Luke 3:7-17

This year we are covering the four Gospel Accounts together in chronological order.

In the previous post, we covered Matthew 3:7-12. Here was the conclusion:

John the Baptist confronted the Pharisees and Sadducees about their lack of belief. John the Baptist stated God's measure for the individual was whether the person chose to bring forth good fruit. John stated Jesus would baptize us with the Holy Spirit and fire.


Luke 3
"7 He said therefore to the multitudes that went out to be baptized of him, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
9 And even now the axe also lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."

(We covered the meaning of these verses in the previous post: Matthew 3:7-12.)

"10 And the multitudes asked him, saying, What then must we do?
11 And he answered and said unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath food, let him do likewise."

(The people asked John what they ought to do to bring forth good fruit. John the Baptist stated examples: give clothes and food to those who don't have any. This teaching was consistent with what Jesus would teach. Giving to others is a good work and results in Reward.)

"12 And there came also publicans to be baptized, and they said unto him, Teacher, what must we do?
13 And he said unto them, Extort no more than that which is appointed you."

(Among other things, the publicans were tax collectors. They asked John the Baptist what they were supposed to do since he had just told people to give...and their job was to take. John said they shouldn't take more than what they were supposed to take.)

"14 And soldiers also asked him, saying, And we, what must we do? And he said unto them, Extort from no man by violence, neither accuse any one wrongfully; and be content with your wages."

(The soldiers asked John the Baptist what they were supposed to do because they couldn't give nor take physical things. John told them not to use violence or false accusations in order to take. Also, John told them to be content with what they were given: their wages.)

"15 And as the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether haply he were the Christ;"

(John sorted through the issues of life (giving and taking) so well, people wondered if John the Baptist was the Christ.)

"16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but there cometh he that is mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire:
17 whose fan is in his hand, thoroughly to cleanse his threshing-floor, and to gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire."

(Luke documented the same answer as what we saw in the previous post: Matthew 3:7-12...however, this comment from John the Baptist was presented as having been in response to people wondering if John the Baptist was the Christ.)


CONCLUSION
John the Baptist sorted through the issues of life so well, people wondered if he was the Christ.

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