JOHN THE BAPTIST’S PREACHING Luke 3:10-20

This post discusses aspects of the preaching of John the Baptist.

Luke briefly outlines the questions and responses to the preaching of John the Baptist in Luke 3:3-10:

John the Baptist’s preaching appears in Luke 3:3-10 “And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”

As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, Jto clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” So, with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people. But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done, added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison.

John the Baptist’s preaching indicates a lack in the character of his audience.

Clearly, they should develop a caring and sharing life. The tax collectors were to stop collecting unauthorized taxes. The soldiers were to stop extorting money and live contentedly on their wages.

This fiery preaching of John the Baptist caused the people to wonder if John was the long-expected Messiah. John clearly said no by explaining his weakness compared to the coming Messiah. He would baptize with fire and the Holy Spirit rather than water as John had done. In addition, the work of the Messiah—explained like harvesting wheat—would separate and burn the chaff, the wicked and keep the wheat, the saved people.

Further, John the Baptist did not hesitate to preach to Herod about his sin of marrying Herodias.

Herod retaliated and put him in prison. Thus, the public work of John ended just as Jesus began his public work.

What can be learned from these verses?

1.John the Baptist preached repentance and baptism to a wide audience of common people.

2.John announced the coming of the Messiah–one baptizing with fire and the Holy Spirit.

3.John’s work ended as Jesus’ work began.

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