Luke 3:10
in Luke 3The crowds asked him, “What then should we do?”
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
And the multitudes asked him, saying, What then must we do?
KJV
And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
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This verse in Luke 3
Commentary
17 notes on this verseThe Baptist gave a fitting response to each kind of people. To the tax collectors he said that they should not exact payment beyond what was appointed. To the soldiers, that they should not make false accusations or rob anyone, by which he meant that their pay was fixed, so that wanting to have more, they could not resort to plunder. These and other precepts are appropriate for all occupations, and the practice of compassion is shared. Thus it is a common precept that the basic necessities of life must be provided for all occupations, all ages and all people.
This site's exposition
The crowds asked him
on Luke 3:10-11
The crowds are the first of three groups in this scene to ask what they should do. John answers with ordinary charity: whoever has two tunics should share. The demand carries the old prophetic concern for the poor that Isaiah 58 had already voiced.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers3 voices
Three classes of men are introduced as enquiring of John concerning their salvation, one which the Scripture calls the multitude, another to which it gives the name of Publicans, and a third which is noticed by the appellation of soldiers. But this place admits of a deeper meaning, for as we ought not to serve two masters, so neither to have two coats, lest one should be the clothing of the old man, the other of the new, but we ought to cast off the old man, and give to him who is naked. For one man has one coat, another has none at all, the strength therefore of the two is exactly contrary, and as it has been written that we should cast all our crimes to the bottom of the sea, so ought we to throw from us our vices and errors, and lay them upon him who has been the cause of them.
St. Luke has introduced three groups of people that ask John questions—the multitudes, the tax collectors and the soldiers. Just as a skillful physician applies to each sickness a suitable and fitting remedy, so also the Baptist gave to each group, representing a mode of life, useful and appropriate advice. He told the multitudes to practice mutual kindness as they strive for repentance. In the case of the tax collectors, he put an end to unrestrained taxation. Then, very wisely, he told the soldiers to oppress no one but be content with their wages.
A commentator
Cyril of AlexandriaCommentary on the Gospel of Luke, Sermons VIII and IX · Written before 444.
proposed
THE blessed Luke has introduced three classes of men making inquiry of John,----the multitudes, the publicans, and, thirdly, the soldiers: and as a skilful physician applies to each malady a suitable and fitting remedy, so also the Baptist gave to each mode of life useful and becoming counsel, bidding the multitudes in their course towards repentance practise mutual kindness: for the publicans, he stops the way to unrestrained exactions: and very wisely tells the soldiers to oppress no one, but be content with their wages.
The Medieval Church2 voices
John instructs three classes of people who came to him: the common class of people, tax collectors, and soldiers. He persuades the common class of people to be diligent in almsgiving, commanding that whoever has "two garments" should share with the one who has none. …
And the crowds asked him etc. After the Evangelist commended the preaching of the precursor in general, here he commends it in particular according to the instruction with respect to special persons of the people. Moreover his teaching is commended in this part: first, in …
10 more voices on this verse
The Medieval Church4 voices
From these words of John the Baptist it is clear that the hearts of the hearers were disturbed, since it is immediately added: "And the crowds asked him, saying: 'What then shall we do?'" For they had been struck with terror who were seeking counsel.
(ubi sup.) In the preceding words of John, it is plain that the hearts of his hearers were troubled, and sought for advice from him. As it is added, And they asked him, saying, &c.
And the crowds asked him, saying: What then shall we do? For they were struck with terror, seeking advice.
Now to the Publicans and soldiers he gives a commandment to abstain from evil, but the multitudes, as not living in an evil condition, he commands to perform some good work, as it follows, He that hath two coats, let him give one.
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
He answereth - It is not properly John, but the Holy Ghost, who teaches us in the following answers, how to come ourselves, and how to instruct other penitent sinners to come to Christ, that he may give them rest. The sum of all this is, Cease to do evil, learn to do well. These are the fruits worthy of repentance.
And the people asked him,....
The Nineteenth Century4 voices
A commentator
J.C. Ryle1816–1900
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition) (1858)
proposed
We have, in these verses, a specimen of John the Baptist's ministry. It is a portion of Scripture which should always be especially interesting to a Christian mind. The immense effect which John produced on the Jews, however temporary — is evident, from many expressions in the Gospels. The remarkable testimony which our Lord bore to John, as "a prophet greater than any born of woman," is well-known to all Bible readers. WHAT THEN WAS THE CHARACTER OF JOHN'S MINISTRY? This is the question to which the chapter before us supplies a practical answer.
