1 Now 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,
2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
4 As 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.
5 Every 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;
6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
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?
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.
9 And 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.
10 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
11 He 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.
12 Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?
13 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
14 And 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.
15 And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;
16 John 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:
17 Whose 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.
18 And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.
19 But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,
20 Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.
21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
22 And 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.
23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,
24 Which 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,
25 Which 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,
26 Which 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,
27 Which 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,
28 Which 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,
29 Which 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,
30 Which 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,
31 Which 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,
32 Which 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,
33 Which 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,
34 Which 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,
35 Which 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,
36 Which 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,
37 Which 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,
38 Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.
Luke Chapter 3 of the King James Version (KJV) Holy Bible is a fascinating chapter, rich in meaning and significance. It serves as a critical juncture in the biblical narrative, marking the commencement of John the Baptist's ministry, the baptism of Jesus Christ, and the initiation of Jesus' public ministry. The chapter is divided into two main sections: the ministry of John the Baptist (verses 3-20) and the baptism and genealogy of Jesus Christ (verses 21-38).
The chapter begins by setting the historical context for John the Baptist's ministry. It was the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, and Pontius Pilate was governor of Judaea. John the Baptist, the son of Zacharias, was living in the wilderness, and he received a word from God. He travelled through the region around the Jordan River, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The chapter includes a quote from the Book of Isaiah, which describes a voice crying in the wilderness, preparing the way for the Lord.
John the Baptist's message was a call to moral and ethical reform. He urged people to share their belongings with those in need, to be honest in their dealings, and to treat others fairly. He warned that the "wrath to come" would not spare those who merely relied on their ancestral lineage for salvation. John also foretold the coming of one who was more powerful than he was, who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.
John's boldness in proclaiming this message and his criticism of Herod the tetrarch's illicit marriage led to his imprisonment. This event marks the end of John's public ministry and the beginning of Jesus' ministry.
The second half of Luke Chapter 3 focuses on the baptism and genealogy of Jesus Christ. Jesus came from Nazareth to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. When Jesus was baptized and was praying, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. A voice came from heaven, saying, "Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased" (Luke 3:22 KJV). This divine affirmation of Jesus as the Son of God signifies the beginning of His public ministry.
The chapter concludes with the genealogy of Jesus, tracing his lineage back to Adam, the son of God. This genealogy serves to establish Jesus' credentials as the promised Messiah, linking him to the royal line of David and the patriarch Abraham, and ultimately to Adam and God.
There are several key themes that emerge in Luke Chapter 3. The first is the theme of repentance. John the Baptist's message was a call to repentance. He urged people to turn away from their sins and seek forgiveness from God. This call to repentance is not merely about feeling guilty or regretful; it is a call to change one's life and align it with God's will.
The second key theme is that of preparation. John the Baptist is portrayed as a forerunner, preparing the way for the coming of the Messiah. His ministry was to prepare the hearts of the people for the arrival of Jesus Christ.
The third theme is divine affirmation. The baptism of Jesus serves as a divine affirmation of His identity as the Son of God. The voice from heaven declares Jesus as God's beloved Son, with whom He is well pleased. This divine affirmation sets the stage for Jesus' public ministry and His mission of salvation.
Finally, the theme of genealogy is significant. The genealogy of Jesus Christ establishes His credentials as the promised Messiah. It links Him to the royal line of David, the patriarch Abraham, and ultimately to Adam and God. This genealogy affirms Jesus' divine and human nature, reinforcing His unique role in God's plan of salvation.
Luke Chapter 3 holds profound meaning and significance. The ministry of John the Baptist underscores the necessity of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. It reminds us that genuine repentance involves a change of heart and a commitment to live in accordance with God's will. The message of John the Baptist challenges us to examine our lives, turn away from our sins, and seek God's forgiveness.
The baptism of Jesus Christ signifies the beginning of His public ministry. The divine affirmation of Jesus as the Son of God affirms His unique role in God's plan of salvation. It assures us of God's love and approval of Jesus, who came to seek and save the lost. This event invites us to recognize and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
The genealogy of Jesus Christ underscores His identity as the promised Messiah. It affirms His divine and human nature, making Him the perfect mediator between God and humanity. This genealogy invites us to trust in Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises and the source of our salvation.
In conclusion, Luke Chapter 3 is a powerful chapter that calls us to repentance, prepares us for the coming of Jesus Christ, affirms Jesus' identity as the Son of God, and establishes His credentials as the promised Messiah. It invites us to turn away from our sins, recognize Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and trust in Him for our salvation. It is a chapter that challenges us, comforts us, and calls us to a deeper faith in Jesus Christ.
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