Ministry of John the Baptist
Luke 3:1 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,
The author gives a historical time frame. The Bible is historical and it is truth.
Luke 3:2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
Caiaphas was actually the High Priest, but his father-in-law Annas (the patriarch of the family) was the real influence among the priests. (Guzik)
The son of Zacharias the priest, who was visited by the angel Gabriel, was John. He was no doubt thirty years of age, being born six months before the son of man Jesus, who was God's only begotten son from heaven. Where was John? In a prophets school? At a place of higher education? No, he lived alone in the wilderness, the desert region near the Jordan River.
Luke 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
Mat 3:4 And the same John had his raiment (clothing) of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
He looked like one of today's homeless; ragged, hair and beard unkept, existing off of the land eating grasshoppers and honey. Not a prosperity preacher, but a great prophet of God, one who Jesus said was the greatest prophet ever born of man. (Luke 7:28)
He came preaching repentance for the remission of sins. Repentance is required before receiving the one who could remove the peoples sins, Jesus the savior.
Luke 3:4 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.
Luke 3:5 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;
Luke 3:6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
Isa 40:3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Isa 40:4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
Isa 40:5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
John was the prophet, the Holy Spirit of God gave him the words to say. John was the prophet of this time, the messenger from among the people chosen of the LORD. The messenger fulfilling the scriptures. God sent the angel Gabriel, an unusual miracle to announce the births of John and then Jesus. John was to prepare hearts to receive the Messiah, Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us. His work was to make the way for "the way" to God. Jesus is the door to heaven, the way of Salvation. John was Preparing the people to receive him through repenting from sins.
Fruit of repentance
Luke 3:7 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?
Matthew wrote this also, but the people so addressed were the religious leaders.
Mat 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Luke 3:8 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.
They were trusting in religious traditions and ceremonies; dead works from dead hearts; hearts dead to God's Spirit.
Heb 9:13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
They trusted in the covenant given to Abraham, thinking that they were saved from sin because of this connection and through their good works. Show works worthy of repentance; a humble needy heart calling on God for mercy and giving to the needs of others. Salvation is of God, not of a bloodline. (John 1:13)
Luke 3:9 And now also the ax 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.
This is similar to what Jesus said in John 15.
John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Luke 3:10 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
A good question. Many do their own will without regard to what God wants. The first step of a heart seeking God is to acknowledge our sins and to repent of them. How can we show fruits of repentance and good works. John gives them an example.
Luke 3:11 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.
Share with others, give of what you have to another's need. Jesus continues with this thought.
Mat 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Mat 25:35 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Do justice
Luke 3:12 Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?
Publicans were the tax collectors who asked for more than was required and kept the extra money for themselves. They bid on the right to collect taxes, so they needed money to pay for the bid and money to live on. The tax was increased to cover these costs. They were hated by the people because of this.
I can relate this to a property owner who must pay taxes on the property and also added assessments which often double the amount due.
Luke 3:13 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
That is to make a fair wage on top of the tax. They were not to work for free. This could also apply to today's politicians who serve one term and receive a full salary for the rest of their lives. Use righteous judgment.
Luke 3:14 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.
John asks for justice and fairness and to not abuse the powers they have. Be content with your wages. We are not to be covetous and if anyone requires something from us, give more than is required.
Mat 5:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
Mat 5:41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
What are you doing that John would consider that you should change? Let the Spirit search your heart and follow in obedience.
Col 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Col 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
Col 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Put off the old sinful ways and put on the ways of Jesus as you walk in your new life in him.
Holy Ghost and fire
Luke 3:15 And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;
Luke 3:16 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:
John said that he was not the one who is the messiah, the Christ. John baptized with water for repentance. The baptism of the Christ, Jesus the Christ, would be with the Holy Ghost and fire.
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
John 16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
John 16:10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
John 16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
John 16:12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.
John 16:14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.
Luke 3:17 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.
Jesus shall baptize with the Holy Ghost. If you have not God's spirit you have no part with him.
Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Jesus also brought judgment of sins and the gathering will come at the second coming of the Lord. Those in Christ will be gathered unto him, those who are evil without coming to Jesus shall be burned. The fire is also used for the conviction of sins and putting them away from us, which we are to do. It is best to judge our own sins and put them away, than to have God judge them at the resurrection. Give all your sins to Jesus now, for he came to forgive them. Let his fire fall on you now, for the removal of sins. If you come to God apart from Jesus, you will be cast into the fire.
