Luke 7:26

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 7:26 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But what went ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But what went ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.
Luke 7:26 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
26But what went ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But what went ye out for to see? etc.] What led your curiosity to go into the wilderness after him, since it could not be any of the above things? was it to see a prophet? which was the case; for John was a prophet, and was known to be one; and the fame of him, as such, drew vast numbers to see and hear him, there not having been a prophet among the Jews, for some hundreds of years: yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet; not that he was the prophet Moses did say should come; nor was he the priest that should arise with the “Urim” and “Thummim”, that the “Tirshatha”, Nehemiah spoke of; nor was he the king Messiah; but he was his forerunner, he saw him and baptized him, and so was…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See this passage explained in Matthew 11:2-19. Luke 7:29 The people - The common people. That heard him - That heard “John.” The publicans - The tax-gatherers, the worst kind of people, who had, however, been converted. Justified God - Considered God as “just” or “right” in the counsel which he gave by John - to wit, in calling people to repentance, and in denouncing future wrath on the impenitent. Compare Matthew 11:19. Being baptized ... - They “showed” that they approved of the message of God by submitting to the ordinance which he commanded - the ordinance of baptism. This verse and the following are not to be considered as the words of “Luke,” but the continuation of the discourse of…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Mat 11:9-14; Joh 3:26-30, Joh 5:35 A prophet: Luk 1:76, Luk 20:6 and: Luk 16:16 Luke 7:27”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification