Luke 3:1-20
Luke 3:1-6
1. Can we pin point the year of these events?
Since Luke provides us with so many historical time-stamps, it is quite easy to come up with a fairly concrete placement of this chapter. Most scholars believe John's ministry began in the year AD27, but it is certainly b/w AD25-29.
2. What was the political situation for the Jews at this time?
It was a Roman Empire with Tiberius as the most powerful ruler. Roman governors were appointed as delegates to rule smaller regions and Pilate served as such over Judea. Jewish men were selected by the Romans to serve as a bridge between the subdued peoples and their Roman authorities. Herod, Philip & Traconitis are mentioned as serving in such posts. The office of High Priest was present, but apparently Annas wasn't favored by the Romans (though he was popular with the Jews) and so he was dismissed from his office and replaced with his son-in-law Caiaphas. Since, however, the people preferred Annas, both are mentioned as High Priests here.
3. What was John’s basic message?
Though multiple names of worldly significance were just mentioned, it is to John, in the desert no less, that the word of God comes. His message was simple. He preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
4. What is the meaning of the Isaiah passage?
The voice calling in the desert refers, of course to John the Baptist. The references to necessary topographical changes was a Jewish idiom somewhat similar to the modern phrase 'roll out the red carpet'. When an ancient king visited from far off lands, his people would try to discern (or even create) a comfortable path for his journey with few uphill sections and dips. He was calling for preparations to be made for the King of Kings.
Luke 3:7-9
1. Why do you think John was so forward with his audience?
Imagine if we started a baptism in this manner today! John was blunt because he knew the lifestyles of the people before him. This was a time for rebuke. Their habits were cause for alarm.
2. What was the prevalent Jewish mindset in John’s day?
Many seemed to believe that simply being a genetic descendant of Abraham was enough to please God.
3. What does God think of ‘genetic’ Christianity?
Not much. God could make descendants of Abraham out of rocks if He desired to do so. He wasn't interested in genetics, He was (and is) interested in willful praise.
4. What was just around the corner for 1st century Judaism?
John compares 1st century Jewish believers to trees that aren't producing fruit. He told them that the ax was ready to cut down fruitless trees. Barrng fruitful repentance, they were living in their final moments.
Luke 3:10-14
1. What economic reality was repulsive to John?
Luxery in the presence of poverty.
2. How corrupt were tax collectors in John’s day?
They raised taxes and kept the extra for themselves. John calls them to cease this practice.
3. How corrupt were soldiers in John’s day?
They would often falsely accuse people and then make them pay in order to have the charges dropped. Once again, John told them to cease this practice.
4. Do we have similar problems today?
Certainly. It's almost stunning how similar the corruption is in our days. The rich seem to be getting richer while the poor get poorer. The governments are corrupt. Taxes are high. And soldiers are involved in multiple scandals.
Luke 3:15-20
1. What does v. 15 tell us about John’s righteousness?
He lived so righteously and uniquely that some considered the possibility that he was the Messiah.
2. What does v. 16 tell us about John’s humbleness?
It would have been simple to be flattered by such comparisons, but John shows no signs of an arrogant heart. He remained humble and pointed forward to the Messiah.
3. What was the difference b/w the baptisms of John & Jesus?
John's baptism may be compared to an emptying. He asked for people to repent of their sins, to cease wicked activities. Jesus' baptism would be a filling with the Holy Spirit. The phrase 'with the Holy Spirit and with fire' has been interpreted in multiple ways, but I view it as 2 choices. You can either be baptized by the Holy Spirit or you can be immersed in the fire of judgment. This fits best with verse 17.
4. How did John deal with the sin around him?
He exposed it. This practice landed him in jail and, later, led to his beheading.
1. Can we pin point the year of these events?
Since Luke provides us with so many historical time-stamps, it is quite easy to come up with a fairly concrete placement of this chapter. Most scholars believe John's ministry began in the year AD27, but it is certainly b/w AD25-29.
2. What was the political situation for the Jews at this time?
It was a Roman Empire with Tiberius as the most powerful ruler. Roman governors were appointed as delegates to rule smaller regions and Pilate served as such over Judea. Jewish men were selected by the Romans to serve as a bridge between the subdued peoples and their Roman authorities. Herod, Philip & Traconitis are mentioned as serving in such posts. The office of High Priest was present, but apparently Annas wasn't favored by the Romans (though he was popular with the Jews) and so he was dismissed from his office and replaced with his son-in-law Caiaphas. Since, however, the people preferred Annas, both are mentioned as High Priests here.
3. What was John’s basic message?
Though multiple names of worldly significance were just mentioned, it is to John, in the desert no less, that the word of God comes. His message was simple. He preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
4. What is the meaning of the Isaiah passage?
The voice calling in the desert refers, of course to John the Baptist. The references to necessary topographical changes was a Jewish idiom somewhat similar to the modern phrase 'roll out the red carpet'. When an ancient king visited from far off lands, his people would try to discern (or even create) a comfortable path for his journey with few uphill sections and dips. He was calling for preparations to be made for the King of Kings.
Luke 3:7-9
1. Why do you think John was so forward with his audience?
Imagine if we started a baptism in this manner today! John was blunt because he knew the lifestyles of the people before him. This was a time for rebuke. Their habits were cause for alarm.
2. What was the prevalent Jewish mindset in John’s day?
Many seemed to believe that simply being a genetic descendant of Abraham was enough to please God.
3. What does God think of ‘genetic’ Christianity?
Not much. God could make descendants of Abraham out of rocks if He desired to do so. He wasn't interested in genetics, He was (and is) interested in willful praise.
4. What was just around the corner for 1st century Judaism?
John compares 1st century Jewish believers to trees that aren't producing fruit. He told them that the ax was ready to cut down fruitless trees. Barrng fruitful repentance, they were living in their final moments.
Luke 3:10-14
1. What economic reality was repulsive to John?
Luxery in the presence of poverty.
2. How corrupt were tax collectors in John’s day?
They raised taxes and kept the extra for themselves. John calls them to cease this practice.
3. How corrupt were soldiers in John’s day?
They would often falsely accuse people and then make them pay in order to have the charges dropped. Once again, John told them to cease this practice.
4. Do we have similar problems today?
Certainly. It's almost stunning how similar the corruption is in our days. The rich seem to be getting richer while the poor get poorer. The governments are corrupt. Taxes are high. And soldiers are involved in multiple scandals.
Luke 3:15-20
1. What does v. 15 tell us about John’s righteousness?
He lived so righteously and uniquely that some considered the possibility that he was the Messiah.
2. What does v. 16 tell us about John’s humbleness?
It would have been simple to be flattered by such comparisons, but John shows no signs of an arrogant heart. He remained humble and pointed forward to the Messiah.
3. What was the difference b/w the baptisms of John & Jesus?
John's baptism may be compared to an emptying. He asked for people to repent of their sins, to cease wicked activities. Jesus' baptism would be a filling with the Holy Spirit. The phrase 'with the Holy Spirit and with fire' has been interpreted in multiple ways, but I view it as 2 choices. You can either be baptized by the Holy Spirit or you can be immersed in the fire of judgment. This fits best with verse 17.
4. How did John deal with the sin around him?
He exposed it. This practice landed him in jail and, later, led to his beheading.
posted by matthew at 1:48 PM
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