Luke 3

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Luke 3:4

As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, And every mountain and hill shall be brought low; And the crooked shall become straight, And the rough ways smooth: And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.This great prophecy is from Isaiah 40:3ff, the same being God's promise of a mighty prophet who would precede the coming of the Messiah, the... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Luke 3:7

He said therefore to the multitudes that went out to be baptized of him, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?THE PREACHING OF JOHN THE BAPTISTThis was addressed to the insincere, those who were willing to submit to a rite, but whose lives bore no fruit of repentance. Farrar is credited with the statement that "Only teachers of transcendent holiness, immediately inspired by God with fervency and insight, may dare to use such language." read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 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.The usual response to any demand that the Israelites of that day should repent was to the effect that they did not need to repent, since they were sons of Abraham. The fact that all the promises were not to Abraham's fleshly descendants, but to his spiritual seed (the people who were of the... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Luke 3:9

And even now the axe lieth at the root of the trees: every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.Axe ... at the root ... This was a prophetic vision of the destruction of the Holy City which would ensue as a result of the rejection of Christ by Israel. The metaphor is that of a farmer who chops down an unfruitful tree and burns it. Too long Israel had been barren, as far as any fruits of righteousness were concerned; and her day of grace at the time John... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Luke 3:10

And the multitude asked him, saying, What then must we do?In general, John's message was that the people should live moral and upright lives, with unselfishness toward the hungry, poor, and the naked, as stated in the next verse. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Luke 3:11

And he answered and said unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath food, let him do likewise.See under preceding verse. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Luke 3:12

And there came also publicans to be baptized, and they say unto him, Teacher, what must we do?The significance here is that a class of persons utterly despised by the Israelites because of their work as tax collectors for the hated Romans, accepted John's baptism, conforming their lives as he directed; but there was an additional affront to Israel in the very theory that such persons could please God while still in the employ of the Romans. Significantly, John did not suggest that they resign... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Luke 3:13

And he said unto him, Extort no more than that which is appointed you.Not tax collecting, but dishonest extortion was viewed as sin. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Luke 3:14

And soldiers also asked him, saying, And we, what must we do? And he said unto them, Extort from no man by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully; and be content with your wages.Even soldiers, just whose soldiers is not clear, were not considered beyond the bounds of redemption. They were not commanded to leave the army but to exhibit attitudes of restraint, truthfulness, and contentment. If these were Roman soldiers, the implications of these words from John must have been extremely... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Luke 3:15

And as the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether haply he were the Christ.JOHN THE BAPTIST ANNOUNCES THE CHRISTThis denotes the widespread, sensational success of John's preaching, and the wonderment on the part of many if, perhaps, this was indeed the Messiah. Such impressions reached Jerusalem, as we read in John; and the Pharisees sent a delegation to ascertain the facts. However, John denied that he was the Christ (John 1:18-28). read more

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