Background Scripture: Luke 3:1-20; John 1
Lesson Background: The gospel writer, Luke, tells of the angel of the Lord’s visit to Zacharias while in the temple performing his priestly duties burning incense on the altar. The angel identified himself as Gabriel. Gabriel informed Zacharias that he and his wife Elizabeth who were both well stricken in age prayer had been answered. Elizabeth would bear him a son whose name would be called John.
As the angel stated to Zacharias, the birth of John would be celebrated.
John’s appearance in Luke’s narrative is about thirty years later.
The Prophet Appears (Luke 3:2b-6):
In the Wilderness (vv. 2b-3). “The word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.” It was during the period of spiritual decline that “the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.” The point conveyed here was that John’s message was not his own but the dynamic word of “God” Himself. In the Old Testament,” the wilderness” was the place of preparation for ministry for Moses and Elijah. In the same way, “God” spoke “to John in the wilderness” and gave him the message of repentance that he was to proclaim in Israel (see Luke 3:7-8).
“And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sin.” After being summoned by God to preach, like an itinerant and traveling preacher, John came into all the country about Jordan. The message that John preached was the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. John was saying being a descendant of Abraham was not enough for entrance into the kingdom of God that many Jews thought. The fundamental meaning of “repentance” is a change of mind. In essence, he or she is turning away from “sin” and turning to God. John’s “baptism” was a visible affirmation of “repentance.”
The Prophet’s Identity (Luke 3:15-18).
The Crowd’s Expectation (v. 15). “And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not.” As “John” presented God’s message to the multitude, they were filled with “expectation” concerning who John was. Simply put, the crowd wondered if John was the Messiah or not (see John 1:19-27).
The Coming Messiah (vv. 16-18). “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.” John was baptizing people who repented in the “water” of the Jordan River; however, “John” also said that the Person for whom he was preparing the way was far “mightier” than he was. This Man was so great that “John” knew he was “not worthy to unloose” or unfasten “the latchet” or sandal strap of “His” shoes.
“He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire” (16b). The baptism of “the Holy Ghost” empowers a person for spiritual life and service ( see Acts 2:1-4). “Fire” is often used in Scripture to picture divine judgment (see Isaiah 4:4-5). Therefore, the baptism with “fire” points to judgment.
References: International Sunday School Lessons KJV 2022-2023, Standard Lesson Commentary