#1355 Luke 3 Part 1 The Voice

 

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, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord,

make his paths straight.

5 Every valley shall be filled,

and every mountain and hill shall be made low,

and the crooked shall become straight,

and the rough places shall become level ways,

6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

7 He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 9 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

10 And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” 11 And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”

15 As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, 16 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

18 So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people. 19 But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother's wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done, 20 added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison.

21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3: 1-22 ESV

Luke 3: 1-22

In the fifteenth year - At this point in history in this particular geographical area. The Israelites have been under gentile rule since the Babylonian captivity. The northern kingdom since before that, the time of the Assyrians. Assyria was broken by Babylon, Babylon took the southern kingdom of Judah, then the Persians took Babylon, the Greeks took Persia, and now during Jesus time Israel is under Roman rule. 

John the son of Zechariah - This is John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, the herald of good news. Like the prophets of old, the word of the Lord comes to John, or upon him; it is his calling. Jeremiah paints a very powerful picture of what this looks like, and it requires the power of God or the speaker will crumble. It is an artesian well of sorts.

In the high priesthood of Annas (hannas) and Caiaphas (Kaiaphas) (See gotquestions on Annas and Caiaphas). While Caiaphas (18-36 AD) was the ruling high priest at the beginning of John the Baptist's ministry, his predecessor Annas (6-16 AD) still exerted considerable influence as we see from passages like John 18:13; Acts 4:6. NET Note says that "Use of the singular high priesthood to mention two figures is unusual but accurate, since Annas was the key priest from A.D. 6–15 and then his relatives were chosen for many of the next several years. After two brief tenures by others, his son-in-law Caiaphas came to power and stayed there until A.D. 36."

The Word (rhema) of God came to John the son of Zacharias - Click here for detailed summary of John. This description of the inception of John's ministry is unique to Luke's Gospel and only Luke tells us his father's name was Zacharias (cf Lk 1:5, 8-20+) which is given to differentiate him from other Jews who were named John. - Precept Austin

Notice also that the phrase the Word (rhema) of God came to John literally reads the word of God came upon John! G. Campbell Morgan observes, “The force of the preposition (upon, Greek epi) is that of pressure from above. The word of the Lord came UPON him, pressed down UPON him from above! Here is the qualification for preaching. The message of God comes UPON a man.” - Precept Austin

More on the Baptist

…8For whenever I speak, I cry out; I proclaim violence and destruction. For the word of the LORD has become to me a reproach and derision all day long. 9If I say, “I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name,” His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones, and I become weary of holding it in, and I cannot prevail. 10For I have heard the whispering of many: “Terror is on every side! Report him; let us report him!” All my trusted friends watch for my fall: “Perhaps he will be deceived so that we may prevail against him and take our vengeance upon him.”… Jeremiah 20: 8-10

Proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins - This will be the message associated with the Lamb of God. It is the best news ever, but men won't receive it for they are more inclined towards their sins, more drunken with their own ideals of goodness. Jesus will call for us to repent and believe, for the Kingdom is at hand, He is our entry, and what good is it to hold on to that which will be eternally hated by God. I ask that you change your mind, that you realize your state, that you accept what God says of you, and I plead with Him that He gives you a new heart and mind to do so. 

…18But in this way God has fulfilled what He foretold through all the prophets, saying that His Christ would suffer. 19Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away, 20that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus, the Christ, who has been appointed for you.… Acts 3: 18-20

The voice of one crying in the wilderness - This is from Isaiah, telling of one who would come preaching repentance, clearing the way for the Lord. He is like the heralds of old that went before the kings, repairing the roads and bridges so there was nothing to slow their progression.

…2“Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her forced labor has been completed; her iniquity has been pardoned. For she has received from the hand of the LORD double for all her sins.” 3A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. 4Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill made low; the uneven ground will become smooth, and the rugged land a plain.… Isaiah 40: 2-4

You brood of vipers - John had not yet learned how to suck up, and his message is good news to those that receive it, but it is judgment to hypocrites. Being called a viper was far from a compliment, especially to a people who saw serpents as unclean and representative of the devil. Jesus teaches the Pharisees and Sadducees in the same way.

John MacArthur notes that "John’s message stands in sharp contrast to the “cheap grace” and “easy-believism” that characterizes much watered-down contemporary preaching. Such deficient preaching strips the gospel of its warning that sinners have violated God’s law and face His wrath and judgment in eternal hell unless they repent. The predictable result of a shallow, superficial gospel presentation devoid of a biblical call to repentance is a shallow, superficial, non-saving response. As a result, churches are filled with many who profess to know Jesus Christ, but since they have never repented the Lord will say to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness” (Matt. 7:23). Although they imagine themselves to be on the narrow way that leads to eternal life, they are in reality on the broad way that leads to eternal destruction (Mt 7:13–14; cf. 25:12; Acts 8:13, 18–23; 2 Tim. 3:5; Titus 1:16)." (See Luke Commentary) - J Mac from Precept Austin

