Luke 3:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people.

NIV: And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.

NASB: So with many other exhortations he preached the gospel to the people.

CSB: Then, along with many other exhortations, he proclaimed good news to the people.

NLT: John used many such warnings as he announced the Good News to the people.

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

NKJV: And with many other exhortations he preached to the people.

Before John the Baptist was born, an angel predicted he would be a herald of the Messiah (Luke 1:16–17). As soon as he was born, his family began to anticipate the beginning of his ministry (Luke 1:76). John spent most of his life in solitude (Luke 1:80), developing an interesting lifestyle (Matthew 3:4). When he began to preach, his message was a call for repentance from sin (Luke 3:3–6). This corresponded to prophecies about a herald who would precede Messiah (Malachi 3:1; 4:5–6).

John's message involved exhortations: strong encouragements and passionate advice. He was certainly not afraid to speak his mind (Luke 3:3–9). Beyond what's recorded explicitly in Scripture, John's ministry was likewise bold and outspoken. Unfortunately, John's honesty was not always appreciated. Among the offended is the local ruler, Herod (Luke 3:1). John will openly condemn Herod's relationship with his brothers' wife, calling it illegitimate and against Jewish law (Luke 3:19–20; Matthew 14:1–4). Speaking truth to power, in John's case, leads to prison and eventually to execution (Matthew 14:5–12).

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.