Luke 3:1-6
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Birchcliff Bluffs United Church, Toronto, Canada
- Reading the Text:
- NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
- Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
- The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
- The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
- The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary & sermons.
- Historical References, Commentary and
Comparative Texts:
- The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
- Comparative texts about Baptism: Water & Spirit from DSS, Josephus, Babylonian Talmud. At (Rutgers University Dept of Religion) Mahlon H. Smith's Into His Own: Perspective on the World of Jesus companion to the historical study of Christian texts.
- "John the Baptist," The Jesus Database, an online annotated inventory of the traditions concerning the life and teachings of Jesus. Dr. Gregory C. Jenks, FaithFutures Foundation.
- The Fifteenth Year of Tiberius and John the Baptist: New Testament Parallels to the Works of Josephus. From G.J. Goldberg's Flavius Josephus Home Page. (Some of these "parallels" are speculative.)
- Exegetical Fragments. (scroll down to XLVII) Irenaeus (c 180),
- I.21, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
- IV.7, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 210)
- V.3, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 212)
- Chapter II, Considering Repentance, Tertullian (c. 203)
- Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists, John Calvin, 1558: Matthew 3:1-6/Mark 1:1-6/Luke 3:1-6.
- From the Geneva Notes.
- "John comes at the time foretold by the prophets and lays the foundation of the gospel which is exhibited unto us, setting forth the true observing of the law and free mercy in Christ, which comes after John, using also baptism which is the outward sign both of regeneration and also forgiveness of sins."
- From
Matthew
Henry's Commentary (c. 1700).
- "The scope and design of John's ministry were, to bring the people from their sins, and to their Saviour. He came preaching, not a sect, or party, but a profession; the sign or ceremony was washing with water."
- From
Wesley's
Notes.
John Wesley
(1703-1791).
- "The dominions of Herod the Great were, after his death, divided into four parts or tetrarchies. This Herod his son was tetrarch of Galilee, reigning over that fourth part of his dominions. His brother reigned over two other fourth parts, the region of Iturea, and that of Trachonitis (that tract of land on the other side Jordan, which had formerly belonged to the tribe of Manasseh.) And Lysanias (probably descended from a prince of that name, who was some years before governor of that country) was tetrarch of the remaining part of Abilene, which was a large city of Syria, whose territories reached to Lebanon and Damascus, and contained great numbers of Jews."
- From the
Commentary on the Whole Bible
(Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
- "Here the curtain of the New Testament is, as it were, drawn up, and the greatest of all epochs of the Church commences."
- From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
- Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
- Commentary,
Luke 3:1-6, Judith Jones, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org,
2015.
- "Today's Gospel begins not with the Baptist's ringing call to repentance, but with a long and detailed list of rulers."
- "The Being of Salvation," Karoline Lewis, Dear Working Preacher, 2015.
- "Advent suggests that God seems to want us to wait. God seems to expect expectation. God seems to know that the immediacy of desire is not the same as experiencing the fullness of life in the moment."
- "Audacious Historians," David Lose, ...in the Meantime, 2015.
- "We are each called, that is, to remind each other that God is at work in and through our lives for the sake of the world God loves so much."
- The Center for Excellence in Preaching, Scott Hoezee, commentary, textual notes, illustration. 2015.
- "The highway to salvation and the Word of the Lord come from and to the least likely places you could name, Luke is telling us in this Second Sunday in Advent reading."
- The Truett Pulpit, J. David Tate, 2015.
- "The words of John the Baptist call us to prepare for what is to come – the arrival of the Liberating King."
- Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2015.
- "Selective Salvation in a Fear-Filled World," Karoline Lewis, ON Scripture, Odyssey Networks, 2015. Discussion questions included. Video: ON the Street Syrian Refugees.
- "Build a Road," Lynn Miller, Art & Faith Matters, celebrating our creative and living God by generating art and architecture resources for congregations and individuals. Art and Faith Matters facebook page contains additional resources.
- "The Economics of Hope," Nancy Rockwell, The Bite in the Apple, 2015.
- "The repentance John advises to the crowds is economic change. The dedication Mary sings about is the same."
- "One Brick at a Time: Preparing the Way of the Lord," Janet H. Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2015.
- "I have offered the image of 'preparing the way of the Lord' one brick at a time. Does that work? Why or why not?"
- "From Exile to Fire," Andrew Prior, One Man's Web, 2015. Podcast.
- Bible Leads, Luke 3:1-18, Deeply Plaid, 2015.
- "The Word of God Came to John," Glenn Monson, Law and Gospel Everywhere, 2015.
- Comentario del San Lucas 3:1-6, Pablo Manuel Ferrer, Working Preacher, 2015.
- Commentary,
Luke 3:1-6, Karl Jacobson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org,
2012.
- "The baptism that John proclaims is not to be confused with the baptism, the one baptism, which Jesus brings. Rather, this might best be understood as the daily efforts to live into the grace, which is out in Christ Jesus."
- John the Baptist, Frederick Buechner, Peculiar Treasures.
- The Proclamation of John the Baptist, audio telling, story in episodes, graphic, audio and written commentaries. Go Tell Communications, Biblical Storytelling for the Global Village, 2012.
