2. John’s preaching 3:7-18 (cf. Matthew 3:7-12; Mark 1:7-8)Essentially John called his hearers to change their minds about their relationship to God and to demonstrate the genuineness of their repentance with righteous conduct (Luke 3:7-14). He also promoted Jesus (Luke 3:15-17). Only Luke included John’s enumeration of specific changes the people needed to make to demonstrate true repentance (Luke 3:10-14). read more
3:9 to (b-8) See Note l, Matthew 3:10 . read more
John’s Ministry. Baptism and Genealogy of Jesus1-14.. Preliminary Ministry of the Baptist (Matthew 3:1; Mark 1:1). See on Mt.1. In the fifteenth year] If the years of Tiberius are reckoned from the death of Augustus, who died 14 a.d., the date is 28, 29 a.d. Most authorities, however, suppose that the years of Tiberius are here reckoned from 11 a.d., when he was made the colleague of Augustus in the empire, with equal authority over all the provinces and armies. This gives the date 25, 26 a.d.... read more
(3-9) And he came into all the country . . .—The words paint the mission-work of John somewhat more vividly than those of St. Matthew and St. Mark, who represent the people flocking to Him from Jerusalem and Judæa. The two facts together complete the picture.The baptism of repentance.—See Notes on Matthew 3:1-11, and Mark 1:4-6. In his description of the Baptism, St. Luke agrees verbally with the latter. read more
Luke 3:2 Prophets have passed for something as well as priests in making God's will known; and Established Church priesthoods have not been generally on particularly good terms with prophets. The only occasion on which the two orders are said to have been in harmony was when the prophets prophesied lies, and the priests bore rule in their name. Froude. Luke 3:2 The young who are of healthy, lively blood and clean conscience have either emotion or imagination to fold them defensively from an... read more
Chapter 6THE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS.WHEN the Old Testament closed, prophecy had thrown upon the screen of the future the shadows of two persons, cast in heavenly light. Sketched in outline rather than in detail, still their personalities were sufficiently distinct to attract the gaze and hopes of the intervening centuries; while their differing, though related missions were clearly recognized. One was the Coming ONE, who should bring the "consolation" of Israel, and who should Himself be that... read more
II. The Beginnings of His Ministry -- Chapter 3-4:13 CHAPTER 3 1. The Ministry of John the Baptist. (Luke 3:1-14 .) 2. His Testimony to Christ and his Imprisonment. (Luke 3:15-20 .) 3. The Baptism of the Lord Jesus. (Luke 3:21-22 .) 4. The Genealogy of Mary, the Mother of our Lord. (Luke 3:23-38 .) Luke 3:1-14 Eighteen more years of silence follow. It is broken by the voice of the forerunner, John, who preached at Jordan the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. He is not... read more
A VOICE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS (vs.1-20) The first two verses of this chapter establish the precise time of the appearance of John the Baptist in his ministry, so that the reality of it cannot be disputed, and they indicate that this solemn call of Israel to repentance was at a time when wickedness was prospering in high places. Tiberius Caesar was notorious for his cruelty to the Jews, specially bitter toward them, though other religions meant nothing to him either. Pontius Pilate's... read more
PREPARATION FOR PUBLIC MINISTRY MINISTRY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST John the Baptist’s ministry is the first event here (Luke 3:1-22 ). Also he quotes more fully from Isaiah 40:0 than the preceding evangelists, and for the purpose of giving the words, “all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” The quotation is from the Septuagint, and is in harmony with Luke’s objective towards the verses, as he distinctively shows that the grace of God in Christ is for all people who will accept it, and not for... read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 3:7-9
Luke’s introduction of John’s message is more general than Matthew’s, but his summary of John’s preaching is almost identical to Matthew’s. However, Luke never reported that John said, "Repent, for the kingdom is at hand" (Matthew 3:2). Luke waited to introduce the kingdom theme until Jesus began His ministry (Luke 4:43).As adders try to escape before an approaching brush fire, so the Jews of John’s day were trying to escape God’s coming judgment by fleeing to him for baptism. [Note: Marshall,... read more