Luke

By Joyce Webb 2019

Chapter 3        Vs. 1-18

Vs. 1 This verse tells of the Roman governors in the land of Israel.

In Rome, the emperor was Tiberias Caesar.

In the area of Israel called Judea—the governor was Pontius Pilate. In the area of Galilee—-the governor was Herod. Over several other areas —the governor was—Herod’s brother, Philip.

The Romans ruled over Israel at that time and they appointed governors to rule over areas.

Vs. 2 The Jewish people had their own “government” of church leaders. There were 2 High Priests, Annas and Caiaphas.

During this time, the Holy Spirit spoke to John (the Baptist) —Zacharias’ son—-John was living a simple life in the wilderness at this time.

The Holy Spirit spoke to John that it was time for him to begin preaching to the people. He was to prepare the people for when Jesus would begin teaching and doing miracles.

John would preach that the people needed to turn from their sins, ask God for forgiveness, and as a testimony to others—to be baptized in water.

John’s way of preaching was a little different and new for the people. Baptizing in water in the river was new to them.

John said that someone would soon be coming who would baptize them with the Holy Spirit and fire. This was a very new idea for them.

Vs. 3 John came to the river Jordan and began preaching. Telling the people to “repent” (turn away from their sin).

Vs. 4-6 John said that the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, talked about “a voice crying in the wilderness” the voice said “prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”

“Every valley will be filled up and raised up—-every mountain and hill will be brought down low.—-crooked places will be made straight and rough places will be made smooth.”

“All flesh (people) will see the salvation of God.”

When Jesus began to preach—he preached forgiveness for those who were “low”—”in the valley”.

People who were sinners. Everyone knew they were sinners. They were doing bad things.

The people doing the sins—knew they were sinners.

Jesus’ preaching would allow them to see that God loved them and wanted them to come to Him—-He would forgive them.

Jesus also spoke hard words to the Jewish leaders who thought they were so “high” and better than everyone else.

They thought they were so holy. But in their hearts, and in many things they did—they were selfish, mean, they cheated, — on the outside they may look “holy”, but their hearts were full of sin and things not nice.

Jesus’ words to them—would be hard words that would bring them down. Because Jesus’ told them what they were inside their hearts, —-the Jewish church leaders were angry with Jesus.

They thought they were holy. They wanted everyone to respect them and think they were so good. Then Jesus called our their sin. They were angry with him.

Jesus’ teaching lifted up and encouraged those who were “low”

—- and Jesus’ teaching brought down those who were proud and thought they were so high.

Vs. 7,8 9 When the people came to hear John preach–he spoke hard words to them—he called them a “generation” (group) of vipers (poisonous snakes). Wow!

Imagine what they thought about those words!

Then John somewhat mocked them saying “Who warned you to flee or run from God’s anger?”

Then he said to them—begin to show you have repented of your sin. Show “fruit” of right living.

John told them—do not say we are the “children of Abraham”—so we are special—we are good and holy—John told them—you are not so special.

God could make these stones into people and call them the children of Abraham.

Vs. 9 Trees that do not grow fruit are cut down. If the tree does not grow good fruit —it is cut down and the tree is burned in a fire.

Vs. 10 The people understood what he was saying about them. So they asked him, “What can we do?”

Vs. 11 John told them—do things that are right—if you have 2 coats—give one to someone who does not have one. If someone does not have food, give him some.

Vs. 12 Men who were “publicans” came to hear him. They were Jewish men who collected tax money from the Jews to pay to the Roman rulers over them.

The Jews hated paying this tax money to the Romans. And often, these men who colleted the tax money cheated.

They told the people that they owed more money than they did. Then the tax collector kept the extra money for himself. Many of the tax collectors got rich that way.

People hated these tax collectors.

They came to hear John. They asked him what they should do.

Vs 13 John told them–charge the true amount of taxes —do not ask for more.

Vs. 14 Roman soldiers came to hear him. They said, “What should we do?” John told them—Do not hurt anyone. Do not be mean and hurt them. Do not blame people for something they did not do. Be satisfied with your wages–the money you are paid.

Vs. 15 The people watched John and wondered if he was the Messiah—the promised Savior– that God said he would send someday.

Vs. 16 John knew what they were thinking. He said, I baptize you in water, but there is someone who is coming—-I am not worthy to take off his shoes.

(In those days, people wore sandals. The roads were dusty. When someone went into a rich person’s house, they had a servant who would take off the person’s sandals, and wash their dusty feet in a basin of water.)

John is saying that he is not even as good as a servant—-compared to this person who is coming–the real Messiah—Christ.

Then John said—when this person comes, he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and with fire.

I am sure the people were surprised at those words. They probably wondered what that meant.

We know that later on—-after Jesus went back up into heaven—the disciples and other believers gathered together to pray—and the Holy Spirit came down on them and they spoke in languages they had never learned. See Acts chp. 2

Vs. 17 John uses a word-picture of harvest time. When the grain is brought in —-it is on its stems and the grain heads have to be knocked off the stems. They put it on the ground or a wooden floor and they use a long wooden stick that has another stick on the end that moves. It is called a flail. They beat it against the stems to knock off the grain heads.

A large fan is used to blow away the broken stems and pieces of hulls—-these broken pieces are called chaff. They are blown away so the grain heads are left. The grain heads are gathered up into baskets. The chaff is swept up and burned.

John is telling the people—that when the Messiah comes —-he will begin to separate the people—-some will be like good grains—some will be like chaff. The good people will be kept, the bad people will be taken away and burned.

Vs. 18 John preached many other things.