Luke 3

Luke 3 focuses on the ministry of John the Baptist as he prepares the way for Jesus Christ. The chapter opens with John’s call to preach repentance, emphasizing baptism as a sign of turning away from sin. It recounts John’s bold words to the people, including warnings about judgment and encouragement to bear fruits of repentance. Luke then transitions to the baptism of Jesus and ends with a genealogy that traces Jesus' lineage back to Adam, underscoring His connection to all humanity.

Luke 3:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,
2 while Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

John’s ministry began during a time of political and religious tension, with both Roman rulers and Jewish high priests holding authority. By providing these historical markers, Luke grounds John’s prophetic role in a real-world setting, showing that God’s message came in specific circumstances. John is called to the wilderness, symbolizing purity and separation from corruption, preparing him as a messenger of repentance.

Luke 3:3-6 (NKJV)
3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins,
4 as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying:
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled
And every mountain and hill brought low;
The crooked places shall be made straight
And the rough ways smooth;
6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

John’s message of repentance and baptism was a call for a personal and moral transformation. The quote from Isaiah illustrates John’s role in preparing people’s hearts for Jesus. He aimed to “make straight” paths, meaning to remove obstacles to faith and righteousness. This leveling symbolizes spiritual humility and readiness to receive salvation, indicating that God’s redemption is for everyone willing to turn from sin.

Luke 3:7-9 (NKJV)
7 Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
9 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

John rebukes the crowds, challenging their motivations for repentance. He warns them that lineage or heritage cannot save them; only a true change of heart can. “Fruits worthy of repentance” imply that actions should reflect a genuine transformation. John’s imagery of the “ax at the root” suggests imminent judgment, emphasizing the urgency for sincere repentance.

Luke 3:10-14 (NKJV)
10 So the people asked him, saying, “What shall we do then?”
11 He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.”
12 Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?”
13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.”
14 Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?” So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.”

John offers practical advice for different groups, teaching that repentance involves ethical behavior and kindness. Generosity, honesty, and fairness are highlighted as marks of true repentance. John’s responses emphasize social justice and integrity, encouraging people to live in a way that demonstrates their inner transformation and commitment to God’s standards.

Luke 3:15-17 (NKJV)
15 Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not,
16 John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
17 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.”

As people began to wonder if John was the Messiah, he humbly clarified that he was only the forerunner. John’s comparison of his baptism with the coming baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire highlights the transformative power Jesus would bring. The image of the winnowing fan and burning chaff points to Christ’s role as both Savior and Judge, separating the righteous from the unrighteous.

Luke 3:18-20 (NKJV)
18 And with many other exhortations he preached to the people.
19 But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,
20 also added this, above all, that he shut John up in prison.

John’s courage in speaking against sin extended even to political leaders. He openly condemned Herod’s immoral actions, specifically Herod’s relationship with Herodias. This bold stance against corruption eventually led to John’s imprisonment. Luke portrays John as a fearless prophet who upheld righteousness, regardless of the consequences.

Luke 3:21-22 (NKJV)
21 When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened.
22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”

Jesus’ baptism marks the beginning of His public ministry and symbolizes His identification with humanity’s need for repentance. The descent of the Holy Spirit and the Father’s voice affirm Jesus’ divine identity and mission. This moment demonstrates the unity of the Trinity and serves as a divine endorsement of Jesus as the Son of God, setting Him apart for His redemptive work.

Luke 3:23-38 (NKJV)
23 Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli,
24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Janna, the son of Joseph,
25 the son of Mattathiah, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai,
26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathiah, the son of Semei, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah,
27 the son of Joannas, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri,
28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er,
29 the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi,
30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the son of Eliakim,
31 the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattathah, the son of Nathan, the son of David,
32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,
33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,
34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,
35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah,
36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,
37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, the son of Cainan,
38 the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

The genealogy of Jesus traces His ancestry through David back to Adam, emphasizing His rightful place in the line of Israel’s great king and His connection to all humanity. By linking Jesus to Adam, Luke highlights Jesus as the new Adam, bringing redemption where humanity originally fell. This lineage underscores Jesus' role as the Savior for all people, fulfilling God’s promise across generations.