# Luke 3

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**Luke 3** is the third [chapter](/source/Chapters_and_verses_of_the_Bible) of the [Gospel of Luke](/source/Gospel_of_Luke) in the [New Testament](/source/New_Testament) of the [Christian](/source/Christianity) [Bible](/source/Bible), traditionally attributed to [Luke the Evangelist](/source/Luke_the_Evangelist), a companion of [Paul the Apostle](/source/Paul_the_Apostle) on his missionary journeys.[1] It contains an account of the preaching of [John the Baptist](/source/John_the_Baptist) as well as a [genealogy of Jesus](/source/Genealogy_of_Jesus). From the start of this chapter until [Luke 9:50](/source/Luke_9), the "shape and outlook" of Luke's Gospel follow closely those of the other [synoptic gospels](/source/Synoptic_gospels), [Matthew](/source/Gospel_of_Matthew) and [Mark](/source/Gospel_of_Mark).[2]: 926-7 The [Expositor's Greek Testament](/source/Expositor's_Greek_Testament) states that in this chapter "the ministry of the new era opens".[3]

## Text

The original text was written in [Koine Greek](/source/Koine_Greek) and [is divided into](/source/Chapters_and_verses_of_the_Bible) 38 verses.

### Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are:

- [Papyrus 4](/source/Papyrus_4) (AD 150–175; extant verses: 8–38)[4]
- [Papyrus 75](/source/Papyrus_75) (175–225; extant: verses 18–38)
- [Codex Vaticanus](/source/Codex_Vaticanus) (325–350)
- [Codex Sinaiticus](/source/Codex_Sinaiticus) (330–360)
- [Codex Bezae](/source/Codex_Bezae) (~400)
- [Codex Washingtonianus](/source/Codex_Washingtonianus) (~400)
- [Codex Alexandrinus](/source/Codex_Alexandrinus) (400–440)
- [Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus](/source/Codex_Ephraemi_Rescriptus) (~450; extant verses 21–38)

### Old Testament references

- :

## John the Baptist

Main articles: [John the Baptist](/source/John_the_Baptist) and [Chronology of Jesus](/source/Chronology_of_Jesus)

As he has already done in the first two chapters, [Luke](/source/Luke_the_Evangelist) provides several points of historical data, in this case six, to specify the date of the events in the first century CE.[3]

### Verses 1–2

- *1In the fifteenth year of the reign of [Tiberius Caesar](/source/Tiberius_Caesar) — when [Pontius Pilate](/source/Pontius_Pilate) was governor of [Judea](/source/Judea), [Herod](/source/Herod_Antipas) [tetrarch](/source/Tetrarchy_(Judea)) of [Galilee](/source/Galilee), his brother [Philip](/source/Philip_the_Tetrarch) tetrarch of [Iturea](/source/Iturea) and [Trachonitis](/source/Lajat), and [Lysanias](/source/Lysanias) tetrarch of [Abilene](/source/Abilene_(biblical)) — 2during the [high priesthood](/source/High_Priest_of_Israel) of [Annas](/source/Annas) and [Caiaphas](/source/Caiaphas), the word of [God](/source/God) came to [John](/source/John_the_Baptist) son of [Zechariah](/source/Zechariah_(priest)) in the desert.*[5]

[Tiberius](/source/Tiberius)' fifteenth year of rule was AD 29 or 30 (calculated from the death of his predecessor, [Augustus](/source/Augustus), in AD 14), so one can date the start of John's preaching to then. New Testament scholar [William Ramsay](/source/William_Mitchell_Ramsay) suggests that the year was AD 26, calculated from the time Tiberius was appointed as co-Princeps with Augustus in AD 12.[6] Ramsay notes that this manner of calculation could be "made under an Emperor whose years were reckoned from his association as colleague", such as employed by [Titus](/source/Titus), whose reign began from his association with his father on July 1, AD 71.[7]

