The Bible — World English Bible
Luke 3
In brief
Luke 3 places the story in the real world, under Tiberius Caesar and Pontius Pilate, at the moment when the word of God comes to John in the wilderness. John calls for repentance and prepares the way of the Lord, and he answers practically the crowd, the tax collectors and the soldiers who ask what they should do. Then Jesus is baptized: heaven opens, the Spirit descends and the Father speaks. The chapter ends with the genealogy of Jesus, traced back to Adam.
The chapter in 5 parts
1Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,
2in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.
3He came into all the region around the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for remission of sins.
4As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.
5Every valley will be filled. Every mountain and hill will be brought low. The crooked will become straight, and the rough ways smooth.
6All flesh will see God’s salvation.’ ”
7He said therefore to the multitudes who went out to be baptized by him, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8Therefore produce fruits worthy of repentance, and don’t begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father;’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones!
9Even now the ax also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire.”
10The multitudes asked him, “What then must we do?”
11He answered them, “He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise.”
12Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what must we do?”
13He said to them, “Collect no more than that which is appointed to you.”
14Soldiers also asked him, saying, “What about us? What must we do?” He said to them, “Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages.”
15As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Christ,
16John answered them all, “I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire,
17whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
18Then with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people,
19but Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done,
20added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.
21Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also had been baptized, and was praying. The sky was opened,
22and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form like a dove on him; and a voice came out of the sky, saying “You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased.”
23Jesus himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years old, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,
24the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,
25the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai,
26the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah,
27the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri,
28the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er,
29the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi,
30the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the son of Eliakim,
31the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,
32the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,
33the son of Amminadab, the son of Aram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,
34the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,
35the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah,
36the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,
37the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan,
38the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
Key verses
Therefore produce fruits worthy of repentance, and don’t begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father;’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones!
John refuses to let people lean on their ancestry or religious belonging. True repentance is recognized by its fruits, that is, by a life that changes.
The multitudes asked him, “What then must we do?” He answered them, “He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise.” Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what must we do?” He said to them, “Collect no more than that which is appointed to you.” Soldiers also asked him, saying, “What about us? What must we do?” He said to them, “Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages.”
Three groups ask the same question and receive fitting answers: share, do not demand more than is due, do not abuse your strength. Repentance touches everyone's concrete life.
John answered them all, “I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire,
John takes his proper place. He baptizes with water, but the one who comes is more powerful and will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also had been baptized, and was praying. The sky was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form like a dove on him; and a voice came out of the sky, saying “You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased.”
This passage brings together the Son who prays, the Spirit who descends and the Father who speaks. Many see here one of the texts where the Trinity appears most clearly.
the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
The genealogy goes back to Adam, son of God. Luke connects Jesus to all humanity, and not only to Israel.
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Frequently asked questions about Luke 3
Why was Jesus baptized (Luke 3:21)?
Jesus had no sin to confess. By being baptized with the people, he identified with the sinners he came to save, and he began his public ministry. Christian traditions understand this act in similar ways: humility, obedience to the Father, and a foretaste of the cross, where he would take the place of sinners.
What are the fruits worthy of repentance in Luke 3:8?
John asks for a life that truly changes, not only words or religious belonging. When people ask him what to do, he answers concretely: share your goods, stay honest in your work, do not abuse your power. Repentance begins in the heart and shows in actions.
Who is John the Baptist in Luke 3?
John, son of Zechariah, is the prophet who prepares the way for Jesus. He preaches in the wilderness, near the Jordan, a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He presents himself as the voice announced by Isaiah, and he says that the one who comes after him is far greater than he is. He will later be imprisoned by Herod.
Why does Luke give the genealogy of Jesus?
Luke's genealogy goes back from Jesus to Adam, while Matthew's starts from Abraham. Luke thus shows that Jesus belongs to all humanity. The list ends with “son of God,” which recalls the origin of man and prepares the account where Jesus, faithful, overcomes temptation.
Articles quoting Luke 3
World English Bible translation — public domain.