FocusFruit and the coming one
Connection to the wholeJohn addresses crowds and particular groups with practical demands, directing expectation toward the one mightier than himself.
interpretation Luke 3:4
KJVAs 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.
Read it in context
The Ministry of John the Baptist and the Baptism of Jesus
Start reading at Luke 3:1 (Luke 3:1 to Luke 3:22).
The literary unit begins at the start of the chapter, providing the historical and political context for John's ministry and leading up to Jesus' baptism.
- 3:1 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,
- 3:2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
- 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
- 3:4 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.
- 3:5 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;
- 3:6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
- 3:7 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?
- 3:8 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.
- 3:9 And now also the axe 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.
- 3:10 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
- 3:11 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.
- 3:12 Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?
- 3:13 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
- 3:14 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.
- 3:15 And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;
- 3:16 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:
- 3:17 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.
- 3:18 And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.
- 3:19 But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,
- 3:20 Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.
- 3:21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
- 3:22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Luke, the physician and companion of Paul, is the author identified by early church tradition for both Luke and Acts. Biblical references: Colossians 4:14; Philemon 1:24. Historical source: Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1; Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Luke 3:1–3:38): John addresses crowds, publicans, and soldiers who come to him; Jesus is baptized, and the genealogy identifies His ancestry. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Theophilus is the named recipient, already instructed in the matters Luke recounts. Wider readers also benefit, but identifying Theophilus as a particular official or assigning him a precise biography goes beyond the available evidence. Biblical references: Luke 1:3; Luke 1:4. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. stated in the text
What
- What is the main event or theme? The main theme is the prophetic fulfillment of Isaiah's words concerning the ministry of John the Baptist, who serves as the forerunner preparing the way for the Lord. It highlights the divine purpose behind John's preaching of repentance.
- What is God revealing? God is revealing His sovereign plan for the coming of the Messiah, demonstrating that John the Baptist's ministry was a direct fulfillment of ancient prophecy, designed to prepare the hearts of the people for the Lord's arrival.
- What is the literary style? The verse is a direct quotation from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah, introduced by the phrase 'As it is written', embedded within a narrative gospel account.
When
- When was it written? Approximately A.D. 60 to 62. book background
- When does the event take place? The events described, specifically the beginning of John the Baptist's ministry, occurred around the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, which is approximately A.D. 28-29. stated in the text
Where
- Where did it happen? John the Baptist's ministry, which fulfills this prophecy, took place 'in the wilderness' and 'all the country about Jordan'. stated in the text
- Where was the author located? Uncertain; possibly Caesarea or Rome. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The Ministry of John the Baptist and the Baptism of Jesus (Luke 3:1 to Luke 3:22). Start reading at Luke 3:1. The literary unit begins at the start of the chapter, providing the historical and political context for John's ministry and leading up to Jesus' baptism.
How
- How does it fit the broader context? This verse provides the prophetic foundation for John the Baptist's ministry, explaining its divine origin and purpose. It establishes John as the divinely appointed forerunner whose role was to prepare the people for the Lord's coming, setting the stage for Jesus' public ministry which follows. stated in the text
- How does it point to Christ? The prophecy 'Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight' directly points to the coming of Jesus Christ. John the Baptist's ministry was specifically to announce and make ready for the Messiah, who is the Lord, thereby highlighting Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. interpretation
- How do I apply it today? This passage calls believers today to prepare their hearts for the Lord. Just as John called for repentance and making paths straight, we are to remove obstacles of sin, pride, and worldly distractions from our lives, making ourselves ready to receive Christ's message, follow His will, and live a life transformed by His grace. interpretation
Cited: Luke 3:4, Isaiah 40:3, Luke 3:1-3
Who wrote it, and how we know
Luke, the physician and companion of Paul
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe author writes in the first person to Theophilus and describes carefully investigating eyewitness accounts, but does not give his name.
Luke 1:1Luke 1:3
Early traditionEarly testimony, including Irenaeus and the Muratorian fragment, names Luke, the physician and companion of Paul.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text.
Other accounts of this event
John the Baptist prepares the way
Parallel accounts
These accounts overlap in John's ministry; they do not report every saying in the same order.
Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment
The notes distinguish explicit fulfillment statements from other explicit New Testament applications. They do not assume every detail of the surrounding prophecy has already been fulfilled.
The voice preparing the way
NT explicitly applies this passage
- Old Testament: Isaiah 40:3–5
- New Testament: Matthew 3:1–3
- New Testament: Mark 1:1–4
- New Testament: Luke 3:1–6 (current passage)
- New Testament: John 1:19–23
The Gospel accounts identify the wilderness voice with John the Baptist's preparatory ministry. Luke quotes the passage further than the other accounts.
Related passages
- The voice Isa 40:3-5 John 1:23
- Prepare Luke 1:16-17,76-79 Isa 57:14 Isa 62:10 Mal 4:6 John 1:7,26-36 John 3:28-36
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Luke 3
The opening addresses Theophilus and explains the purpose of giving an orderly account so he may know the certainty of what he has been taught. Read the narrative as it moves from preparation for Jesus' birth to His resurrection and the promised witness.
Luke 1:1 Luke 1:3 Luke 1:4 Luke 24:47
Jesus is baptized
Luke 3:21–22FocusDivine testimony
Connection to the wholeJesus' baptism and the accompanying testimony introduce Him directly before the genealogy and wilderness testing.
interpretation The genealogy
Luke 3:23–38FocusJesus within human history
Connection to the wholeThe genealogy traces the line back to Adam and God, placing Jesus' identity within the wider human story before the temptation.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Luke
The opening addresses Theophilus and explains the purpose of giving an orderly account so he may know the certainty of what he has been taught. Read the narrative as it moves from preparation for Jesus' birth to His resurrection and the promised witness.
Luke 1:1 Luke 1:3 Luke 1:4 Luke 24:47
The births and early years
Luke 1:1–2:52FocusPromise, praise, and preparation
Connection to the wholeThe birth announcements and childhood accounts locate Jesus' coming within God's promises and the expectations expressed by faithful witnesses.
interpretation FocusJohn, baptism, and temptation
Connection to the wholeJohn's call to repentance, Jesus' baptism, the genealogy, and the temptation prepare the public ministry.
interpretation Ministry and discipleship
Luke 4:14–9:50FocusAuthority, mercy, and recognition
Connection to the wholeTeaching and mighty works reveal Jesus' identity while He forms disciples and begins to explain His coming suffering.
interpretation The journey toward Jerusalem
Luke 9:51–19:27FocusFollowing Jesus on the way
Connection to the wholeThe extended journey gathers teaching about repentance, prayer, possessions, mercy, and readiness as Jesus approaches His death.
interpretation Jerusalem and the temple
Luke 19:28–21:38FocusVisitation, conflict, and watchfulness
Connection to the wholeThe entry and temple ministry bring confrontation and teaching about Jerusalem's distress and the need to watch.
interpretation Passion, resurrection, and commission
Luke 22:1–24:53FocusScripture fulfilled and witness prepared
Connection to the wholeJesus' death and resurrection are interpreted through Scripture, leading to the proclamation of repentance and remission of sins and the promise of power.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.