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Summary

Luke 3:1–6 – John the Baptist Prepares the Way

What happens:
In the fifteenth year of Emperor Tiberius, John the Baptist begins preaching in the wilderness of Judea. He calls people to repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins. Crowds come out to be baptized. John quotes Isaiah, saying a voice cries in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord, making paths straight and valleys filled.

What it means:
John fulfills prophecy by announcing the coming Messiah and urging spiritual renewal. Baptism symbolizes cleansing and readiness to receive God’s saving work. Preparing hearts for Jesus involves removing obstacles and healing the way for his arrival.


Luke 3:7–14 – Call to Repentance and Ethical Living

What happens:
People ask John what they should do to show repentance. He tells tax collectors to collect no more than required and soldiers to be content with their pay. Everyone is instructed to share with those in need and to practice honesty and fairness.

What it means:
True repentance transforms behavior, not just words. Ethical living reflects genuine change of heart. God’s kingdom begins when justice, generosity, and integrity shape community life.


Luke 3:15–17 – Hope and Expectation

What happens:
The crowd wonders if John is the Messiah. He clarifies that he baptizes with water, but one more powerful is coming who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. He speaks of winnowing and gathering, separating wheat from chaff.

What it means:
John points beyond himself to Jesus, emphasizing the superior power and purifying work of the Messiah. His imagery of separation warns of both salvation for those who believe and judgment for those who reject.


Luke 3:18–20 – Rebuke of Herod

What happens:
John continues preaching and rebukes Herod the tetrarch for marrying his brother’s wife. Herod adds John’s imprisonment to his list of offenses, shutting him in prison.

What it means:
Speaking truth to power carries risk. John’s courage in confronting moral failure models prophetic witness. God’s messenger faces opposition, yet his message stands firm.


Application

  • Prepare your heart for Jesus by removing barriers through repentance and faith
  • Let true repentance shape your actions in fairness, generosity, and honesty
  • Look to Jesus for spiritual renewal through the Holy Spirit and embrace both his grace and the call to holiness
  • Be willing to speak truth with courage, even when it challenges authority
  • Trust that God’s coming kingdom brings both cleansing love and righteous judgment

Bible

1Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,

2Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

3And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

4As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

5Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;

6And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

7Then 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?

8Bring 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.

9And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

10And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?

11He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

12Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?

13And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.

14And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

15And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;

16John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

17Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.

18And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.

19But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,

20Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

21Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

22And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

23And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,

24Which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph,

25Which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, which was the son of Naum, which was the son of Esli, which was the son of Nagge,

26Which was the son of Maath, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Semei, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Juda,

27Which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri,

28Which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of Elmodam, which was the son of Er,

29Which was the son of Jose, which was the son of Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi,

30Which was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of Eliakim,

31Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David,

32Which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson,

33Which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda,

34Which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor,

35Which was the son of Saruch, which was the son of Ragau, which was the son of Phalec, which was the son of Heber, which was the son of Sala,

36Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech,

37Which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan,

38Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.

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