1 Now in the
fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor
of Judea, Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of
Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2 while Annas and Caiaphas were high
priests, the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. 3 And he went into all the region around the
Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words
of Isaiah the prophet, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make
His paths straight. 5 Every valley shall
be filled And
every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight
And the rough ways smooth; 6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of
God.’ ” 7 Then he said to the multitudes that came
out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the
wrath to come? 8 Therefore
bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We
have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise
up children to Abraham from these stones. 9 And even now the ax is laid to the root of
the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and
thrown into the fire.” 10 So
the people asked him, saying, “What shall we do then?” 11 He answered and said to them, “He who has
two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do
likewise.” 12 Then
tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall
we do?” 13 And he
said to them, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.” 14 Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying,
“And what shall we do?” So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse
falsely, and be content with your wages.” 15 Now as the people were in expectation, and
all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or
not, 16 John
answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier
than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize
you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His
winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His
threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn
with unquenchable fire.” 18 And
with many other exhortations he preached to the people. 19 But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him
concerning Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which
Herod had done, 20 also
added this, above all, that he shut John up in prison.
Luke now recalls the beginning of John the Baptists ministry, which took place during the reign of several historical figures. First was the Roman Emperor Tiberius Caesar who then ruled over all of Rome. Next in the line of power as this related to the Jews was Pontius Pilate the Governor of Judea, and the man who would later at the prompting of the Jews religious leaders sentence Jesus Christ to Crucifixion death. Luke then mentions the two ruthless sons of Herod, who like their father and Grandfather before them bore fierce regional rule over the Jews. First mentioned then is Herod Antipas who was the tetrarch of Galilee (i.e. the northern most part of Israel where Jesus and His twelve disciples came from), this Herod would later have John the Baptist beheaded on a whim, (but also for rebuking him for taking his brother Philips wife as his own wife). Later he would delightfully “sign off” on Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion death when Christ would not show him a sign or miracle. Herod’s brother Philip II was also an ungodly and ruthless man, he was given the tetrarch position of the Roman province of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis to rule. While Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, a region north of Damascus, likely an area where Jews dwelt and lived. Finally mentioned in the chain of authority of those who bore rule over the Jews is two high priests, the first was Annas who was the high priest of the Jews until Rome disposed him; yet amongst the Jews he maintained his authority and influence over them by exercising this through his son-in-law Caiaphas, who Rome instilled in place of him. This is clearly seen in Jesus’ pre-trial interview by him (see John 18:12-13). By all accounts then Israel at that time was utterly dominated and ruled by the most unscrupulous and ungodliest of men, even their own priesthood had become utterly corrupted and overtaken by the most ambitious and ruthless power brokers amongst them. It was then during this time of their darkest hour that the Scripture says that the Word of God came to John the Baptist the son of Zacharias in the wilderness (Luke 1:80). Now that John the Baptist had withdrawn himself to live in the wilderness harkens back to Elijah the Old Testament prophet who likewise did the same because Israel became so corrupted within under the rule of king Ahab and his wicked wife Jezebel.
