality. But Jesus answers doubt not with condemnation, but with proof—pointing back to who He is and what He’s done.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible indicates that John the Baptist sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He was the Messiah (Matthew 11:2). Plausible reasons for his question are fear caused by his circumstances and his assumptions about the Messiah.

John recognized Jesus as the Messiah (John 1:29), had witnessed God's Spirit descending on Him, and had heard the Father identifying Jesus as His Son (Matthew 3:16-17). But later when Herod Antipas threw John in prison with the intention of beheading him, John likely fell prey to fear and doubt. He may have had a similar view of the Messiah that other followers of Jesus had, i.e., that the Messiah would come as an earthly Conquerer, to restore the nation of Israel (Luke 19:11, 3:7-9). When he didn't see that happening, he may have needed additional reassurance of Jesus' identity.

Jesus' answer to John's followers was to point to the miracles He was performing, miracles that only God could perform (Isaiah 35:5-6; Luke 7:22). Jesus reminded John of who He is: the eternal, everlasting God.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

Isaiah's messianic prophecy detailed some signs of the Messiah: "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy" (Isaiah 35:5-6). Jesus performed these and other miracles, and He referenced those miracles in His response to John the Baptist's disciples as evidence of who He is.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

John had recognized Jesus as the Messiah: "Behold, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). He also baptized Jesus and witnessed God's Spirit descending on Him as well as the Father identifying Jesus as His Son (Matthew 3:16-17).

Even so, John the Baptist, like some of Christ's followers (Luke 19:11), likely expected the Messiah to bring judgment immediately. He warned the crowds of "the wrath to come" (Luke 3:7) and said, "Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees" (Luke 3:9).

After Herod Antipas imprisoned John, he fell prey to doubt, likely because of fear and because Jesus wasn't the type of messianic conquerer he had expected. This may be why he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" (Matthew 11:2; cf. Luke 7:18–23).

Jesus' answer to John's disciples pointed to Him as the ultimate Conquerer of much more than an earthly kingdom, as His miracles attested: "And he answered them, 'Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them'" (Luke 7:22).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

"Will you marry me?" "Why should we hire you?" Some questions are so important that the answers are life-changing.

But the most important question for any of us is one that Jesus asked His apostles: "But who do you say that I am?" (Matthew 15:16). Jesus' question to His followers is one that every one of us must answer correctly—-as Peter did: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16). John the Baptist knew this—yet in a moment of doubt, facing death, he needed reassurance.

Maybe you can understand that. Maybe you've had doubts, too. In those times of uncertainty, we can go to God in prayer, asking Him to increase our faith, as the man with the demon-possessed son asked of Jesus (Mark 9:24). Our security is in the Lord.

UNDERSTAND

John the Baptist acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah.

After John was imprisoned and facing death, he may have experienced doubts, which would lead him to send his disciples to ask Jesus to confirm His identity.

Jesus met John in his doubts with confirmation.

REFLECT

In what circumstances have you confronted doubts to your faith, and how did God meet you?

How do you handle times of doubt so you actually seek answers?

What are some Bible passages that you lean on when you need encouragement in times of doubt?

ENGAGE

What might believers today learn from the example of John the Baptist regarding doubt?

What are some ways the evidence of Jesus’ works and character can strengthen a person’s faith during seasons of uncertainty?

How can Christians support each other in times of trouble and doubt?