Luke Bible Study Week 8-- 3:1-20

Why is it important for people to study History?

Luke 3:1-3

Luke cites multiple people to help us place the time of John the Baptist and also the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. This is a reminder to the importance of both the historical context of the time and also the political nature of what is happening during the time of John the Baptist ministry. Luke uses this to remind the reader that these are factors in our understanding of the narrative. It also helps to serve as verifiable information for the accuracy of the historical context of the narrative.

This High Priest hood was usually a life long position. It is interesting that Luke mentions both Annas and Caiaphas since this was not an office that had either multiple individuals or changed hands often. However, during the reign of the Roman empire this changed and the position would be shifted most likely because of political reasons. Caiaphas was the son in-law of Annas and it is thought that Annas was the man behind the curtain with the real authority.

Luke 3:4-6

What is Repentance? What is Forgiveness? How are they different?

Isaiah chapter 40 is quoted in all four of the gospels in reference to John and Jesus. Luke has the addition of Isaiah 40:5

Isaiah 40:5 NIV

5 And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

in verse 6 helps to expand the promise of the coming salvation to all the people including the Gentiles. This is another example of Luke moving toward an understanding that Salvation is for all people not just the Israelites.

Luke 3:7-9

What do you think John is talking about in Verse 7?

What does it mean to “to Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.”

The Jewish people often would rely on their past understanding as God’s chosen people. This led to thinking that they would not have to stand before God in judgement. They thought that their racial status would save them from the wrath or judgement of God. John openly challenges them on this thinking. Sharing with them that God does not need them but he can make the rocks around them be his servants if he so desires. Their “station” or status in life will not protect them from judgement and they need to come to repentance.

Luke 3:10-14

John is creating a very bleak and harsh truth with the crowd. If we would compare it to something today John is preaching the “hellfire and brimstone” messages to the people. He calls them brood of Vipers, judgement is coming and the those who do not produce good fruit will be destroyed. This leads the crowd to ask the question. What should we do then? This question is not just asked one time it is asked three different times. Two of the times are in connection to specific jobs, Tax collectors and Soldiers. These two positions both were ones of authority that would be easy to abuse and often were.

What Other Jobs Could John possibly address if he were speaking to us today? What would he expect them to do?

Luke 3:15-18

Why is it difficult for us to hear the idea that Jesus is going to gather the wheat in his barn and burn the chaff?

Luke 3:19-20

John was arrested because of he regular preaching about living a moral life. Herod married his sister in-law/niece while his brother was still alive. This would be looked down upon by Jewish culture. John rebuked Herod and was going to pay the price for the evil that he called out.

Are we supposed to call out sin as Christians? What can happen if we do?