Vs. 3-5 3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough ways smooth; 6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”
John the Baptist then having received the Word of God went out into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins (vs. 3). John then was calling the people of God to repentance, from the least of them to the greatest, for the remission of their sins, to prepare them for Jesus Christ’s Arrival to them. Therefore, this was being done to fulfill the Word of God which the prophet Isaiah spoke which says: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough ways smooth; 6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ” Vs. 4-5 (see Isaiah 40:3-5)
Now the first exhortation in Isaiah’s prophecy is that the people of God are to prepare the way of the Lord, that is the nation of Israel itself is charged with preparing the way for the Coming of their King to them, to “Make His paths straight”. So that the people of God would be prepared to receive their King, something which John the Baptist was sent to do, to prepare God’s people for His coming to them in the Person of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. John’s preaching and baptism then was to do just that, to have God’s peoples hearts and lives repentant and ready to receive Him so that they might receive remission of their sins and everlasting life when Christ came to them. Therefore, in order for an individual or the nation to receive Christ one must prepare the hearts and lives for Him, by getting the sin out and the righteousness in. Forsaking then all that is contrary to Him, for that is where repentance begins, by having a change of heart, which then leads to a change of direction of one’s person and life. And that is what the prophet is calling all of Israel to do here, to “Make His paths straight.” For the Lord Jesus Christ isn’t going walk down (i.e. in accord with) the crooked paths of man; whether religious or secular. And as the King of the nation, indeed of the whole world, He has every right to demand as much of us if any of us desires to see Him, and have His salvation from Him (consider Acts 10:34-43). Now with Jesus Christ’s Arrival the Scripture says, “Every valley shall be filled And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough ways smooth; 6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”
These then are the things which the Lord Jesus Christ Himself will do. First is “every valley shall be filled”, that is the once empty spaces of the human heart and soul, indeed even of Godless societies, that repent and believe and receive the Lord Jesus Christ for themselves will be filled not only with the Person and Salvation of God, but also the blessing of God as well. Empty barren places than shall be turned into very fruitful places and very satisfied peoples! Now the second part of that prophetic phrase says: “…And every mountain and hill brought low.” That is all who are exalted, all who are prideful and haughty, all who are rich, powerful, and arrogant (who do not repent and believe) but trust in what they have, or what they are, shall be brought low, from the most religious, to the most secular, this will come upon them all (consider Isaiah 2:11-12). In the Lord Jesus Christ’s Kingdom then such things will not be found. Therefore, the work of the Lord Jesus Christ will also be that,
“The crooked places shall be made straight
And the rough ways smooth;
6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”
Every crooked place than shall be made straight indicates that all that truly hides and conceals the way of salvation shall be removed by the Lord Jesus Christ; thus all deceitfulness, deception, dishonesty and corruption that is universally found in the human heart and its human institutions will not be tolerated by the Lord, for either He will transform the human heart given to such, or He will remove that human heart, that institution, or that nation from His Presence, if they will not be reformed and transformed by Him. For when the Lord Jesus Christ reigns such things will not be permitted to rule with Him. Now the “the rough ways made smooth” indicates that it is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself who will make a pathway for all who seek Him to find Him and follow Him and believe in Him (Psalm 27:11; Isaiah 45:2, 8). For as the prophecy concludes: all flesh shall see the salvation of God (vs.6). The only question then is having seen it do you believe it? Because God’s salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ only becomes enacted in one’s person and life when they believe in Him, for He does not hide Himself from anyone but wants everyone to repent and believe in Him (Rev. 3:20). Therefore, please do so, and receive the Lord Jesus Christ today!
Therefore, John also says to them, “Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come” (vs. 7) because with Christ’s arrival to them God’s judgment would come to the nation whom he formed to bring glory to Himself, because they would not receive His Son as their King. but instead along with the Gentiles this same nation (specifically the leaders of it) would orchestrate the Lord Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion. Therefore, John tells them all to bear fruits worthy of repentance, and not to say to themselves that “We have Abraham as our father”; thus, deceiving themselves into thinking that their ancestry automatically guarantees them salvation. For as John says to them, “God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.” Vs. 8
“And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” Vs. 9
Therefore, in warning them, John is also warning us all, because “even now the ax is laid at the root of the trees”, meaning God is cutting down and cutting of all that are contrary to Him from being His people. Therefore, John warns us all that “every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” Which is a metaphor for our persons and lives and God’s judgment on all who do not bear good fruit will now be cut down and thrown into the eternal fire (also see Acts 26:20; Rev. 21:6-8).
Vs. 10-11 10 So the people asked him, saying, “What shall we do then?” 11 He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.”
