Luke 3:10. What shall we do then?— Ποιησομεν, the same word as that used in Luk 3:8 and rendered bring forth; and consequently it should be translated in the same manner, to make the propriety of the reply more conspicuous.—Bring forth therefore fruits, Luke 3:8.—Ver. 10. What fruits shall we bring forth? read more
Luke 3:12. Then came also publicans— The publicans, or tax-gatherers, wishing by all means to keep their places under the Messiah, might be anxious to know what qualifications were necessary for that purpose: or rather, since our Lord hath elsewhere declared, that the tax-gatherers, with the rest of the people, were sincere in their professions of repentance, Mat 21:32 we may believe that the gravity of theBaptist'sexhortation,thevehemencewithwhich he delivered his threatenings, and his... read more
Luke 3:14. And the soldiers likewise— It was the custom of the Romans to recruit their armies in the conquered provinces; wherefore, as the Jews did not scruple to engage in a military life, many of them might nowhave been in the emperor's service. Or we may suppose, that after Judea was made a province, the Romans took into their pay the Jewish troops which Herod and his son Archelaus had maintained; for it is certain that the soldiers who now addressed the Baptist were not heathens, otherwise... read more
Luke 3:15. And as the people were in expectation,— John had now acquired an extraordinary reputation by the austerity of his life, the subject of his sermons, the fervencyofhisexhortations,and the freedom, impartiality, and courage with which he rebuked his hearers: yet his fame received no small addition from the various rumours current in the country at that time; for the vision which his father Zacharias had seen in the temple, the coming of the Eastern philosophers to Jerusalem, the... read more
Luke 3:17. Purge his floor,— Cleanse, &c. read more
Luke 3:18. Preached he— Ευηγγελιζετο, He evangelized, or preached as an evangelist. See Luke 2:10. It is observable, that in the parallel place; Mat 3:1 the word κηρυσσων is used, which implies the notice given by Christ's herald, who is sent before to make preparation for his prince, and to announce his approach. Dr. Doddridge renders and paraphrases the present verse thus: and offering many other exhortations to them, to the same effect, he published to the people these glad tidings of the... read more
Luke 3:21. Now when all the people were baptized,— Now while all the people were receiving baptism. Heylin. If we reflect on the number of the people who followed John, and were baptized by him, and the regard which they expressed for him before and after his death, and yet that no sect was produced in consequence of such a belief and baptism, it will afford a very good argument in favour of the superior power, dignity, character, and office of Jesus. It is observable, that all the three voices... read more
Luke 3:22. Thou art my beloved Son;— See on Matthew 3:17. The epithet beloved given to the Son on this occasion, marks the greatness of the Father's affection for him, and distinguishes him from all others to whom the title of God's Son had been given. Accordingly we find our Lord alluding to it with peculiar pleasure, in his intercessory prayer, John 17:26. It was therefore the voice of God the Father which was heard at Christ's baptism; probably loud like thunder, as in the instance recorded... read more
Luke 3:23. And Jesus himself began to be, &c.— Our Lord having received these different testimonies from his Father, from the Spirit, and from John the Baptist, all given in the presence of the multitudes assembled to John's baptism, began his ministry when he was about thirty years old, the age at which the priests entered on their sacred ministrations in the temple. See the beginning of the first note on this chapter. To understand St. Luke's account of our Lord's age at his baptism... read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Luke 3:7
Luke 3:7. O generation— Ye brood. Some would read the last clause, τις υποδειξει ;—Who will warn you to flee? A mere servile fear of punishment, says Dr. Heylin, was not a sufficient motive to a total reformation, and would soon wear out of their minds; John therefore censures it as defective. read more