LUKE 3

 During the rule of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate as governor of Judea, Herod, Philip, and Lysanias, all tetrarchs, and Annas and Caiaphas as high priests, John the Baptist preached "baptism of repentance for the remission of sins," fulfilling the words of Isaiah, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness..."

The multitudes came out to be baptized by him, and he called them a "brood of vipers" and warned them that 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."

When the people asked him what they should do, he told them to share what they had with the poor; to tax collectors, he told them to take only what was appointed; to soldiers, he told them to be just and not complain. He said that he baptized with water, but the One coming after him will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.

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 also baptized Jesus, and while Jesus prayed, "the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him and a voice came from heaven which said, 'You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased'." However, at a later time, John rebuked Herod for marrying his brother Philip's wife, and other evil things Herod did; therefore, Herod imprisoned John.

Next, Luke noted that Jesus began His ministry at thirty years of age, and then he listed the genealogy of Christ through Mary, His mother, through David, and to Adam, and the son of God. 

COMMENTARY

John the Baptist was the last of the prophets. His message was of repentance, to turn away from sin, and turn to God. He also warned the nation Israel that if it does not bear fruit, the ax would come down on the root of the tree.

When John said that the One coming after him would baptize with Spirit and water, he meant that Jesus, who was the One coming, would baptize with the Holy Spirit, which is what happens when you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ; but the fire is the judgment of His second coming, which is still future.

At the time of Jesus' baptism, the Trinity was displayed: the God the Spirit descended upon God the Son, and God the Father spoke from heaven.

Matthew gave the genealogy of Jesus through Joseph, beginning with Abraham, through David and Solomon, because the legal title to the throne came through Joseph. Luke listed Jesus' genealogy through Mary, in reverse order from David to Adam. The royal blood of David and Nathan is traced through Mary because her line holds the blood title to the throne. 

Baptism of Christ by D. Zelenka 2005