Luke 3:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

NIV: He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

NASB: And he came into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins;

CSB: He went into all the vicinity of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,

NLT: Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.

KJV: And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

NKJV: And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins,

John the Baptist was born under miraculous circumstances (Luke 1:13). There was no question that his role would be to herald the arrival of the Messiah (Luke 1:16–17). To prepare for that mission, John seems to have spent most of his life living remotely, in the desert (Luke 1:80). While the rest of the world went about business as usual, and men were put in positions of power (Luke 3:1–2), God's message was given to this obscure person living in an obscure place, eating odd food, and wearing odd clothes (Matthew 3:4).

John was very careful to clarify that he was not the Promised One (John 1:20). Luke will explain how John the Baptist was a prophesied herald, mentioned in Old Testament books such as Isaiah (Luke 3:4–6). The core of John's preaching message was repentance. His role was to prepare the people of Israel for Christ, by reminding them of their sin and the need to turn from it. Those who responded to his call for repentance declared it publicly through baptism. When the time came, John would point people to Jesus and then John's ministry would begin to subside (John 1:26–34; 3:28–30).

Luke 3:1–6 continues a pattern establishing Luke's account as genuine history. Once again, he ties these events to other historical markers. This also creates contrast: while powerful men are in powerful positions, the "the word of God" comes to a strange hermit living in the desert. Luke's account also provides a connection between John's ministry and the prophecies which predicted it.

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.