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The Gospel of Luke Chapter Three
Commentary by Timothy H. Burdick
Luke starts out this
Chapter by making reference to the fifteenth year of
Tiberius when Pontius Pilate governed Judea. “Tiberius” in
this reference was Tiberius Caesar, leader of the Roman
Empire, who ruled from 14 AD to 37 AD. At the same time,
Herod the tetrarch governed Galilee and his brother Philip
was “Tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Traconitis.” The
third person mentioned is Lysanias, who ruled Abilene at the
time. When Herod the Great died, his kingdom was split up
into fourths. Hence the title “Tetrarch,” which simply means
“a ruler over a fourth.” According to historical records, we
know that Herod Antipas is the same man as Herod the
Tetrarch found in the New Testament.
By giving us this timeline, Luke is preparing us for John
the Baptist, whose ministry began in about 29 AD. As Luke’s
retelling of these incidents unfolds, John the Baptist is
hearing the Voice of the Lord in a solitary place. Our world
is so much more noisy then John’s was, but we can't afford
to not follow his example. We must listen to the Lord.
Thinking about John’s life, look with me at Psalm 46:10,
which says, "be still and know that I am God; I will be
exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
God wants the best for you. He wants to be first, to be
exalted in your life. You will never be happy in any other
way. Aside from memorizing God’s Word, there is little that
is more powerful then just getting alone with God. Many of
the great saints of church history found their strength in
silence. Again, Luke gives us a reference point. He says
that all of these events took place when Annas and Caiaphas
were the high priests of Israel. “Ungers Bible Dictionary”
says about these two men: “Caiaphas was the son-in-law of
Annas with whom he is coupled by Luke." Pastor Chuck Smith
has this to say: "The Jews only had one high priest at a
time. However, Annas was the high priest for a certain
period of time, around 13 to 14 AD. He was then replaced by
the Roman government and he was followed by three different
men in the office of high priest before the Roman governor
appointed Caiaphas" to that office.
John the Baptist, appears to have been a rugged individual.
in Matthew 3:4, we are told some details about his lifestyle
that Luke did not include. In order to get a full picture,
many times it helps to study the other Gospel accounts. I
think that these details provided by Luke give this
character in the story flesh and bones so to speak. Matthew
says, "Now John Himself had His raiment of camels hair and a
leather girdle about his loins, and His food was locusts and
wild honey" (Matthew 3:4).
Take note of John’s message. By baptizing, He was not just
introducing a new religious ritual, he was telling his
audience to repent and turn from their sin. We don't hear
very much about this, but this message is just as applicable
to us today. Many times, myself included (as I look back on
my life), instead from turning from sin, we play with sin.
We know that something in our lives isn't right, but we do
it anyway. This doesn’t mean that we have to make a long
list of things we can and can't do, it simply means that we
need to be open and honest before God. Secondly, it dose not
mean that our lives half to be dull by any means. God wants
to take out of our lives only those things that aren't the
best for us, the things that cause us harm.
Those of you who have children, think of it this way. Your
children think that they know what is best. You try to stop
them from doing something that will only hurt them. Some
times they just won't listen because what they want to do
seems like so much fun. Later though they regret their
actions and all too often that is the way we are with God.
The kind of repentance that John is talking about causes a
change in heart, a change in lifestyle. Perhaps the people
were asking what John’s qualifications were, in order to
give out such a message.
Because in Verses 4 through 6, John the Baptist quotes from
Isaiah 3:5. It says in that place, “A voice of one calling
in the desert, make straight in the wilderness a highway for
our God. Every valley will be raised up, every mountain and
hill made low; the rough ground shall become level; the
rugged places a plane; and the glory of the Lord will be
revealed and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth
of the Lord has spoken."
The people in those days would have clearly understood what
John the Baptist was saying, but in the 21st Century, our
understanding may be clouded. So, let’s stop and take a look
at this passage. In Biblical times, they had a herald that
went before the king. This person would not only announce
the king’s coming, but also prepare and make ready for him.
The closest thing that this might be akin to is our secret
service preparing the way for our president. By making
reference to these verses found in Isaiah, John was
proclaiming Himself to be that herald. But before moving on,
let’s look at another application. Has your heart been
prepared to meet the Lord? Have you confessed your sin and
made the crooked ways in you straight? Have you sat at His
feet and let him make rough places smooth? He wants to help
you raise up the valleys and lower the hills in your life.
In other words, what ever obstacles you are facing in your
personality and in your life, He wants to help you surmount
them.
It is interesting to read Luke 3:7 in conjunction with
Matthew 3:5-7. Again Matthew shares certain insights which
Luke does not include. People went out to John the Baptist
from Jerusalem and all Judea; and the whole region of the
Jordan, confessing their sins and they were baptized by Him
in the Jordan river. But when John saw many of the Pharisees
and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said,
“You brood of vipers; who warned you to flee from the coming
wrath?" Luke seems to lump everyone together, whereas
Matthew often makes a distinction between what you might
call the every day people and the religious leaders.