The people then having herd John’s stern warning now ask him, “what shall we do” (vs. 10). His response then is simple and to the point: “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” Vs. 11 Thus to share with those in need, something which goes right back to the Law of God and Israel’s beginnings, to remember that they too were once poor and needy, and thus to always remember their cause, just as God always remembers theirs (consider Deut. 15:7-11; 12-15; 16:9-12; 24:14, 19-22; Isaiah 41:17; 58:1-14; Jer. 22:16; Ezek. 16:49-50; 22:29-31; Gal. 2:10 etc.). Indeed, one of the hallmarks of the Messiah is His caring for, and doing justice towards the poor, (Psalm 72:4, 12-14; Isaiah 11:1-4 etc.) something we see time and again in Jesus’ Ministering the Gospel.
Vs. 12-13 12 Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.”
Now even the tax collectors came to be baptized by John, and having done so they ask John what should they do to show that they are truly repentant before God. And John’s answer is simply, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.” Thus, it isn’t their vocation that was evil, (as the people commonly held it to be a betrayal against God to be collecting taxes for Rome), it is only evil when they use their God given duty and authority to exploit their brethren or others (see Romans 13 to understand).
Vs. 14 14 Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?” So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.”
Similarly, the soldiers who were charged by Rome with keeping the law and order amongst the Jews (and sometimes were recruited from amongst the Jews) John tells them all not to abuse their authority and power, saying first “Do not intimidate anyone” because very often those given such authority and power if left unchecked will abuse it, to satisfy their own vengeance, or to execute their own “justice”. “Nor accuse falsely” again it is easy for those in power and authority to abuse it by making false claims against someone to set (and thus use) lawful authority against them, or to put fear into them to compel them to do something very questionable that they otherwise would not be compelled to do. All which is contrary to truth and justice. Finally, John tells them to be content with their wages, indicating that it must have been a common practice to shakedown people for money by intimidating them, or to make false accusations against someone so that one would receive a bribe to drop the charges or accusations against them etc. All which is contrary to the Lord Jesus Christ and the Law of God. And thus, John tells them (as with the tax collectors) their vocation is not evil, only using its authority and power for evil and unjust purposes is.
Vs. 15-17 15 Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, 16 John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.”
John’s preaching was so powerful that people began to live in expectation of the Christ, and so they began to reason in their hearts (and discuss amongst themselves) maybe John himself was the Christ (i.e. the Promised Messiah). However, John would have none of that, for he knew that he was sent before Christ to prepare His way before Him. That was his single purpose, therefore he said to all of them, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.” Vs. 16-17
John’s declaration to them is that he is not the one they should be looking to for salvation; for neither he, nor his baptism (which was a baptism of repentance to prepare Israel to receive Christ) does not bring them everlasting life, only the Lord Jesus Christ’s baptism would (see Acts 13:23-25; 19:4). Therefore, John says that he is not even worthy to loose the sandal strap on Christs feet, for he like all of Israel and humanity with them is also in need of salvation from Him. Therefore, John says when Christ comes, He will baptize them (not with water as John was doing) but with the Holy Spirit and fire. For it is the Holy Spirit that transforms one’s person, heart, and soul, bringing us to Spirit life, and Spiritually uniting us with the Lord Jesus Christ. That is the first part of Jesus’ Ministry as our Savior our salvation from sin and death, and thus our deliverance from the wrath and judgment of God against it. Now the next part of Jesus’ Ministry is that of Judge which will come at the end of the age when He will sit on the Judgment seat at the Great White Throne Judgment and will render His eternal verdict against all who rejected His Person and His salvation for themselves, that is His baptism of fire. that John is warning about here. Those then who did not repent and believe in Him will be sentenced to the lake of fire forever. Therefore, to make this point abundantly clear John says of the Lord Jesus Christ that, “His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.” Vs. 17 The metaphor John the Baptist is using here is describing the Lord Jesus Christ purging out of His Kingdom and His presence all who do not repent and believe in Him.
