John’s Ministry Begins

Luke 3:1-18

Herod died about three years after Jesus’ birth and was succeeded by Archelaus. When John begins his ministry about twenty five years later, Archelaus had been succeeded by Pontius Pilate as governor, and Archelaus’ sons shared the throne of the surrounding areas, with each being responsible for a particular region. Only people of the time were aware of the agreement to split the responsibility, again validating Luke’s authenticity, as does his identification of the high priests, which would not have been known outside Israel.

“Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.” (Luke 3:1-2)

While we are never told that John was a Nazarite, he definitely lived a lifestyle similar to that of the Nazarite. Mark 1:6 describes it. “And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;”. From Matthew 11:18 we learn that many people took offense because he refused to eat and drink like they did. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.”
Mark 1:6 describes his lifestye, “And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;”.

While camel’s hair and a leather belt was appropriate for sheepherders and farm laborers, it wasn’t suitable for polite society, and the priests would not have recommended it. As Jesus told the crowd later, it didn’t stop people who wanted to hear God’s word, although others were offended. “But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.” (Matthew 11:8-9).

John starts by preaching what Isaiah had said about preparing the way for Messiah, which was a familiar and pleasant message, some what like the message of the Second Coming is to many “Christians” today. He stressed getting themselves prepared for the event by the baptism of repentance.

“And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 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; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” (Luke 3:3-6)

Hebrews 9:22 states, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” John in no way stated that baptism would take away sin. Unfortunately, the Jews had fallen into the habit of offering the sacrifices with no sense of real repentance, but simply going through the ritual. John said that was not acceptable, setting baptism as an evidence of their sincerity. Ritual and tradition would not suffice.

“Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 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. And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” (Luke 3:7-9)

Matthew 3:11-12 points out that John’s baptism was only a statement of repentance. Jesus Christ would baptize or immerse initially in the Holy Spirit and later, at the judgement with fire. “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

While the common people came confessing their sin, the most religious groups were not, according to Matthew 3:5-8. “Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:” Merely being baptized meant nothing without action on. The people asked what actions would indicate their repentance.

“And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.” (Luke 3:10-14)

Many wanted to believe John was the Messiah, but he was very explicit that he was not, and reminded them that the baptism of fire would separate those who believed in Christ and those who did not. Baptism in water would not save them.

“And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.” (Luke 3:15-18)