1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,
2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways [shall be] made smooth;
6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to [our] father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
10 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
11 He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
12 Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?
13 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse [any] falsely; and be content with your wages.
15 And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;
16 John answered, saying unto [them] all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
17 Whose fan [is] in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.
18 And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.
19 But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,
20 Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.
21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was [the son] of Heli,
24 Which was [the son] of Matthat, which was [the son] of Levi, which was [the son] of Melchi, which was [the son] of Janna, which was [the son] of Joseph,
25 Which was [the son] of Mattathias, which was [the son] of Amos, which was [the son] of Naum, which was [the son] of Esli, which was [the son] of Nagge,
26 Which was [the son] of Maath, which was [the son] of Mattathias, which was [the son] of Semei, which was [the son] of Joseph, which was [the son] of Juda,
27 Which was [the son] of Joanna, which was [the son] of Rhesa, which was [the son] of Zorobabel, which was [the son] of Salathiel, which was [the son] of Neri,
28 Which was [the son] of Melchi, which was [the son] of Addi, which was [the son] of Cosam, which was [the son] of Elmodam, which was [the son] of Er,
29 Which was [the son] of Jose, which was [the son] of Eliezer, which was [the son] of Jorim, which was [the son] of Matthat, which was [the son] of Levi,
30 Which was [the son] of Simeon, which was [the son] of Juda, which was [the son] of Joseph, which was [the son] of Jonan, which was [the son] of Eliakim,
31 Which was [the son] of Melea, which was [the son] of Menan, which was [the son] of Mattatha, which was [the son] of Nathan, which was [the son] of David,
32 Which was [the son] of Jesse, which was [the son] of Obed, which was [the son] of Booz, which was [the son] of Salmon, which was [the son] of Naasson,
33 Which was [the son] of Aminadab, which was [the son] of Aram, which was [the son] of Esrom, which was [the son] of Phares, which was [the son] of Juda,
34 Which was [the son] of Jacob, which was [the son] of Isaac, which was [the son] of Abraham, which was [the son] of Thara, which was [the son] of Nachor,
35 Which was [the son] of Saruch, which was [the son] of Ragau, which was [the son] of Phalec, which was [the son] of Heber, which was [the son] of Sala,
36 Which was [the son] of Cainan, which was [the son] of Arphaxad, which was [the son] of Sem, which was [the son] of Noe, which was [the son] of Lamech,
37 Which was [the son] of Mathusala, which was [the son] of Enoch, which was [the son] of Jared, which was [the son] of Maleleel, which was [the son] of Cainan,
38 Which was [the son] of Enos, which was [the son] of Seth, which was [the son] of Adam, which was [the son] of God.
Context and Setting
Luke Chapter 3 is situated in the broader narrative of the Gospel of Luke, which emphasizes the compassion of Jesus and his mission to the marginalized. This chapter marks a significant transition as it introduces John the Baptist, who plays a crucial role in preparing the way for Jesus’ ministry.
Key Themes
- Preparation for the Messiah: John the Baptist serves as a forerunner to Jesus, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah.
- Repentance: The call to repentance is central to John’s message, emphasizing moral and spiritual renewal.
- Baptism: The act of baptism symbolizes purification and the commitment to a new life.
- Social Justice: John’s teachings address ethical behavior and social responsibility.
Structure of the Chapter
- Historical Context (Verses 1-2): The chapter opens with a detailed historical setting, naming specific political and religious leaders, which grounds the narrative in real events.
- John the Baptist’s Ministry (Verses 3-6): John begins his ministry in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance and quoting Isaiah to highlight his role.
- Call to Repentance (Verses 7-14): John addresses the crowds, urging them to produce fruits worthy of repentance and providing practical examples of ethical living.
- Announcement of Jesus (Verses 15-17): John speaks of the one who is more powerful than himself, foreshadowing Jesus’ coming and the significance of the Holy Spirit and fire.
- John’s Imprisonment (Verses 18-20): The chapter concludes with a brief mention of John’s imprisonment, indicating the challenges faced by prophets.
- Jesus’ Baptism (Verses 21-22): The chapter culminates with the baptism of Jesus, marking the beginning of his public ministry and the divine affirmation of his identity.
Detailed Analysis
Historical Context (Verses 1-2)
The chapter begins with a precise historical setting, mentioning key figures such as Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate, Herod, and the high priests Annas and Caiaphas. This establishes the time frame and underscores the significance of John’s ministry within the political and religious landscape of the time.
John the Baptist’s Ministry (Verses 3-6)
John’s ministry in the wilderness signifies a return to the roots of Israel’s faith. His call for repentance is not merely for individual salvation but is also a communal call to return to God. The quotation from Isaiah emphasizes the prophetic nature of his work, portraying him as the voice crying out to prepare the way for the Lord.
Call to Repentance (Verses 7-14)
John’s direct and confrontational approach to the crowds highlights the urgency of his message. He warns them against complacency and reliance on their lineage as descendants of Abraham. The practical examples he provides to different groups (crowds, tax collectors, soldiers) illustrate the holistic nature of repentance, which encompasses ethical behavior and social justice.
Announcement of Jesus (Verses 15-17)
As the people begin to wonder if John might be the Messiah, he clarifies his role, emphasizing the superiority of the one coming after him. The imagery of the winnowing fork and the fire serves to convey the seriousness of Jesus’ mission, which includes judgment and purification.
John’s Imprisonment (Verses 18-20)
This section briefly mentions John’s imprisonment, which foreshadows the challenges that await those who speak truth to power. It serves as a reminder of the cost of prophetic ministry and the inevitable conflict between divine truth and human authority.
Jesus’ Baptism (Verses 21-22)
The baptism of Jesus is a pivotal moment in the narrative. It marks the beginning of his public ministry and highlights his identification with humanity. The descent of the Holy Spirit and the voice from heaven affirm Jesus’ divine sonship and mission, setting the stage for the events that will unfold in the subsequent chapters.
Conclusion
Luke Chapter 3 serves as a foundational text that introduces key figures and themes essential to understanding the Gospel’s message. Through the ministry of John the Baptist and the baptism of Jesus, the chapter emphasizes the importance of repentance, social justice, and the preparation for the coming Messiah. The historical context and prophetic fulfillment presented in this chapter set the tone for the transformative ministry of Jesus that follows.