The rule of [Pontius Pilate](/source/Pontius_Pilate) in [Judea](/source/Judea) during the reign of Tiberius is well attested in history (for example, [Tacitus](/source/Tacitus) in *[Annals](/source/Annals_(Tacitus))* [book 15, chapter 44](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Annals_(Tacitus)%2FBook_15), written c. AD 116).[8][9] [Saint Gregory](/source/Saint_Gregory) suggested that the reference to Roman and Jewish rulers anticipated the salvation of "some from among the Jews and many among the [gentiles](/source/Gentile)".[10] Reference to the [high priesthoods](/source/High_Priest_of_Israel) of [Annas](/source/Annas) and [Caiaphas](/source/Caiaphas) creates a difficulty in that a joint high priesthood was not permitted under Jewish law.[2]: 926-7

### Verse 3

- *And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.*[11]

Although the message from God had come to John "in the wilderness", he may have preached nearer to [Jericho](/source/Jericho),[12] cf: [Luke 1:80](/source/Luke_1#John's_development_(1:80)): "he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel".[13] Eric Franklin states that the connection between John's [baptism](/source/Baptism) of repentance and [God's] [forgiveness of sins](/source/Forgiveness_of_sins) is that baptism "issues in" forgiveness.[2]: 931 Luke connects the same concepts in [Acts 2:38](/source/Acts_2:38) and [22:16](/source/Acts_22:16).[14]

### Verse 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.*[15]

- Citing [Isaiah 40:3](/source/Isaiah_40:3); also cited in [Matthew 3:3](/source/Matthew_3:3), [Mark 1:3](/source/Mark_1:3), and [John 1:23](/source/John_1:23).[16]
- "Wilderness": or "desert"; the syntactic position of the phrase "in the wilderness" could be with "Prepare a way" ([Masoretic Text](/source/Masoretic_Text) or "MT"), suggesting the place where the preparation should be done, while the Greek [Septuagint](/source/Septuagint) (or "LXX") connects it to "a voice shouting" indicating the place from where John’s ministry went forth.[17] Jewish documents separately support both renderings: 1QS 8:14 and 9.19–20 support the MT version while some rabbinic texts support the LXX version, but in the final analysis, the 'net effect between the two choices may be minimal'.[17]

Like [Mark 1:2–3](/source/Mark_1:2%E2%80%933), [Matthew 3:3](/source/Matthew_3:3) and [John 1:23](/source/John_1:23), Luke quotes [Isaiah 40](/source/Isaiah_40) in reference to John, but at greater length,[a] possibly in order to include the message that "...all flesh (*or* all mankind) will see God's salvation" () for his [Gentile](/source/Gentile) audience.[18]

### Verse 5

- *Every valley shall be filled,* - *and every mountain and hill shall be brought low;*
- *and the crooked shall be made straight,* - *and the rough ways shall be made smooth;*[19]

This verse cites [Isaiah 40:4](/source/Isaiah_40:4),[20] which the [King James Version](/source/King_James_Version) translates as "every valley shall be exalted".[21] The writer [Frederic Farrar](/source/Frederic_Farrar) notes "a remarkable parallel" in [Josephus](/source/Josephus)' description of the march of [Vespasian](/source/Vespasian) in the [Wars of the Jews](/source/The_Jewish_War):

where he ... says that among his vanguard were "such as were to make the road even and straight, and if it were anywhere rough and hard to be passed over, to plane it, and to cut down the woods that hindered their march ... that the army might not be tired".[22][14]

### Verse 6

- *And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.*[23]

This verse cites [Isaiah 40:5](/source/Isaiah_40:5):[24] see note above on [verse 4](#Verse_4).