Here then is a metaphor for those who repent and truly believe in Him (the wheat) and those who do not (the chaff). Therefore, John in describing this end times separation says that just as they gather the wheat into barns, and throw the chaff away into the fire so it will be at the end of age. The Lord Jesus Christ then will gather all His own to Himself, while those who have not believed in Him and been baptized by Him, that is by His Holy Spirit and thus have His regeneration of them, He will give to the everlasting fire (also see Matt. 13:24-30). The fear of the Lord then is very real, for profession of faith in Christ without any substantive evidence of such faith is just a dead and unrepentant faith, and will not save anyone who is merely paying lip service to God. For God knows our hearts and our lives, and He wants us all to be real and genuine with Him, so that He might bring His saving grace to us and do His saving work in us, and ultimately through us (in this consider Luke 7:36-50; Luke 18:9-14). Therefore, it is incumbent upon us all not only to repent, but most importantly to believe in and receive the Lord Jesus Christ for ourselves, because apart from His Holy Person and Presence by His Spirit sanctifying our person and life (which happens to us the moment we believe in Him and call upon Him) no one would be justified in the sight of God; but now we all can be by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:1). Therefore, I urge you all to see yourselves for who you truly are (i.e. a sinner in need of salvation) then see the Lord Jesus Christ for who He is (God’s Son and your Lord and Savior the moment you believe and receive Him for yourselves. For if you do, He will fully and completely transform and save you! Therefore, don’t delay receive God’s everlasting salvation by faith in Jesus Christ today (John 1:12; 3:16).
Commentary
Vs.
1-2 1 Now in
the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being
governor of Judea, Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch
of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2 while Annas and Caiaphas were high
priests, the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. Luke now recalls the beginning of John the Baptists ministry, which took place during the reign of several historical figures. First was the Roman Emperor Tiberius Caesar who then ruled over all of Rome. Next in the line of power as this related to the Jews was Pontius Pilate the Governor of Judea, and the man who would later at the prompting of the Jews religious leaders sentence Jesus Christ to Crucifixion death. Luke then mentions the two ruthless sons of Herod, who like their father and Grandfather before them bore fierce regional rule over the Jews. First mentioned then is Herod Antipas who was the tetrarch of Galilee (i.e. the northern most part of Israel where Jesus and His twelve disciples came from), this Herod would later have John the Baptist beheaded on a whim, (but also for rebuking him for taking his brother Philips wife as his own wife). Later he would delightfully “sign off” on Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion death when Christ would not show him a sign or miracle. Herod’s brother Philip II was also an ungodly and ruthless man, he was given the tetrarch position of the Roman province of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis to rule. While Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, a region north of Damascus, likely an area where Jews dwelt and lived. Finally mentioned in the chain of authority of those who bore rule over the Jews is two high priests, the first was Annas who was the high priest of the Jews until Rome disposed him; yet amongst the Jews he maintained his authority and influence over them by exercising this through his son-in-law Caiaphas, who Rome instilled in place of him. This is clearly seen in Jesus’ pre-trial interview by him (see John 18:12-13). By all accounts then Israel at that time was utterly dominated and ruled by the most unscrupulous and ungodliest of men, even their own priesthood had become utterly corrupted and overtaken by the most ambitious and ruthless power brokers amongst them. It was then during this time of their darkest hour that the Scripture says that the Word of God came to John the Baptist the son of Zacharias in the wilderness (Luke 1:80). Now that John the Baptist had withdrawn himself to live in the wilderness harkens back to Elijah the Old Testament prophet who likewise did the same because Israel became so corrupted within under the rule of king Ahab and his wicked wife Jezebel.