This is an issue of grave concern to me, as I feel that many
times our so-called "leaders" are clouded in their
understanding. Don't get me wrong - we need to respect our
leaders, but at the same time we need to filter what say
through the Word of God. If I have or if anyone else has
anything to say that doesn't agree with God’s Word; get rid
of it! Don't except blindly what others say. Compare the
verses that we have just read with James 3:1-2. James
writes, "Not many of you should presume to be teachers my
brothers because you know that we who teach will be judged
more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is
never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man able to
keep his whole body in check."
In Luke 3:8, we hear John the Baptist returning to his
original train of thought. He tells the people to produce
qualities that SHOW they have really repented.
Cross-reference this verse with James 2:26, where he says,
"As the body without the spirit is dead so faith without
works is dead also." The Jew felt that by declaring Abraham
as their father, they were declaring their superiority.
Because of this mindset, they felt like they could pick and
choose what laws they wanted to obey. After all, weren't
they God's chosen people?
Compare what John is saying in this verse with John 8:39 -
"Abraham is our father they answered. “If you were Abraham’s
children,” said Jesus, “then you would do the things Abraham
did.” We all tend to do the same things that the Jews were
doing in essence. We seem to think that because we call
ourselves “Christians” that we can do anything we want to.
We feel that there are no consequences and that we can say a
half-hearted prayer, and all is well.
Look with me at 1 Samuel 15:22. " But Samuel replied does
the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much
as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than
sacrifice and to heed is better then the fat of rams." In
Galatians 6:7, Paul says, "do not be deceived God cannot be
mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
The Scripture tells us that God is no respecter of persons,
which just means that He doesn’t show favoritism (Acts 10:34
and 2 Chronicles 19:7). We all therefore need to follow
Abraham’s faithful example. In Luke 3:11 through 14, John
the Baptist gives some pointers when it comes to living this
kind of a lifestyle. First he says to share your food and
clothes with those who are less fortunate. God has always
made provision for those who have gone without basic needs.
One example of this can be found in the little book of Ruth.
Look with me at Ruth 2:2 - "And Ruth the Moabitess said to
Naomi, let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover
grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor. Naomi said
go ahead my daughter.”
Next John addresses his remarks to the Roman tax collectors.
They were hated by the people because of their exploitation.
Whatever our position in life is, we need to decide to not
take advantage of others. Compare Mark 10:43 with this
passage - "Not so with you; instead whoever wants to become
great among you must be your servant." In the third
category, John tells the soldiers not to be violent without
cause, to be honest, and also to be content with their pay.
I think that we need to look at the issue of contentment. We
live in a very discontented culture. We want things, but
find that things don't ultimately satisfy. Look with me at
first Timothy 6:6 and 7 - "But Godliness with contentment is
great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and we can
take nothing out of it."
In verse 16, we see John talking about the baptism of the
Holy Spirit and fire in reference to the One who was to
come. When it comes to this subject, there has been much
confusion and misunderstanding. I have been in churches that
seem filled with chaos. It seemed that in this environment,
the Spirit was thought to have special freedom. Compare this
view with 1 Corinthians 14:3, where the apostle says, “for
God is not a God of disorder; but of peace as in all the
congregations of the saints." About this subject Pastor
Chuck Smith says, "The fire of the Holy Spirit is always a
purging fire, a cleansing fire." The Holy Spirit immerses or
baptizes us into his love, while cleansing out the
impurities in our lives the same way fire purifies silver
and gold, giving us strength to face the challenges of life.
The Spirits infilling, is always to help us lead a more Holy
life.
I always get nervous when people draw to much attention to
the Spirit’s work. For Jesus said about this in John 16:13 -
"But when He the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you
into all truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak
only what He hears; and He will tell you what is yet to
come." Since John lived in an agricultural setting, like any
good teacher he used object lessons from the physical
environment to teach spiritual lessons. He used wheat and
chaff to explain the characteristics of a godly and ungodly
life.
In Biblical times, farmers had a shovel type instrument they
called a “fan.” On a windy day, they would scoop the wheat
from the threshing floor. Then they would through it up into
the air, and the chaff would blow away. John the Baptist is
most likely making reference to Psalm 1:4, where the
psalmist says, "The wicked are not so, but are like the
chaff which the wind drives away." John the Baptist
continues that after the chaff was gone the wheat would be
gathered into garners or silos.
Luke 3:19-20 tell us about John the Baptist rebuking Herod
the King and subsequently being thrown into prison. Herod
the Tetrarch was an extremely wicked man. One author says
about him, "He married the daughter of Aretas king of
Arabia. But later lived with Herodias the wife of his own
half-brother Philip." Another author sheds some light on
this by saying, "Marriage to the ex-wife of one’s brother
was not uncommon, but Herodias was also the daughter of
another half-brother, Aristobulus. Marriage to one’s niece
was also permitted, but marriage to someone who was both
one’s sister-in-law and one’s niece was unusual."
