Conversation Points on Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

Study Format:
1. Read passage aloud. What did you notice in the reading? What words or phrase caught your attention?
2. Read passage aloud a second time. What questions would you ask the text?
3. Read passage aloud a third time. What do you hear God calling you to do or be in response to this text?

Interesting Ideas to Consider:
• V. 16-17 has parallels in all the Gospels (Mark 1:7-8; Matt 3:11-12; John 1:26-27). But unique in Luke, “the people” rather than the authorities question whether John is the Messiah, and they were “filled with expectation” instead of opposition.
• The move from “crowds” earlier in Luke 3:10, to “people” in Luke 3:15 demonstrates Israel’s receptivity to God’s work among them.
• Each of the Gospels treats the baptism of Jesus differently. Key differences in Luke and how they help to support areas of importance in Luke:
• It is described after John is imprisoned (Luke 3:18-20) – a mark of succession from John who will “make ready a people” (Luke 1:17) to Jesus
• Prayer is emphasized – Luke emphasizes prayer practices. John’s birth announced during a time of prayer (1:10), Jesus prays at important moments in his ministry: before calling the disciples (6:12), at Caesarea Philippi (9:18), before the transfiguration (9:28), before his death (22:40-46), on the cross (23:34, 46), as the disciples prepare for the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:14).
• The spirit descends “in bodily form” – signs of Jesus as the apocalyptic (revealed) fulfillment. The opening of heaven is an apocalyptic motif in the Old Testament, having the heavens open at Jesus baptism marks Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel’s hopes. The “bodily” descent links with the “bodily” form of the risen Lord. • Coming of the Holy Spirit on Jesus marked the start of his public ministry. When the Holy Spirit shows up, things happen (Acts 2:1-20).
• Two descriptors of God’s relationship to Jesus – “the Beloved” and “with whom I am well pleased.” “Beloved” is a term reserved for Jesus in Luke, at the transfiguration (Luke 9:35) and in the parable of the wicked tenants (Luke 20:13). “Well pleased” is a attribute of God, when the angels announce God’s favor (2:14), God’s gracious will to hid the revelation from the wise and to give all things to the Son (10:21-22), God’s good pleasure to give the kingdom to those prepared for it (12:32). The baptism then reveals both Jesus’ identity and God’s character.

Works Sourced:
Culpepper, R. Alan. “The Gospel of Luke.” The New Interpreter’s Bible Volume IX. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1995.