Vs. 3-5 3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough ways smooth; 6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”
John the Baptist then having received the Word of God went out into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins (vs. 3). John then was calling the people of God to repentance, from the least of them to the greatest, for the remission of their sins, to prepare them for Jesus Christ’s Arrival to them. Therefore, this was being done to fulfill the Word of God which the prophet Isaiah spoke which says: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough ways smooth; 6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ” Vs. 4-5 (see Isaiah 40:3-5)
Now the first exhortation in Isaiah’s prophecy is that the people of God are to prepare the way of the Lord, that is the nation of Israel itself is charged with preparing the way for the Coming of their King to them, to “Make His paths straight”. So that the people of God would be prepared to receive their King, something which John the Baptist was sent to do, to prepare God’s people for His coming to them in the Person of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. John’s preaching and baptism then was to do just that, to have God’s peoples hearts and lives repentant and ready to receive Him so that they might receive remission of their sins and everlasting life when Christ came to them. Therefore, in order for an individual or the nation to receive Christ one must prepare the hearts and lives for Him, by getting the sin out and the righteousness in. Forsaking then all that is contrary to Him, for that is where repentance begins, by having a change of heart, which then leads to a change of direction of one’s person and life. And that is what the prophet is calling all of Israel to do here, to “Make His paths straight.” For the Lord Jesus Christ isn’t going walk down (i.e. in accord with) the crooked paths of man; whether religious or secular. And as the King of the nation, indeed of the whole world, He has every right to demand as much of us if any of us desires to see Him, and have His salvation from Him (consider Acts 10:34-43). Now with Jesus Christ’s Arrival the Scripture says, “Every valley shall be filled And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough ways smooth; 6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”
These then are the things which the Lord Jesus Christ Himself will do. First is “every valley shall be filled”, that is the once empty spaces of the human heart and soul, indeed even of Godless societies, that repent and believe and receive the Lord Jesus Christ for themselves will be filled not only with the Person and Salvation of God, but also the blessing of God as well. Empty barren places than shall be turned into very fruitful places and very satisfied peoples! Now the second part of that prophetic phrase says: “…And every mountain and hill brought low.” That is all who are exalted, all who are prideful and haughty, all who are rich, powerful, and arrogant (who do not repent and believe) but trust in what they have, or what they are, shall be brought low, from the most religious, to the most secular, this will come upon them all (consider Isaiah 2:11-12). In the Lord Jesus Christ’s Kingdom then such things will not be found. Therefore, the work of the Lord Jesus Christ will also be that,
“The crooked places shall be made straight
And the rough ways smooth;
6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”
Every crooked place than shall be made straight indicates that all that truly hides and conceals the way of salvation shall be removed by the Lord Jesus Christ; thus all deceitfulness, deception, dishonesty and corruption that is universally found in the human heart and its human institutions will not be tolerated by the Lord, for either He will transform the human heart given to such, or He will remove that human heart, that institution, or that nation from His Presence, if they will not be reformed and transformed by Him. For when the Lord Jesus Christ reigns such things will not be permitted to rule with Him. Now the “the rough ways made smooth” indicates that it is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself who will make a pathway for all who seek Him to find Him and follow Him and believe in Him (Psalm 27:11; Isaiah 45:2, 8). For as the prophecy concludes: all flesh shall see the salvation of God (vs.6). The only question then is having seen it do you believe it? Because God’s salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ only becomes enacted in one’s person and life when they believe in Him, for He does not hide Himself from anyone but wants everyone to repent and believe in Him (Rev. 3:20). Therefore, please do so, and receive the Lord Jesus Christ today!
Vs. 7-9 7 Then he said to the multitudes that came
out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the
wrath to come? 8 Therefore
bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We
have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise
up children to Abraham from these stones. 9 And even now the ax is laid to the root of
the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and
thrown into the fire.”