It is important that we know this background, but just as
important, I feel, is studying the response of John the
Baptist. John stood up for his convictions. As the saying
goes, he called things like they were. There are times we
need to draw on John’s example and stand up for what is
right. Rather then going along with the crowd and shrinking
back, we need to ask the Lord to help us press forward.
Compare this verse with Acts 4:13, "When they saw the
courage of Peter and John and realized that they were
unschooled ordinary men, they were astonished and they took
note that these men had been with Jesus."
Whatever you are going through in life, spend time with
Jesus and He will give you strength to face it. It might be
standing up for what is right like John did, or it might be
asking for the boldness to face a physical illness. In any
case, the principle is the same. In Verses 21 and 22, we
have the record of Jesus’ baptism. Compare this with
Matthew’s account in Matthew 3:14-17. Look at this with me:
Matthew says, "But John tried to deter Him saying, ‘I need
to be baptized by You and do You come to me?’ Jesus replied,
‘Let it be so now. It is proper for us to do this to fulfill
all righteousness.’ Then John consented. As soon as Jesus
was baptized, He went up out of the water. At that moment
heaven was opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending
like a dove and lighting on Him. And a voice from heaven
said, ‘This is my Son whom I love. With Him I am well
pleased.’"
Both accounts clearly show the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
but there are some differences that I think will enhance the
story. In Matthew’s account, we see Jesus almost pleading
with John to be baptized by him. But in Luke, unlike
Matthew, we see Jesus praying when He comes up out of the
water. More than any other Gospel, Luke emphasized the
humanity of Jesus. Before an important decision, Luke shows
Jesus drawing on the power of God. John, on the other hand,
concentrates on the divine nature of Christ. For example,
John says, "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was
with God and the Word was God" (John 1:1).
Luke 3:23-38 records the genealogy of Jesus. There is both a
genealogy of Christ found in the Gospel of Matthew, and in
the Gospel of Luke. If you will compare these two
genealogies, you will find that Matthew starts with Jesus,
the descendant of David, the descendant of Abraham. On the
other hand, Luke’s genealogy is in reverse order, beginning
with Adam. Hence, Luke’s genealogy has a more universal
flavor. It shows that Jesus died for all men and not just a
chosen few. The Bible calls Jesus the “second Adam” because
just as God gave physical life through the creation of Adam,
He brought spiritual life through Jesus Christ. Paul says
about this, "also it is written, the first man Adam became a
living soul; the last Adam became a life-giving Spirit" (1
Corinthians 15:45). To understand what Luke is saying by
giving us the genealogy, we must continue to compare it with
Matthew.
Matthew gives us Joseph’s genealogy, whereas Luke gives us
Mary’s genealogy. Luke tells us in Verse 23, "Now Jesus
Himself was about thirty years old when He began His
ministry. He was the son so it was thought of Joseph,” and
that word, “son,” is better translated as “son-in-law.”
Joseph was the son of Heli." So, both Mary and Joseph’s
sides of the family are represented. But you may ask, if
Jesus was virgin born then why do we need a record of Joseph
at all? Joseph’s genealogy comes through the kingly line of
Solomon. See Matthew 1:6-7. It says in that place, "And
Jesse the father of king David.” David was the father of
Solomon, whose mother had been “Uriah's wife.” “Solomon the
father of Rehoboam, the father of Abijah, Abijah the father
of Asa," and so on. This shows that Jesus was the first-born
adopted "son" of Joseph, but He also had a right to the
kingship of Israel.
But as the blood son of Mary, the genealogy of Jesus came
through Nathan, another son of David. Nathan was the older
brother of Solomon and the legal heir to the throne. In the
Book of Jeremiah, because of the wickedness of King
Jehoiachin, God put a curse on this family line. He says
about this king, "This is what the Lord says, ‘Record this
man as if childless; a man who will not prosper in his
lifetime. For none of his offspring will prosper. None will
sit on the throne of David or rule anymore in Judah"
(Jeremiah 22:30). If you read Matthew’s genealogy carefully,
you will find that Joseph was a descendant of this wicked
king. We won't look at all the names, but as this is
important look at Matthew1:11 and 12. with me. "And Josiah
was the father of Jeconiah (Jehoiachin) and his brothers at
the time of the exile to Babylon. After the exile to
Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel the father of
Zerubbabel." Therefore, Jesus could only sit on the throne
of David as the adopted son of Joseph. In conclusion, I
would just like to say that the role of genealogy is central
in Jewish thought and culture. It not only let the people
trace their family line and tribal heritage, it also held
out the hope of a long-awaited Messiah.
Friday Study Ministries
The First Church On The Net
www.FridayStudy.org
www.FirstChurchOnTheNet.org
"While
we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
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