Luke 3:15-38

15 As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, 16 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

18 So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people. 19 But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done, 20 added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison.

21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

23 Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, 25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, 26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, 27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, 28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, 29 the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, 30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, 31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, 32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon, 33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, 35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, 36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, 37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, 38 the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time


The impact of John’s message led them to question whether he was in fact the Messiah. John clarified that by comparison to Jesus, he wasn’t even worthy to untie Jesus’ sandals. John’s baptism was of water and intended to prepare the nation of Israel for Messiah’s arrival. It was a baptism for believers and unbelievers. Jesus’ baptism would impart the Holy Spirit into the lives of believers and would be the result of inner spiritual renewal. Jesus will gather those who believed into the safety of His barn while separating out the chaff of unbelievers who will face the judgement of hell.

John preached the good news to people and was emphatic about renouncing sin. He rebuked Herod for marrying Herodias, the wife of his half-brother, whom he married after divorcing his own wife. John also rebuked Herod for the other sins he had committed. Because of this, John was locked up in prison. John is a wonderful example of someone who stood solidly by his convictions even at the cost of his freedom and ultimately his life.

The conclusion of John’s ministry of baptism was when He baptised Jesus. At that moment the heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove and the Father gave His blessing of Jesus’ ministry. Jesus was baptised in order to represent the nation and identify with their sins even though He had no sin to repent of.

Jesus began his ministry at age 30 which was the same age Old Testament priests entered service (Num 4:30). It was also the age David began His reign (2 Sam 5:4). Luke’s genealogy of Jesus makes clear that Jesus was not a descendant of Joseph (as was assumed) yet it still affirms that Jesus was born into the Davidic line entitling Him to be king of Israel. Luke’s genealogy is different from Matthew’s. Matthew begins with Abraham and moves forward to Jesus. Luke begins with Jesus and moves back all the way to Adam, the son of God. Many believe that Luke is following Mary’s line although there are still difficulties with that theory. What is clear is that Luke is tracing Jesus all the way back to Adam and God to show again that Jesus’ offer of salvation was to all people, not just the Jews.

Jesus came to offer eternal salvation to everyone but not everyone will accept it so He will also separate those who believe from those who don’t. Those who believe will remain with Him forever in heaven while those who don’t will be doomed to the fires of hell. John called the nation of Israel to repent so they would be ready to receive their Messiah. Perhaps you need a change of mind (repent) so you can prepare your own heart to believe in Jesus for salvation? If you are a believer, who do you need to pray for that their heart will be prepared for the gospel message? And do you need the conviction of John to confront them head on with the message of their sin and their need for a saviour?


Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Saul the First King: 1 Samuel 9-10