Now as John the
Baptist preached in the wilderness the people came out to be baptized by him,
but John was unmoved by their doing so, because he knew Israel’s heart, that
they loved to play religious, while living contrary to all the just and
righteous foundations of it (consider Isaiah 1:10-20; 58:1-14; Rom 2:1-29 etc.). Therefore, they had a much greater need
than merely being baptized by him if they were to be prepared to receive their
King. Therefore, John pulls no punches in calling them a “Brood of Vipers”, because
anyone can be baptized and put on their Sunday best, but it takes true
repentance and faith to get one’s heart and life right in the sight of God. Therefore, John also says to them, “Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come” (vs. 7) because with Christ’s arrival to them God’s judgment would come to the nation whom he formed to bring glory to Himself, because they would not receive His Son as their King. but instead along with the Gentiles this same nation (specifically the leaders of it) would orchestrate the Lord Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion. Therefore, John tells them all to bear fruits worthy of repentance, and not to say to themselves that “We have Abraham as our father”; thus, deceiving themselves into thinking that their ancestry automatically guarantees them salvation. For as John says to them, “God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.” Vs. 8
“And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” Vs. 9
Therefore, in warning them, John is also warning us all, because “even now the ax is laid at the root of the trees”, meaning God is cutting down and cutting of all that are contrary to Him from being His people. Therefore, John warns us all that “every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” Which is a metaphor for our persons and lives and God’s judgment on all who do not bear good fruit will now be cut down and thrown into the eternal fire (also see Acts 26:20; Rev. 21:6-8).
Vs. 10-11 10 So the people asked him, saying, “What shall we do then?” 11 He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.”
The people then having herd John’s stern warning now ask him, “what shall we do” (vs. 10). His response then is simple and to the point: “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” Vs. 11 Thus to share with those in need, something which goes right back to the Law of God and Israel’s beginnings, to remember that they too were once poor and needy, and thus to always remember their cause, just as God always remembers theirs (consider Deut. 15:7-11; 12-15; 16:9-12; 24:14, 19-22; Isaiah 41:17; 58:1-14; Jer. 22:16; Ezek. 16:49-50; 22:29-31; Gal. 2:10 etc.). Indeed, one of the hallmarks of the Messiah is His caring for, and doing justice towards the poor, (Psalm 72:4, 12-14; Isaiah 11:1-4 etc.) something we see time and again in Jesus’ Ministering the Gospel.
Vs. 12-13 12 Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.”
Now even the tax collectors came to be baptized by John, and having done so they ask John what should they do to show that they are truly repentant before God. And John’s answer is simply, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.” Thus, it isn’t their vocation that was evil, (as the people commonly held it to be a betrayal against God to be collecting taxes for Rome), it is only evil when they use their God given duty and authority to exploit their brethren or others (see Romans 13 to understand).
Vs. 14 14 Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?” So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.”
Similarly, the soldiers who were charged by Rome with keeping the law and order amongst the Jews (and sometimes were recruited from amongst the Jews) John tells them all not to abuse their authority and power, saying first “Do not intimidate anyone” because very often those given such authority and power if left unchecked will abuse it, to satisfy their own vengeance, or to execute their own “justice”. “Nor accuse falsely” again it is easy for those in power and authority to abuse it by making false claims against someone to set (and thus use) lawful authority against them, or to put fear into them to compel them to do something very questionable that they otherwise would not be compelled to do. All which is contrary to truth and justice. Finally, John tells them to be content with their wages, indicating that it must have been a common practice to shakedown people for money by intimidating them, or to make false accusations against someone so that one would receive a bribe to drop the charges or accusations against them etc. All which is contrary to the Lord Jesus Christ and the Law of God. And thus, John tells them (as with the tax collectors) their vocation is not evil, only using its authority and power for evil and unjust purposes is.
Vs. 15-17 15 Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, 16 John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.”