…43Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message. 44You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies. 45But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me!… John 8: 43-45

Who warned you to flee (pheugo) from the wrath to come - These men did not want the Messiah. They wanted a "fire insurance policy" or a "free ticket" (instead of an "all day pass" they wanted an "all eternity pass!") granting entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven! What a picture John presents -- what happens when there is a fire in the desert? The snakes flee from the heat of the fire. God's coming wrath would be far worse, beginning being cast into Hades (a "place of torment" Lk 16:28+), and ending with Hades being thrown into the Lake of fire and brimstone (Rev 20:15+), where "they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." (Rev 20:10+), Whether this is literal or figurative fire, the effect is to produce eternal torment. John emphasizes this coming wrath of God, a truth which should stir a fear in every human heart and in turn motivate a desire for genuine repentance.

The wrath (orge) to come - Literally "the (present tense - continually) coming wrath." This is God's righteous judgment coming upon this sinful orb and described in vivid detail in Revelation 6-19+ and the Great White Throne judgment in Rev 20:11-15+. Ps 2:12 says "His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!" (Have you hidden with Christ in God by grace through faith? Col 3:3+) The present tense is used in a proleptic sense for so certain is the wrath of God to come to pass in the future. This phrase is reminiscent of Romans 1:18+ where Paul writes that "For the wrath (orge) of God is (present tense - continually being) revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who (CONTINUALLY, ACTIVELY, WILLFULLY) suppress the truth in unrighteousness." - Precept Austin

We have Abraham as our father - John was letting them know that this was no trinket religion of outer form or birthright. God could raise up stones to Abraham, after all, He created man from the dust. People are prone to this even today, "I am related to this famous person', or 'I traced my ancestry back to an inventor, a ruler, a warrior, a philanthropist." So what, they are all sinners in need of a Savior just like you. God is looking for obedience that comes from a changed heart. What does He tell "the teacher of Israel", Nicodemus, "you must be born again." You won't go to heaven because you're a good person or because you are related to someone who you think is a good person, there's none righteous and so you will need a righteousness that comes from somewhere else, from Christ, the only good person. 

…26I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances. 28Then you will live in the land that I gave your forefathers; you will be My people, and I will be your God.… Ezekiel 36: 26-28

Whoever has two tunics - Israel had turned away from the idolatry of carved images, but not from greed. Jesus is going to correct them of their breaking the law regarding their parents, of stealing widows houses and not protecting the fatherless. It has been said that a nations moral well being can be best seen in how it treats it's old and it's young. In my time I have seen respect for elders decline and men of power be protected who have gone after the young. We also sanction the killing of human beings that we consider to be a burden, using words like "clump of cells and viability", we deem them less than human, not as valuable as our freedom to sin and live with neither repercussion or responsibility. A sign of true repentance from this is the desire to give and help others, to not want to see your brother left needy. Jesus extends this even to our enemies and this is also what the apostles taught. 

…19Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” 20On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.… Romans 12: 19-21

Tax collectors - These were considered by all to be the dregs of that society, and good for them because many of them could see it. Matthew was a tax collector who became a disciple. It's the "good" people who find it so difficult to accept the need; they are the most delusional about their state, and everyone confirms to them what they already believe about themselves. If the tax collector believes that he is a sinner, and trusts in God to save him then the fruit of it will be that he no longer rips people off.

Soldiers asked Him - Now this is a problem everywhere as far as I can see. The ones with the guns that don't allow others to have them become tyrants, and might makes right. When people sent food overseas for the people of Africa, everyone had a feel good "We are the world" moment, but a lot of food rots on docks because of bad governance, and those that have the guns then keep the food for power. There are also bad police that use their badges to extort money, or hold back drugs from a bust and then filter it through a criminal they allow to do the very thing they arrest someone else for. John the Baptist tells them to be satisfied with their wages, and we should all ponder this no matter what our vocation.

He Who is mightier than I is coming - John did not want them to think that He was the Messiah, that was not His job, his honor was that Jesus was glorified, that he prepared the way before Him and pointed to Him. 

The chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire - Don't hear a lot of preaching like that these days. Most that get into the pulpit are not true shepherds, they don't warn because they look to fill the seats, and they can't stand the thought of someone not liking them.

That he locked up John in prison - You locked up your watchman for sounding the warning, for saying what God would have us to say. You are a fornicator, an idolater, an adulterer, and an incestuous buffoon, lacking any of God's qualities for a leader, and now you top it off by locking up the most righteous example among you. Herod locked up the one who was honest with him, and honest even knowing that it could cost him his life. That's the guy that loves you. He's the one telling you of the spiritual and things of eternal consequence. Herod wanted Joel Osteen but got stuck with John the Baptist. 

You are My beloved Son - This is the greatest testimony to the person of Jesus, the Father and the Spirit bearing witness. All three together at the same time, and for those that think God changes from one person to another like you neve see Clark Kent and Superman at the same time, well, I'm sorry, this dispels that.