Luke 3:9

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - Luke 3:1-99

Luke 3 THE COMMENCEMENT of John’s ministry is very fully dated in the opening two verses. They show that things were entirely out of course, government was vested in the Gentiles, and even in Israel things were in confusion, for there were two high priests instead of one. Hence repentance was the dominant note in his preaching. Earlier prophets had reasoned with Israel and recalled them to the broken law. John no longer does this, but demands repentance. They were to acknowledge that they were... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Luke 3:7-9

John's preaching: v. 7. Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? v. 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. v. 9. And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees; every tree therefore which bringeth not forth... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Luke 3:1-22

PART SECONDThe Beneficent Activity and Holy Behavior of the Son of Man___________FIRST SECTIONTESTIMONY BORNE TO MESSIAHLuke 3:0A. By the Preaching and Baptism of John. Luke 3:1-221Now, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cæsar, Pontius Pilate being governor [procurator] of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the1 tetrarchof Abilene, 2Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests,2 the word... read more

Alexander MacLaren

Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture - Luke 3:1-14

Luke JOHN THE PREACHER OF REPENTANCE Luk_3:1 - Luk_3:14 . Why does Luke enumerate so carefully the civil and ecclesiastical authorities in Luk_3:1 - Luk_3:2 ? Not only to fix the date, but, in accordance with the world-wide aspect of his Gospel, to set his narrative in relation with secular history; and, further, to focus into one vivid beam of light the various facts which witnessed to the sunken civil and darkened moral and religious condition of the Jews. What more needed to be said to... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Luke 3:1-14

a Preacher of Righteousness Luke 3:1-14 The evangelist sets an emperor, a governor, two high priests, and three tetrarchs in a few lines, as of very subordinate interest, compared with the one man, the child of the desert, whose coming dated a new era and to whom he devotes the remainder of the chapter. After all, it is religious men who really make the history of mankind. “The word of God came unto John the Baptist… and he came. ” That is the true order. Get your message and then come. It... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Luke 3:1-38

Luke marks with great care the time of the ministry of John, employing an emperor, a governor, three tetrarchs, and two high priests to do it. By means of these names a picture of the world at the time is given to us: the empire under Tiberius Caesar, the commonwealth of Israel divided and governed by four of Rome's vassals, the priesthood degraded by a dual leadership contrary to all the law of God. It was then that the Word of God came to John, the most important event of the time. With the... read more

Robert Neighbour

Wells of Living Water Commentary - Luke 3:1-18

John the Forerunner Luke 3:1-18 INTRODUCTORY WORDS I. CHRIST'S TESTIMONY TO JOHN Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, "What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what went ye out for to see? A Prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a Prophet." After this the Lord said, "Verily I say unto you, Among them that are... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 3:1-14

The Powerful Ministry of John Is Described (3:1-14). Many years have passed and the ministry of John the Baptiser, whose birth was described in chapter 1, begins. It is set very definitely in its historical context, and commences with confirmation that he was fulfilling what the prophets had promised. His was a ministry that very much demanded a moral response, and which offered the forgiveness of sins for those who faced up before God concerning their need to have a change of heart and mind... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 3:9

“And even now the axe also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bring forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” For his baptism is no protection against the axe of God. Rather they must recognise that God’s axe is ready to start work, and that He is ready to start cutting at the root of all the trees which do not produce good fruit (compare Luke 13:7-9 and see Isaiah 10:33). And once He has cut them down He will cast them into the fire. Fire is a... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 3:1-20

Luke 3:1-Proverbs : . John the Baptist.— Mark 1:1-Ruth : *, Matthew 3:1-2 Kings : *. also Mark 6:17-Joel : *, Matthew 14:3-2 Kings : *. Lk. now (to Luke 9:50) follows the Marcan account of the Galilean ministry of Jesus and its antecedents; he adds material from Q and other sources. Luke 3:1 . On the chronology, see pp. 652f.; Pontius Pilate, p. 609; Herod (Antipas) and Philip, p. 609. Abilene was the district round Abila between Mt. Hermon and Anti-Lebanon, north-west of Damascus.... read more