What Should We Do?

Luke 15-18

The surface of still water in a stone basin reflecting pale sky, the reflection almost but not quite perfect, with a thin dark line at the water's edge

The people were filled with expectation. Everyone was quietly wondering whether John himself might be the MessiahtranslateTextMessiah (χριστός)"The Anointed One"—the king promised by God who would liberate Israel and bring justice. Under Roman occupation, the longing for the Messiah was especially intense. John was a fascinating figure—no wonder people asked if he might be the one..

John answered them all:

"I baptize you with water. But one who is mightier than ItranslateTextmightier than I (ὁ ἰσχυρότερός μου)In the Hebrew Bible, God himself is "the Mighty One of Israel" (Isaiah 1:24). The historical John probably expected God's direct intervention in judgment. Early Christians understood this expectation as fulfilled in Jesus - the divine Messiah who exceeds even the greatest prophet. is coming. I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals—I am not even the least servant in his household. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. He has his winnowing forktranslateTextwinnowing fork (πτύον)An agricultural tool used to separate wheat from chaff on the threshing floorpublicCulturethreshing floorOn the threshing floor, threshed grain was thrown into the air with winnowing forks. The wind separated the light chaff from the heavy wheat. Agricultural communities understood this daily process - complete separation was essential. The image powerfully conveys final judgment: decisive sorting with no middle ground.. Grain was thrown into the air; the wind blew away the light chaff while the heavy wheat fell back down. The image emphasizes separation and judgment - some are wheat (gathered), others chaff (burned). in hand—the farmer's tool at harvest time. He will thoroughly clean out his threshing floor, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with unquenchable fire—judgment is coming, and there is no escape."

With many other exhortations, he proclaimed good newstranslateTextgood news (εὐηγγελίζετο)Luke remarkably calls John's stern judgment preaching "gospel" - the same word used for Jesus' ministry. Warning and hope are inseparable in prophetic preaching. Even talk of fire and axes serves the goal of rescue through repentance - God's desire to save, not condemn. to the people. Yes, good news—because even the warning about fire was a call to rescue.

Additional Notes

public
Culture sandal strap expand_more

Removing sandals was the most menial slave task in the ancient world. Even disciples wouldn't perform this service for their teachers (Craig Keener). In a high power-distance culture (Hofstede), John's statement is shocking: he places himself below even slaves in relation to the Coming One - an impossible social degradation that emphasizes the Messiah's supreme authority.
link
Context Spirit and fire expand_more

Different Christian traditions have emphasized different aspects of this promise. Pentecostals focus on the empowering fire of Acts 2:3 - the Spirit as divine enablement for ministry. Catholics and Orthodox emphasize the purifying fire - sanctification through grace. Protestants often stress the judging fire - divine wrath poured out on sin. Luke likely intends both purification and judgment, with Pentecost as the positive fulfillment.

menu_book

Exegesis Study deeper

arrow_forward

menu_book Study Notes

translate
Text 3:15

Messiah (χριστός)

"The Anointed One"—the king promised by God who would liberate Israel and bring justice. Under Roman occupation, the longing for the Messiah was especially intense. John was a fascinating figure—no wonder people asked if he might be the one.
translate
Text 3:16

mightier than I (ὁ ἰσχυρότερός μου)

In the Hebrew Bible, God himself is "the Mighty One of Israel" (Isaiah 1:24). The historical John probably expected God's direct intervention in judgment. Early Christians understood this expectation as fulfilled in Jesus - the divine Messiah who exceeds even the greatest prophet.
public
Culture 3:16

sandal strap

Removing sandals was the most menial slave task in the ancient world. Even disciples wouldn't perform this service for their teachers (Craig Keener). In a high power-distance culture (Hofstede), John's statement is shocking: he places himself below even slaves in relation to the Coming One - an impossible social degradation that emphasizes the Messiah's supreme authority.
link
Context 3:16

Spirit and fire

Different Christian traditions have emphasized different aspects of this promise. Pentecostals focus on the empowering fire of Acts 2:3 - the Spirit as divine enablement for ministry. Catholics and Orthodox emphasize the purifying fire - sanctification through grace. Protestants often stress the judging fire - divine wrath poured out on sin. Luke likely intends both purification and judgment, with Pentecost as the positive fulfillment.
translate
Text 3:17

winnowing fork (πτύον)

An agricultural tool used to separate wheat from chaff on the threshing floor. Grain was thrown into the air; the wind blew away the light chaff while the heavy wheat fell back down. The image emphasizes separation and judgment - some are wheat (gathered), others chaff (burned).
public
Culture 3:17

threshing floor

On the threshing floor, threshed grain was thrown into the air with winnowing forks. The wind separated the light chaff from the heavy wheat. Agricultural communities understood this daily process - complete separation was essential. The image powerfully conveys final judgment: decisive sorting with no middle ground.
translate
Text 3:18

good news (εὐηγγελίζετο)

Luke remarkably calls John's stern judgment preaching "gospel" - the same word used for Jesus' ministry. Warning and hope are inseparable in prophetic preaching. Even talk of fire and axes serves the goal of rescue through repentance - God's desire to save, not condemn.

Stay Updated