Luke 3:7-18

Luke 3:7-18

[7] Then  he to the multitude  that came forth  to be baptized  of  him,  O generation  of vipers,  who  hath warned  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  That  God  is able  of  stones  to raise up  children  unto Abraham.  [9] And  now  also  the axe  is laid  unto  the root  of the trees:  every  tree  therefore  not  forth  good  fruit  is hewn down,  and  cast  into  the fire.  [10] And  the people  asked  him,  saying,  What  shall we do  then?  [11] He answereth  and  unto them,  He that hath  two  coats,  let him impart  to him that hath  none;  and  he that hath  meat,  let him do  likewise.  [12] Then  came  also  publicans  to be baptized,  and  said  unto  him,  Master,  what  shall we do?  [13] And  he said  unto  them,  Exact  no  more  than  that which is appointed  [14] And  the soldiers  likewise  demanded  of him,  saying,  And  what  do?  And  he said  them,  Do violence  to no man,  neither  accuse any falsely;  and  be content  wages.  [15] And  as the people  were in expectation,  and  all men  mused  in  their  hearts  of  John,  he  the Christ,  [16] John  answered,  saying  indeed  baptize  with water;  but  one mightier than  cometh,  the latchet  of whose  shoes  I am  not  worthy  to unloose:  he  shall baptize  with  the Holy  Ghost  and  with fire:  [17] Whose  fan  is in  his  hand,  and  he will throughly purge  his  floor,  and  will gather  the wheat  into  his  garner;  but  the chaff  he will burn  with fire  unquenchable.  [18] And  other  things  in his exhortation  preached  he unto the people. 

What does Luke 3:7-18 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Essentially John called his hearers to change their minds about their relationship to God and to demonstrate the genuineness of their repentance with righteous conduct ( Luke 3:7-14). He also promoted Jesus ( Luke 3:15-17). Only Luke included John"s enumeration of specific changes the people needed to make to demonstrate true repentance ( Luke 3:10-14).