Luke 3
Luke 3 opens the door to Jesus’ public ministry just before it begins in earnest, through the ministry of John the Baptist, the “crying voice in the wilderness.” This chapter can be divided into four main parts. First, John the Baptist’s appearance and ministry (verses 1–6). Second, exhortation regarding John’s call to repentance and the fruit of life (verses 7–14). Third, the scene in which Jesus is baptized and the presence of the Holy Spirit (verses 15–22). Finally, Jesus’ genealogy (verses 23–38) is recorded.
1verseNow in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,
2verseduring the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.
3verseHe came into all the region around the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for remission of sins.
4verseAs it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.
5verseEvery valley will be filled. Every mountain and hill will be brought low. The crooked will become straight, and the rough ways smooth.
6verseAll flesh will see God’s salvation.’”
7verseHe said therefore to the multitudes who went out to be baptized by him, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8verseTherefore produce fruits worthy of repentance, and don’t begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father;’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones!
9verseEven now the ax also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
10verseThe multitudes asked him, “What then must we do?”
11verseHe answered them, “He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise.”
12verseTax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what must we do?”
13verseHe said to them, “Collect no more than that which is appointed to you.”
14verseSoldiers also asked him, saying, “What about us? What must we do?” He said to them, “Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages.”
15verseAs the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Christ,
16verseJohn answered them all, “I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire.
17verseHis winnowing fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
18verseThen with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people,
19versebut Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done,
20verseadded this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.
21verseNow when all the people were baptized, Jesus also had been baptized and was praying. The sky was opened,
22verseand the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form like a dove on him; and a voice came out of the sky, saying “You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased.”
23verseJesus himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years old, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,
24versethe son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,
25versethe son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai,
26versethe son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah,
27versethe son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri,
28versethe son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er,
29versethe son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi,
30versethe son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the son of Eliakim,
31versethe son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,
32versethe son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,
33versethe son of Amminadab, the son of Aram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,
34versethe son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,
35versethe son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah,
36versethe son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,
37versethe son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan,
38versethe son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
John the Baptist’s Appearance and Message
Against the historical backdrop in which the Roman emperor and Israel’s rulers are mentioned, God’s word comes to John in the wilderness. He fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy and proclaims a baptism of repentance. John is introduced not as a mere moral crier, but as someone who carries the prophetic authority of the Old Testament.
Exhortation on Repentance and the Fruit of Life
John warns against the idea that the Jews of that time claim righteousness based solely on their bloodline as “descendants of Abraham,” and emphasizes that true repentance must be revealed in a change of life—that is, in “worthy fruit.” He also presents practical examples tailored to various groups of people (such as tax collectors and soldiers), showing that faith cannot be separated from real life.
Jesus’ Baptism and the Presence of the Holy Spirit
People wonder whether John is the Messiah, but John points instead to Jesus, saying, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming.” When Jesus receives baptism, the heavens open, the Holy Spirit comesssss down like a dove, and God’s voice is heard. This scene is an important event that reveals Jesus’ identity and mission.
The Genealogy of Jesus
In the final section (verses 23–38), Jesus’ genealogy is recorded. This genealogy shows Jesus as the representative of all humanity, rising from Adam and, even further, to God. Luke emphasizes that Jesus is “the Son of God” and the Savior for everyone.
Points for Reflection
- What is true repentance, and how can it be revealed through the fruit in my life?
- The genealogy of Jesus reminds us of God’s salvation for all people. How am I receiving the universality of this gospel?
Try Applying It to Me
- Let’s examine how “the fruit of repentance” is being put into practice in my life today.
- In the place where I belong (home, workplace, society), let’s practice one concrete way to share with someone the love and hope of the gospel.