### Verses 7–17

John first exhorts the listeners ("brood of snakes") to prove their repentance by the way they lived. Their sincerity was being called into question. As John continues to preach a [baptism](/source/Baptism) of [repentance](/source/Repentance), he then tells the crowds that their descent from [Abraham](/source/Abraham) will not save them from "the wrath to come", that "...out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." ([8–9](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=49&chapter=3&version=31))

The people ask what they should do and John speaks of [sharing](/source/Sharing) (verse 11). Specifically to [tax collectors](/source/Tax_collector) ([publicans](/source/Publican) in the [King James Version](/source/King_James_Version)),[25] and to [soldiers](/source/Soldier) he says that they should not abuse their positions, adding that soldiers should be "content with their pay". [Heinrich Meyer](/source/Heinrich_August_Wilhelm_Meyer) is confident that Jewish soldiers are referred to here, rather than occupying [Roman forces](/source/Roman_army).[26] They ask him if he is the [Christ](/source/Christ), and he replies "I baptize you with [water](/source/Water). But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." () also found in [Matthew 3:11](/source/Matthew_3:11), [Mark 1:7](/source/Mark_1:7)[-8](/source/Mark_1:8) and [John 1:26](/source/John_1:26)–[27](/source/John_1:27). John is then locked up by Herod for rebuking him about his wife [Herodias](/source/Herodias), Herod adding this "crowning iniquity" to all his other misdeeds.[3]

#### Verse 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.*[27]

Textual variants are found in a few manuscripts (C D 892 1424 *it*) which have εἰς μετάνοιαν, *eis metanoian*, "for repentance", after the phrase "baptize you with water". This addition may be intended for clarification and was probably an attempt to harmonize with [Matthew 3:11](/source/Matthew_3:11).[28]

## Jesus's baptism

Main articles: [Baptism of Jesus](/source/Baptism_of_Jesus) and [Nativity of Jesus](/source/Nativity_of_Jesus)

Luke then tells us (verse 21) that Jesus was one of the many who were baptised by John. Meyer reads the text as meaning that whilst the assembled people were being baptised, Jesus was also baptised.[26] [Nicoll](/source/William_Robertson_Nicoll) argues that use of the [aorist](/source/Aorist) "ought to imply that the bulk of the people had already been baptised before Jesus appeared on the scene, i.e., that John's ministry was drawing to its close",[3] cf. the wording of the [Good News Translation](/source/Good_News_Translation), *After all the people had been baptized, Jesus also was baptized.*[29]

The [Holy Spirit](/source/Holy_Spirit) appears in bodily form like a [dove](/source/Columbidae) and tells him "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased" (cf. [Matthew 3:13](/source/Matthew_3:13)–[17](/source/Matthew_3:17), [Mark 1](/source/Mark_1), [John 1](/source/John_1)).

### Verse 23

- a*And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age,*
- b*being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,*[30]

The [King James Version](/source/King_James_Version)'s wording is "ungrammatical, a strange expression".[14] Many translations insert reference to his "work" [31] or his "ministry".[32] Luke does not state how many years John baptised for, but this is when most date the start of Jesus's ministry, 29 or 30. He had to be more than thirty years old, as he was born about six months before [Jesus was born](/source/Nativity_of_Jesus), as noted in [Luke 1](/source/Luke_1). Most probably John was born in 4 BC.

## The ancestry of Jesus

Main article: [Genealogy of Jesus#Luke's genealogy](/source/Genealogy_of_Jesus#Luke's_genealogy)

### Verses 23b–38

Luke sets out here, like Matthew in his [opening chapter](/source/Matthew_1), a genealogy of Jesus. Luke starts with his legal father [Joseph](/source/Saint_Joseph) and lists 73 people between Joseph and [Adam](/source/Adam), who Luke says is "...the Son of God",[33] thus having 75 people between God and Jesus. This genealogy is longer than Matthew's, works retrospectively from Jesus back to Adam,[34] (whereas Matthew's runs chronologically forward from Abraham to Jesus), and has a number of other differences. Luke names Joseph's father and thus Jesus's grandfather as [Heli](/source/Heli_(Bible)), which could be Mary's father, as noted in the [Talmud](/source/Talmud).[35] On the other hand, Matthew records the name of Joseph's father was Jacob. They then say that Jesus's great grandfather was named [Matthat](/source/Matthat) or Matthan, who could be the same person or, as first suggested by [Julius Africanus](/source/Julius_Africanus), brothers. The lists then diverge from there, coming together again at [David](/source/King_David). The list in Luke also differs from , which says that Arphaxad was Selah's father, not his grandfather through Cainan.

