Luke 3:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And the crowds asked him, "What then shall we do?"

NIV: "What should we do then?" the crowd asked.

NASB: And the crowds were questioning him, saying, 'Then what are we to do?'

CSB: "What then should we do?" the crowds were asking him.

NLT: The crowds asked, 'What should we do?'

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

NKJV: So the people asked him, saying, “What shall we do then?”

John the Baptist spent most of his life living in the desert, preparing to preach repentance (Luke 1:80). When the time came (Luke 3:1–6), his message was blunt: you cannot rely on rituals or heritage to be saved. All must sincerely repent of sin (Luke 3:7–9). In response, the people ask what to do. The messages John gives in the next verses are targeted at specific groups of people, along with their most common temptations (Luke 3:11–14).

The "crowds" here to see John are made up of independent seekers, as well as local religious leaders and their supporters (John 1:29). Much of John's harsh tone seems to be directed at these authority figures (Matthew 3:7–12). Sincere members of John's audience would want to know what, exactly, they should do in response to his message. Insincere listeners might ask the question, "what then shall we do" in a challenging way, as if to say, "what are you implying?"

Luke 3:7–22 is a relatively brief explanation of John the Baptist's ministry. John's preaching calls on people to repent and turn from their sins. At the same time, he is careful to declare that he is not Christ—John is only a herald of the Messiah. Luke's account quickly summarizes this message, John's conflict with Herod the Tetrarch, and the baptism of Jesus. Parallel accounts are found in Matthew 3, Mark 1:1–11, and John 1:19–34.

The early part of Luke's gospel shifts back and forth between the histories of Jesus and John the Baptist. Chapter 3 starts with historical and prophetic context about John. It then depicts some of John's interactions with local religious leaders. Luke gives only a brief description of Jesus' baptism. He also touches on John's criticism of Herod the Tetrarch, which would eventually result in John's execution (Matthew 14:10–12). The chapter ends with a genealogy of Christ.

Chapters 1 and 2 provided early history for both John the Baptist and Jesus. Chapter 3 establishes John's preaching ministry and its connection to Jesus Christ. The chapter ends with a genealogy which some believe runs through Mary's side of the family. Chapter 4 transitions from Jesus' baptism into His public ministry, by describing His fasting in the wilderness and temptation by Satan.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.

Accessed 11/21/2024 4:34:25 PM