Luke 3:21-23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Luke 3:21-38

The evangelist mentioned John's imprisonment before Christ's being baptized, though it was nearly a year after it, because he would finish the story of John's ministry, and then introduce that of Christ. Now here we have, I. A short account of Christ's baptism, which had been more fully related by St. Matthew. Jesus came, to be baptized of John, and he was so, Luke 3:21, 22. 1. It is here said that, when all the people were baptized, then Jesus was baptized: all that were then present. Christ... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Luke 3:21-22

3:21-22 When all the people had been baptized and when Jesus too had been baptized, as he was praying, the heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit in bodily form like a dove came down upon him and there was a voice from heaven. "You are my beloved son; in you I am well pleased." The thinkers of the church have always sought an answer to the problem, "Why did Jesus go to John to be baptized?" The baptism of John was a baptism of repentance and it is our conviction that Jesus was without sin.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Luke 3:23-38

3:23-38 When Jesus began his ministry he was about thirty years of age. He was the son (as it was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 3:21

Now when all the people were baptized ,.... That came from several parts to John for this purpose, even as many as he judged to be proper subjects of that ordinance, as many of the common people, publicans, soldiers, &c.; it came to pass that Jesus also being baptized ; of John in Jordan, he coming from Galilee thither on that account: and praying ; after he was baptized, for the coming down of the Spirit upon him, as man, to anoint, and qualify him for his office he was now... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 3:22

And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape ,.... In a corporeal form, in a visible manner, and was seen with bodily eyes, at least by John the administrator; to whom this was a signal of his being the Messiah, and a fresh confirmation of it: like a dove upon him ; either in the form of a dove, or this corporeal form, whatever it was, descended and hovered on him as a dove does: and a voice came from heaven ; at the same time the Holy Ghost came down upon him; which said, thou... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 3:23

And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age ,.... Or Jesus, when he was baptized and began his public ministry, was about thirty years of age: an age at which the priests, under the law, who were typical of Christ, entered on their work, Numbers 4:23 The word, "began", is left out in the Syriac and Persic versions: and is often indeed redundant, as in Luke 3:8 and frequently in Mark's Gospel. The Arabic version renders it, "Jesus began to enter into the thirtieth year", which... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 3:21

Jesus - being baptized - See on Matthew 3:16 , Matthew 3:17 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 3:23

Thirty years of age - This was the age required by the law, to which the priests must arrive before they could be installed in their office: see Numbers 4:3 . Being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph - This same phrase is used by Herodotus to signify one who was only reputed to be the son of a particular person: τουτου παις νομιζεται he was Supposed to be this man's son. Much learned labor has been used to reconcile this genealogy with that in St. Matthew, Matthew 1:1-17, and there... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 3:23

Verse 23 This was also the reason why he delayed his baptism till the thirtieth year of his age, (Luke 3:23.) Baptism was an appendage to the Gospel: and therefore it began at the same time with the preaching of the Gospel. When Christ was preparing to preach the Gospel, he was introduced by Baptism into his office; and at the same time was endued with the Holy Spirit. When John beholds the Holy Spirit descending upon Christ, it is to remind him, that nothing carnal or earthly must be expected... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 3:1-22

THE BAPTISM OF JOHN . read more

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