A commentator
J.C. Ryle1816–1900
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition) (1858)
proposed
We have, in these verses, a specimen of John the Baptist's ministry. It is a portion of Scripture which should always be especially interesting to a Christian mind. The immense effect which John produced on the Jews, however temporary — is evident, from many expressions in the Gospels. The remarkable testimony which our Lord bore to John, as "a prophet greater than any born of woman," is well-known to all Bible readers. WHAT THEN WAS THE CHARACTER OF JOHN'S MINISTRY? This is the question to which the chapter before us supplies a practical answer. We should first mark — the holy boldness with which John addresses the multitudes who came to his baptism. He speaks to them as a "brood of vipers!" He saw the rottenness and hypocrisy of the profession which the crowd around him were making, and uses language descriptive of their case. His head was not turned by popularity. He did not care who was offended by his words. The spiritual disease of those before him was desperate, and of long standing — and he knew that desperate diseases need strong remedies! Well would it be for the Church of Christ, if it possessed more plain speaking ministers in our days — like John the Baptist. A morbid dislike to strong language; an excessive fear of giving offence; a constant flinching from directness and plain speaking — are, unhappily, too much the characteristics of the modern Christian pulpit. Uncharitable language is no doubt always to be deprecated. But there is no charity . . . in flattering unconverted people, in abstaining from any mention of their vices, or in applying smooth names to damnable sins! There are two texts which are too much forgotten by Christian preachers. In one it is written, "Woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you." Luke 6:26. In the other it is written, "Am I now trying to win the approval of men — or of God?
What shall we do then? - The preaching of the Baptist had been accompanied with an uncommon effusion of that Spirit which convinces of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The people who heard him now earnestly begin to inquire what they must do to be saved? They are conscious that they are exposed to the judgments of the Lord, and they wish to escape from the coming wrath.
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
What shall we do, then? - John had told them to bring forth fruits appropriate to repentance, or to lead a life which showed that their repentance was genuine. They very properly, therefore, asked how it should be done, or what “would be” such a life.
The words behind it
9 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| καὶ | kai | And | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| ἐπηρώτων | eperoton | were asking | G1905 → | 56 times |
| αὐτὸν | auton | him | G846 → | 5565 times |
| οἱ | hoi | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ὄχλοι | ochloi | crowds | G3793 → | 175 times |
| λέγοντες· | legontes | saying; | G3004 → | 1325 times |
| τί | ti | What | G5101 → | 563 times |
| οὖν | oun | then | G3767 → | 497 times |
| ποιήσωμεν; | poiesomen | shall we do? | G4160 → | 569 times |
καὶAnd
kaiG2532 →9120 times
ἐπηρώτωνwere asking
eperotonG1905 →56 times
αὐτὸνhim
autonG846 →5565 times
οἱthe
hoiG3588 →19766 times
ὄχλοιcrowds
ochloiG3793 →175 times
λέγοντες·saying;
legontesG3004 →1325 times
τίWhat
tiG5101 →563 times
οὖνthen
ounG3767 →497 times
ποιήσωμεν;shall we do?
poiesomenG4160 →569 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Acts 2:37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
it leads to
- Acts 22:10
Then I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ ‘Get up and go into Damascus,’ He told me. ‘There you will be told all that you have been appointed to do.’
Reached by 3 separate paths from here.
- Hebrews 4:12–13
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
- Acts 22:10
Through
Luke 3:14Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” “Do not take money by force or false accusation,” he said. “Be content with your wages.”
it leads to
- Hebrews 13:5–6
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”
- Exodus 20:16
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
- 1 Timothy 6:8–10
But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.
- Exodus 23:1
“You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness.
- Philippians 4:11
I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances.
- Hebrews 13:5–6
Through
Luke 3:12Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”
it leads to
- Luke 7:29
All the people who heard this, even the tax collectors, acknowledged God’s justice. For they had received the baptism of John.
- Luke 7:29
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies10
On this verse
About Luke
This page draws on 16 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrose of Milan, EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 2.77; Bede, On the Gospel of Luke; Bonaventure, Commentary on Luke, Chapter 3; Cyril of Alexandria, COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILIES 8-9; Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on the Gospel of Luke, Sermons VIII and IX; Gregory the Dialogist, Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 20; Gregory the Dialogist, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition); Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Origen of Alexandria, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Luke and Theophylact of Ohrid, Catena Aurea by Aquinas.