Luke 3:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ,

NIV: The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah.

NASB: Now while the people were in a state of expectation and they all were thinking carefully in their hearts about John, whether he himself perhaps was the Christ,

CSB: Now the people were waiting expectantly, and all of them were questioning in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah.

NLT: Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah.

KJV: And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;

NKJV: Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not,

Many came from around the region of Judea to hear John the Baptist preach (Matthew 3:5–6). His message was a call for repentance. He proclaimed the need to turn from sin and live consistently with that repentance (Luke 3:3, 8–9). To those who asked, John gave practical examples of how to "bear fruit in keeping with repentance." Those were aligned with temptations common to various groups in his era (Luke 3:10–14).

John's powerful message and unusual lifestyle (Luke 1:80; Matthew 3:4) certainly made an impression. This led to speculation that he was "the Christ." The word Christos in Greek presents the same idea as the Hebrew term Mashiyach, from which we get the English term Messiah. The people wonder if John is the One promised by Old Testament prophets (Isaiah 9:6–7).

The New Testament records several instances where John refuses to take on this title (Luke 3:16–17; John 1:19–20). John is not the Savior; he is a herald of the Savior (Isaiah 40:3–5; Malachi 3:1; 4:5–6). His purpose is to point others toward Jesus (John 3:28–30).

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 5/2/2024 9:32:15 AM