Patrilineage of Jesus according to Luke God Adam Seth Enos Cainan Maleleel Jared Enoch Mathusala Lamech Noah Shem Arphaxad Cainan Sala Heber Phalec Ragau Saruch Nachor Thara Abraham Isaac Jacob Juda Phares Esrom Aram Aminadab Naasson Salmon Boaz Obed Jesse David Nathan Mattatha Menan Melea Eliakim Jonam Joseph Judah Simeon Levi Matthat Jorim Eliezer Jose Er Elmodam Cosam Addi Melchi Neri Salathiel Zorobabel Rhesa Joannan Juda Joseph Semei Mattathias Maath Nagge Esli Naum Amos Mattathias Joseph Jannai Melchi Levi Matthat Heli Joseph Jesus

### Verse 33

- *Which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda*.[36]

Parallel verses: [Matthew 1:3](/source/Matthew_1:3)[–4](/source/Matthew_1:4)

### Verse 38

- *... the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.*[37]

As throughout Luke's genealogy, "son of" is implied but not stated except for "the son of Joseph" in verse 23.[b] Methodist commentator [Joseph Benson](/source/Joseph_Benson) comments,

Adam, being descended from no human parents, but formed by the power of a divine creating hand, might with peculiar propriety be called the son of God, having, in his original state, received immediately from God, whatever the sons of Adam receive from their parents, sin and misery excepted.[38]

[Paul](/source/Paul_the_Apostle) makes reference to the Greek understanding that "we are [all] the offspring of God" in his [speech](/source/Areopagus_sermon) in the [Areopagus](/source/Areopagus) in [Athens](/source/Athens), Acts 17:28–29.

## See also

- [Date of birth of Jesus](/source/Date_of_birth_of_Jesus)
- [Genealogy of Jesus](/source/Genealogy_of_Jesus)
- [John the Baptist](/source/John_the_Baptist)
- [Messianic prophecies of Jesus](/source/Messianic_prophecies_of_Jesus)
- Related [Bible](/source/Bible) parts: [Genesis 5](/source/Genesis_5), [Genesis 49](/source/Genesis_49), [Numbers 27](/source/Numbers_27), [Numbers 36](/source/Numbers_36), [Isaiah 40](/source/Isaiah_40), [Isaiah 42](/source/Isaiah_42), [Zechariah 12](/source/Zechariah_12), [Matthew 1](/source/Matthew_1), [Matthew 3](/source/Matthew_3), [Mark 1](/source/Mark_1), [John 1](/source/John_1)

## Notes

1. Luke uses Isaiah 40:3–5, whereas Matthew 3:3 and Mark 1:3 quote Isaiah 40:3 only.[39]

1. See italicisation in NKJV: , from "*the son* of Heli" onwards.

## References

1. [Jerusalem Bible](/source/Jerusalem_Bible) (1966), "Introduction to the Synoptic Gospels", New Testament p. 5

1. Franklin, E., *58. Luke* in Barton, J. and Muddiman, J. (2001), [The Oxford Bible Commentary](https://b-ok.org/dl/946961/8f5f43)

1. [Expositor's Greek Testament](http://biblehub.com/commentaries/egt/luke/3.htm) on Luke 3, accessed 20 May 2018

1. Aland, Kurt & Aland, Barbara (1995). [*The Text of the New Testament: An Introduction to the Critical Editions and to the Theory and Practice of Modern Textual Criticism*](https://books.google.com/books?id=2pYDsAhUOxAC). Grand Rapids: [William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company](/source/William_B._Eerdmans_Publishing_Company). p. 96. ISBN 978-0-8028-4098-1.