Mat 5:30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
We are not to literally cut off the hand, but even if it were so, it would be a lesser punishment then to be cast into the fire for eternity. Jesus came to make us whole in him. Come to him for restoration.
Righteousness and injustice
Luke 3:18 And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.
John preached repentance from sins, giving illustrations of what it means to repent. Show fruit of repentance. Many come to be saved but they show no change in their lifestyle. A gang member doing bad things coming to Jesus would change, be removed from this lifestyle. Conviction comes from God's Spirit for change. If no conviction, you are not of his Spirit and not born again. You must be born again of his Spirit to truly show change in your life. Even without knowing the word of God, the Spirit convicts you and changes you. To grow into the likeness of Jesus you also must study his word, the Bible. You need to be his disciple.
Luke 3:19 But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,
Mark 6:17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.
Mark 6:18 For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.
Mark 6:19 Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:
Mark 6:20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
Luke jumps to this that happened. John told Herod, the governor of Judea that he was in sin for marrying his brothers wife. Even today, most preachers will not be so bold. They turn their heads at these sins not wanting to judge or offend. We often seek grace, but John was still under the covenant of the law. The law of sin and death resulting to all who are apart from salvation in Jesus. He was warning them and telling them to repent.
Luke 3:20 Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.
Because of his stand for righteousness he was cast into prison. John whose home was the sky and wilderness, living off the land, was cast into a filthy prison and treated as an enemy. We might as well see this as what will happen to those of Christ who stand for righteousness in our secular humanist nation. As the liberal judges seek to remove God and make ungodly behavior the law, we will be the ones cast into jail if we stand for righteousness. God's word will be known as hate words and evil will be called good.
Isa 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Isa 5:21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
Isa 5:22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:
Isa 5:23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!
Isa 5:24 Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
Prov 28:1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Prov 29:16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
Baptism of Jesus
Luke 3:21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
John's baptism was for the repentance of sins, turning from sins. Jesus had no sins but was baptized as an example to fulfill all the law. John spoke:
Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Mat 3:13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
Mat 3:14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
Mat 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
Luke 3:22 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.
Jesus, God's only begotten son from heaven,(John 3:16) at the age of ministry, thirty years, was baptized and two witnesses from heaven confirmed his ministry, the Holy Spirit descended visably, as a dove and the voice of God the Father spoke: Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
All three personalities of God were present; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost). This has been called the Trinity or the triune God, which means one God in three persons. The Bible speaks of these three manifestations of God in many places. God is Spirit, His Spirit Son came in the form of a human, born of a virgin in Bethlehem. This was all fortold by the prophets hundreds of years before the event.
The baptism of John was for repentance, the baptism of Jesus will be for our salvation and the receiving of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God in us to do his will. Jesus would make the way for us to come to God and to be saved from our sins.
Genealogy
Luke 3:23 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,
Luke traces the ancestry of Jesus through Joseph, (as was supposed) His earthly father. Jesus' real father was God. He was born of a virgin, but genealogies are supposed to not mention women in the genealogy. Luke actually follows Mary's genealogy, which differs from Joseph's genealogy found in the gospel of Matthew. Continue to the end of this for a final comment.
Luke 3:24 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,
Luke 3:25 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,
Luke 3:26 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,
Luke 3:27 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,
Luke 3:28 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,
Luke 3:29 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,
Luke 3:30 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,
Luke 3:31 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,
Luke 3:32 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,
Luke 3:33 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,
Luke 3:34 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,
Luke 3:35 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,
Luke 3:36 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,
Luke 3:37 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,
Luke 3:38 Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.
Luke traces Mary's genealogy all the way back to Adam who was the son of God. Adam was of the earth, Jesus is God's unique, single of its kind, Son from heaven. He was an actual living person with family roots. The eternal king from the lineage of King David, as was foretold in the covenant with King David.
2 Sam 7:12 And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
2 Sam 7:13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
Dan 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
Superragman
Luke Chapters
Luke 4
Luke Table of Contents
Eaglewings New Testament Studies
Eaglewings Ministries