Luke
Chapter 3
Overview
Luke opens with a roll call of emperors, governors, regional rulers, and religious leaders, but the real action begins with a lone voice in the wilderness. John calls people to change how they live and gives practical answers to crowds, tax collectors, and soldiers. Many wonder whether he is God’s promised king, but John points to someone stronger. Political power soon pushes back. Jesus is baptized, receives a visible sign of God’s approval, and begins his work. The chapter ends by tracing his family line backward through Israel’s story, all the way to the beginning of humanity.
1In the fifteenth year of Emperor Tiberius’s rule, Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea. Herod was the regional ruler of Galilee; Herod’s brother Philip ruled Iturea and the region of Trachonitis; and Lysanias ruled Abilene.
2During the high-priestly leadership of Annas and Caiaphas, God’s message came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the wilderness.
3John went throughout the entire region around the Jordan River. He proclaimed a baptism—a washing in water that called for a changed heart and led to forgiveness for wrongdoing.
4This was as written in the book containing the words of Isaiah, a prophet who spoke for God: “A voice is shouting in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the Lord’s road! Make his paths straight!
5The prophecy continues: “Every valley will be filled in, and every mountain and hill will be brought low. Crooked roads will become straight, and rough roads will become smooth.
6It concludes, “Then everyone will see how God saves.”
7John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
8John continued, “Bear fruit that shows your change of heart is real. Do not start saying to yourselves, ‘Abraham is our ancestor.’ I tell you, God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones.
9He warned, “The ax is already lying at the roots of the trees. Every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
10The crowds asked John, “What, then, should we do?”
11He answered, “Whoever has two basic garments to wear should share with someone who has none. Whoever has food should do the same.”
12Tax collectors also came to be baptized and asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?”
13John told them, “Do not collect anything beyond the amount you have been assigned.”
14Some soldiers also asked him, “And what should we do?” John told them, “Do not extort money from anyone or falsely accuse anyone. Be satisfied with your pay.”
15The people were waiting expectantly, and everyone was wondering inwardly whether John himself might be the Messiah, God’s promised king.
16John answered them all, “I baptize you with water, but someone more powerful than I am is coming. I am not worthy even to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with God’s Holy Spirit and with fire.
17John continued, “His winnowing fork is in his hand, ready to clean his threshing floor completely. He will gather the wheat into his storehouse, but he will burn the dry husks in a fire that cannot be put out.”
18With many other appeals, John announced the good news to the people.
19But John confronted the regional ruler Herod about Herodias, his brother’s wife, and about all the other evil things Herod had done.
20Herod added this to all his other offenses: he locked John in prison.
21When the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. As he was praying, heaven opened,
22and the Holy Spirit came down on him in a visible, bodily form like a dove. Then God’s voice came from heaven: “You are my dearly loved Son; I delight in you.”
23Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his public work. People assumed he was the son of Joseph. Joseph was the son of Heli.
24Heli was the son of Matthat; Matthat the son of Levi; Levi the son of Melchi; Melchi the son of Jannai; and Jannai the son of Joseph.
25That Joseph was the son of Mattathias; Mattathias the son of Amos; Amos the son of Nahum; Nahum the son of Esli; and Esli the son of Naggai.
26Naggai was the son of Maath; Maath the son of Mattathias; Mattathias the son of Semein; Semein the son of Josech; and Josech the son of Joda.
27Joda was the son of Joanan; Joanan the son of Rhesa; Rhesa the son of Zerubbabel; Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel; and Shealtiel the son of Neri.
28Neri was the son of Melchi; Melchi the son of Addi; Addi the son of Cosam; Cosam the son of Elmadam; and Elmadam the son of Er.
29Er was the son of Joshua; Joshua the son of Eliezer; Eliezer the son of Jorim; Jorim the son of Matthat; and Matthat the son of Levi.
30Levi was the son of Simeon; Simeon the son of Judah; Judah the son of Joseph; Joseph the son of Jonam; and Jonam the son of Eliakim.
31Eliakim was the son of Melea; Melea the son of Menna; Menna the son of Mattatha; Mattatha the son of Nathan; and Nathan the son of David.
32David was the son of Jesse; Jesse the son of Jobel; Jobel the son of Boaz; Boaz the son of Sala; and Sala the son of Nahshon.
33Nahshon was the son of Amminadab; Amminadab the son of Admin; Admin the son of Arni; Arni the son of Hezron; Hezron the son of Perez; and Perez the son of Judah.
34Judah was the son of Jacob; Jacob the son of Isaac; Isaac the son of Abraham; Abraham the son of Terah; and Terah the son of Nahor.
35Nahor was the son of Serug; Serug the son of Reu; Reu the son of Peleg; Peleg the son of Eber; and Eber the son of Shelah.
36Shelah was the son of Cainan; Cainan the son of Arphaxad; Arphaxad the son of Shem; Shem the son of Noah; and Noah the son of Lamech.
37Lamech was the son of Methuselah; Methuselah the son of Enoch; Enoch the son of Jared; Jared the son of Mahalaleel; and Mahalaleel the son of Cainan.
38Cainan was the son of Enosh; Enosh the son of Seth; Seth the son of Adam; and Adam came from God.