1. : [NIV](/source/NIV)

1. Ramsay 1895, pp. 386–387

1. Ramsay 1895, p. 387

1. [P. E. Easterling](/source/P._E._Easterling), [E. J. Kenney](/source/E._J._Kenney) (general editors), *The Cambridge History of Latin Literature*, p. 892 (Cambridge University Press, 1982, reprinted 1996). ISBN 0-521-21043-7

1. [Bart D. Ehrman](/source/Bart_D._Ehrman) wrote: "Tacitus's report confirms what we know from other sources, that Jesus was executed by order of the Roman governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate, sometime during Tiberius's reign." In: Ehrman, Bart D. (2001). *Jesus: Apocalyptic Prophet of the New Millennium*. Oxford University Press. p. 59. ISBN 978-0195124743.

1. Pope Gregory I, quoted by [Thomas Aquinas](/source/Thomas_Aquinas) in [Catena aurea: commentary on the four Gospels, collected out of the works of the fathers](https://archive.org/details/a6788682p103thomuoft/page/106/mode/2up), Luke, Part 1, p. 106, edited by [John Henry Newman](/source/John_Henry_Newman), Oxford, 1841, accessed on 2 April 2025

1. : [English Standard Version](/source/English_Standard_Version)

1. [Jerusalem Bible](/source/Jerusalem_Bible) (1966): footnote g at Luke 3:3, London: Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd and Doubleday and Co. Inc.

1. : ESV

1. Farrar, F. W. (1891), [Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges](https://biblehub.com/commentaries/cambridge/luke/3.htm) on Luke 3, accessed 25 December 2021

1. Note [b] on Isaiah 40:3 in Berean Study Bible.

1. Note [b] on Luke 3:4 in [NET Bible](/source/New_English_Translation)

1. Brown 2007, p. 235

1. : [KJV](/source/King_James_Version)

1. Note on Isaiah 40:4 in the Berean Study Bible

1. : KJV

1. Josephus, *History of the Jewish War against the Romans*, iii. 6, § 2

1. KJV

1. Note on Isaiah 40:5 in Berean Study Bible

1. : King James Version

1. Meyer, H. A. W., [Meyer's NT Commentary](https://biblehub.com/commentaries/meyer/luke/3.htm) on Luke 3, translated from the German sixth edition, accessed 25 August 2023

1. : [NKJV](/source/New_King_James_Version)

1. Note [b] on Luke 3:16 in [NET Bible](/source/New_English_Translation)

1. : Good News Translation

1. : King James Version

1. : [New Revised Standard Version](/source/New_Revised_Standard_Version)

1. : [New International Version](/source/New_International_Version)

1. Luke 3:38

1. Maas, Anthony. ["Genealogy of Christ"](http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06410a.htm) The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 6. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909. 9 Oct. 2013

1. Talmud Yerushalmi, Hag. chap.2, 11a; Hebrew text at [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/b/r/r2b.htm](http://www.mechon-mamre.org/b/r/r2b.htm), records as follows: למרים ברת עלי *l'miryam bart eli*, "Of Mary the daughter of (H)Eli"

1. : KJV

1. : NKJV

1. Benson, J. (1857), [Benson Commentary on the Old and New Testaments](https://biblehub.com/commentaries/benson/luke/3.htm), Luke 3:38, accessed 26 August 2023

1. Marginal notes in Jerusalem Bible (1966) at relevant verses

## Sources

- Brown, Raymond E., *An Introduction to the New Testament*, Doubleday 1997 ISBN 0-385-24767-2
- [Ramsay, W. M.](/source/William_Mitchell_Ramsay), [*St Paul the Traveller and the Roman Citizen*](https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.261358/page/n3) (1895; German translation, 1898)

## External links

- King James Bible - Wikisource
- [English Translation with Parallel Latin Vulgate](http://www.latinvulgate.com/lv/verse.aspx?t=1&b=3&c=3)
- [*Online Bible* at GospelHall.org](http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php?passage=Luke+3) (ESV, KJV, Darby, American Standard Version, Bible in Basic English)
- [Multiple bible versions at *Bible Gateway*](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=49&chapter=3) (NKJV, NIV, NRSV etc.)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Luke 3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luke_3) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luke_3?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.