John’s preaching was so powerful that people began to live in expectation of the Christ, and so they began to reason in their hearts (and discuss amongst themselves) maybe John himself was the Christ (i.e. the Promised Messiah). However, John would have none of that, for he knew that he was sent before Christ to prepare His way before Him. That was his single purpose, therefore he said to all of them, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.” Vs. 16-17
John’s declaration to them is that he is not the one they should be looking to for salvation; for neither he, nor his baptism (which was a baptism of repentance to prepare Israel to receive Christ) does not bring them everlasting life, only the Lord Jesus Christ’s baptism would (see Acts 13:23-25; 19:4). Therefore, John says that he is not even worthy to loose the sandal strap on Christs feet, for he like all of Israel and humanity with them is also in need of salvation from Him. Therefore, John says when Christ comes, He will baptize them (not with water as John was doing) but with the Holy Spirit and fire. For it is the Holy Spirit that transforms one’s person, heart, and soul, bringing us to Spirit life, and Spiritually uniting us with the Lord Jesus Christ. That is the first part of Jesus’ Ministry as our Savior our salvation from sin and death, and thus our deliverance from the wrath and judgment of God against it. Now the next part of Jesus’ Ministry is that of Judge which will come at the end of the age when He will sit on the Judgment seat at the Great White Throne Judgment and will render His eternal verdict against all who rejected His Person and His salvation for themselves, that is His baptism of fire. that John is warning about here. Those then who did not repent and believe in Him will be sentenced to the lake of fire forever. Therefore, to make this point abundantly clear John says of the Lord Jesus Christ that, “His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.” Vs. 17 The metaphor John the Baptist is using here is describing the Lord Jesus Christ purging out of His Kingdom and His presence all who do not repent and believe in Him.
Here then is a metaphor for those who repent and truly believe in Him (the wheat) and those who do not (the chaff). Therefore, John in describing this end times separation says that just as they gather the wheat into barns, and throw the chaff away into the fire so it will be at the end of age. The Lord Jesus Christ then will gather all His own to Himself, while those who have not believed in Him and been baptized by Him, that is by His Holy Spirit and thus have His regeneration of them, He will give to the everlasting fire (also see Matt. 13:24-30). The fear of the Lord then is very real, for profession of faith in Christ without any substantive evidence of such faith is just a dead and unrepentant faith, and will not save anyone who is merely paying lip service to God. For God knows our hearts and our lives, and He wants us all to be real and genuine with Him, so that He might bring His saving grace to us and do His saving work in us, and ultimately through us (in this consider Luke 7:36-50; Luke 18:9-14). Therefore, it is incumbent upon us all not only to repent, but most importantly to believe in and receive the Lord Jesus Christ for ourselves, because apart from His Holy Person and Presence by His Spirit sanctifying our person and life (which happens to us the moment we believe in Him and call upon Him) no one would be justified in the sight of God; but now we all can be by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:1). Therefore, I urge you all to see yourselves for who you truly are (i.e. a sinner in need of salvation) then see the Lord Jesus Christ for who He is (God’s Son and your Lord and Savior the moment you believe and receive Him for yourselves. For if you do, He will fully and completely transform and save you! Therefore, don’t delay receive God’s everlasting salvation by faith in Jesus Christ today (John 1:12; 3:16).
Vs
18-20
18 And
with many other exhortations he preached to the people. 19 But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by
him concerning Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which
Herod had done, 20 also
added this, above all, that he shut John up in prison.
John the Baptists
ministry then was one of rebuke, of calling God’s people to repentance to
prepare them for Christ’s Arrival. Something that is desperately needed in the
church today too. However, Luke here does not dwell upon John and His ministry,
for in fulfilling His purpose in preparing the way before the Lord, Luke now
quickly summarizes and sums up John’s ministry, which publicly ended when Herod
the tetrarch put John in prison for John rebuking him for having an adulterous
relationship with his brother Philips wife. John then did not show favor to the
rich and powerful, overlooking their sins and transgressions, but he treated
all people both poor and rich, with the same warning and rebuke, and ultimately
it would cost Him his life.
Scripture Quotations
New King James Version. (1982): Thomas Nelson
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