Luke 3:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened,

NIV: When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened

NASB: Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened,

CSB: When all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized. As he was praying, heaven opened,

NLT: One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened,

KJV: Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

NKJV: When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened.

Curiously, Luke does not give details about Jesus' baptism; he simply notes that it happened. The other three gospel writers give more time and detail to the event. Since Mark (Mark 1:9–11) and Matthew (Matthew 3:13–17) produced their accounts before Luke's, it's possible Luke felt their description of Jesus' baptism was enough. The simple phrase "when Jesus also had been baptized" implies the original reader—established early on as a believer (Luke 1:3–4)—had some knowledge of the event already. The only details Luke offers (Luke 3:22) are those that continue to establish the point made by John the Baptist: that Jesus is the Promised One sent by God (Luke 3:16–17).

Luke uses the expression "all the people" in reference to those baptized. This is the same style used by Matthew (Matthew 3:5–6) and Mark (Mark 1:5). This is not a literal claim that every single living person was baptized before Jesus. Rather, it's a reference to John's fame in that region (Mark 11:29–32). In this case, it suggests Jesus' baptism occurred at the height of John the Baptist's popularity.

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.