Luke3
English Standard Version
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Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Luke 3.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: John the Baptist's ministry. (1–14). John the Baptist testifies concerning Christ. (15–20). The baptism of Christ. (21, 22). The genealogy of Christ. (23–38).
vv1-14
The scope and design of John's ministry were, to bring the people from their sins, and to their Saviour. He came preaching, not a sect, or party, but a profession; the sign or ceremony was washing with water. By the words here used John preached the necessity of repentance, in order to the remission of sins, and that the baptism of water was an outward sign of that inward cleansing and renewal of heart, which attend, or are the effects of true repentance, as well as a profession of it. Here is the fulfilling of the Scriptures, Isa 40:3, in the ministry of John. When way is made for the gospel into the heart, by taking down high thoughts, and bringing them into obedience to Christ, by levelling the soul, and removing all that hinders us in the way of Christ and his grace, then preparation is made to welcome the salvation of God. Here are general warnings and exhortations which John gave. The guilty, corrupted race of mankind is become a generation of vipers; hateful to God, and hating one another. There is no way of fleeing from the wrath to come, but by repentance; and by the change of our way the change of our mind must be shown. If we are not really holy, both in heart and life, our profession of religion and relation to God and his church, will stand us in no stead at all; the sorer will our destruction be, if we do not bring forth fruits meet for repentance. John the Baptist gave instructions to several sorts of persons. Those that profess and promise repentance, must show it by reformation, according to their places and conditions. The gospel requires mercy, not sacrifice; and its design is, to engage us to do all the good we can, and to be just to all men. And the same principle which leads men to forego unjust gain, leads to restore that which is gained by wrong. John tells the soldiers their duty. Men should be cautioned against the temptations of their employments. These answers declared the present duty of the inquirers, and at once formed a test of their sincerity. As none can or will accept Christ's salvation without true repentance, so the evidence and effects of this repentance are here marked out.
vv15-20
John the Baptist disowned being himself the Christ, but confirmed the people in their expectations of the long-promised Messiah. He could only exhort them to repent, and assure them of forgiveness upon repentance; but he could not work repentance in them, nor confer remission on them. Thus highly does it become us to speak of Christ, and thus humbly of ourselves. John can do no more than baptize with water, in token that they ought to purify and cleanse themselves; but Christ can, and will baptize with the Holy Ghost; he can give the Spirit, to cleanse and purify the heart, not only as water washes off the dirt on the outside, but as fire clears out the dross that is within, and melts down the metal, that it may be cast into a new mould. John was an affectionate preacher; he was beseeching; he pressed things home upon his hearers. He was a practical preacher; quickening them to their duty, and directing them in it. He was a popular preacher; he addressed the people, according to their capacity. He was an evangelical preacher. In all his exhortations, he directed people to Christ. When we press duty upon people, we must direct them to Christ, both for righteousness and strength. He was a copious preacher; he shunned not to declare the whole counsel of God. But a full stop was put to John's preaching when he was in the midst of his usefulness. Herod being reproved by him for many evils, shut up John in prison. Those who injure the faithful servants of God, add still greater guilt to their other sins.
vv21-22
Christ did not confess sin, as others did, for he had none to confess; but he prayed, as others did, and kept up communion with his Father. Observe, all the three voices from heaven, by which the Father bare witness to the Son, were pronounced while he was praying, or soon after, Lu 9:35; Joh 12:28. The Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and there came a voice from heaven, from God the Father, from the excellent glory. Thus was a proof of the Holy Trinity, of the Three Persons in the Godhead, given at the baptism of Christ.
Key Words
πεντεκαιδέκατος (pentekaidékatos): five and tenth
ἔτος (étos): a year
ἡγεμονία (hēgemonía): government, i.e. (in time) official term
Τιβέριος (Tibérios): probably pertaining to the river Tiberis or Tiber; Tiberius, a Roman emperor
Καῖσαρ (Kaîsar): Cæsar, a title of the Roman emperor
Πόντιος (Póntios): apparently bridged; Pontius, a Roman
Πιλᾶτος (Pilâtos): close-pressed, i.e. firm; Pilatus, a Roman
ἡγεμονεύω (hēgemoneúō): to act as ruler
Ἰουδαία (Ioudaía): the Judæan land (i.e. Judæa), a region of Palestine
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Luke 3Direct prophecy of John the Baptist's ministry as the voice crying in the wilderness.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Quoted literally to show that all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
Supported by JFB
Matthew's parallel account of John's warning to the generation of vipers.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel text detailing John's contrast of his water baptism with Christ's baptism of fire.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel describing Christ's sorting fan, purging the floor, and burning the chaff.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Confirms the dual high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas during Jesus' trial.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Fulfills Zacharias's prophecy that John would give knowledge of salvation by remission of sins.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel demand to bring forth fruits meet for repentance instead of relying on Abraham.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Matthew's account of Jesus' baptism and the opening of the heavens.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The departure of the scepter from Judah under Roman-appointed foreign tetrarchs.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Zacchaeus's repentance illustrates John's command to publicans to stop extortion.
Supported by JFB
Parallel account of Herod imprisoning John because of the rebuke over Herodias.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The Father's voice repeating approval of His beloved Son at the Transfiguration.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Old Testament precedent for entering public priestly service at thirty years of age.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Contrasts Adam, the first son of God by creation, with Christ the Second Adam.
Supported by Matthew Henry