- "A Promise That's Easy to Overlook," David Lose, Dear Working Preacher, 2012.
- "There’s an audacity to today’s Gospel reading that’s easy to miss. But if you listen closely and read between the lines just a little, you’ll hear a promise that at first is easy to overlook but ultimately is as transformative as it is outrageous."
- "Wildman John," Nancy Rockwell, Bite in the Apple, 2012.
- "That John found his truth in the wilderness, and that people heard and responded to the truth he spoke there, rings true. That the Child of Bethlehem will be born among animals, and that only shepherds who sleep in open fields among animals will get to see this Child, rings true."
- "All Flesh Shall See the Salvation of God," D Mark Davis, raw translation and exegesis/questions, Left Behind and Loving It, 2012.
- "Does ‘seeing salvation’ mean 'seeing' the life, death, and resurrection of the Christ through the witness of preaching? For anyone reading Luke’s gospel, this is true, because he is showing Christ through this gospel. Of course, not 'all flesh' has either read Luke’s gospel or heard it preached."
- "John the Baptist," sermon discussion from Frederick Buechner, Frederick Buechner Blog.
- "John the Baptist didn't fool around. He lived in the wilderness around the Dead Sea. He subsisted on a starvation diet, and so did his disciples. He wore clothes that even the rummage-sale people wouldn't have handled. When he preached, it was fire and brimstone every time."
- "Outside the Inn-siders," Kyle Childress, Ekklesia Project, 2012.
- Traveling Advent to Epiphany, Advent 2, reflections by Rachel M. Srubas, Faith Forward, 2012.
- "This day, the Lord’s way is ours to prepare, the Lord’s paths ours to clear. Turn down the talk radio. Attune yourself to greater news."
- Lectionary Greek, Luke 3:1-6, Rob Myallis, 2012.
- "Setting the Scene for Advent," Alyce McKenzie, Edgy Exegesis, 2012.
- "During Advent, Luke shows us John's stage set, and he challenges us to invite him into ours."
- Lectionary Blogging, John Petty, Progressive Involvement, 2012.
- "The mission of God came through the Hebrew people, but its scope is all of humanity. Striking a strongly universal note, Luke says that everyone "will see the salvation of God.""
- Radical Gratitude, lectionary-based stewardship, Northwest United Methodist Foundation. (.pdf)
- "The Word came to who???" Peter Woods, i am listening, 2012.
- "Wild Listening and the Politics of Scripture," Timothy Wotring, Political Theology, 2012.
- "Are we only listening to those with all the power?"
- "Zack's Boy," Nanette Sawyer, The Hardest Question, 2012.
- "Can God forgive us if we don’t want God to forgive us? Do our closed hearts prevent forgiveness from touching us?"
- "Looking for Salvation," Alan Brehm, The Waking Dreamer.
- "One of the things I dislike most about the Christmas season is looking for presents, but one of the things I like most about Advent is looking for the fulfillment of God’s promises of salvation--promises like 'all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"
- "In the Wilderness with John," the Rev. Dr. Janet H. Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2012.
- "How does it help you to go into the wilderness if you do so remembering you do not go alone?"
- Holy Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours,
Luke 3:1-6, David Ewart, 2012.
- "And so again we are reminded that the desire of our flesh to see the salvation of God is to desire something that is a far cry from our present lived reality."
- "Sin at Yuletide," Rick Morley, 2012.
- "What's the Point?," Neil Chappell, a weird thing, 2012.
- "Condemnation or Warm Welcome?" Richard Mario Procida, Modern Lectionaries, 2012.
- "Reversal and Repentance," reflection by Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia.
- "The Morning Papers," Andrew Prior, 2012.
- Comentario del Evangelio por Diana Rocco Tedesco, Lucas 3:1-6, Working Preacher, 2012.
- Commentary,
Luke 3:1-6, David Lose, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org,
2009.
- "Consider again Luke's extension of the familiar passage from Isaiah: it is, ultimately, 'all flesh' that 'will see the salvation of God' (3:6). In one stroke Luke reaches across history to claim all of his readers ? then and now ? who have put their faith in Jesus."
- Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
- "First
Thoughts on Year C Gospel Passages in the Lectionary," Advent
2C,
William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
- "We are taken to the waters of hope to be immersed in renewal and revolution with the trampling feet of the dignitaries and the footsoldiers in our ears. Expounding a text like this means taking people out to that place."
-
Exegetical
Notes by Brian Stoffregen. At CrossMarks
Christian Resources.
- "Neither Matthew or Mark use any of the words related to sot- but Luke does. All of the gospels use the related verb sozo = "to save, heal, deliver." Perhaps Luke's audience was more familiar with sot- terms. Protecting gods were frequently given the title "soter," e.g., Zeus Soter. At the same that they may have been more familiar with such terms, the word group -- as well as their Hebrew equivalents -- carried the idea of "victory over enemies." "Enemies were outside forces -- an invading army or a disease that had invaded the body. Salvation meant defeating and driving out the army or healing the disease."
-
Lectionary Blogging, John Petty, Progressive Involvement,
2009.
- "Would Luke's readers have known this? Would they have understood Tiberius' 'fifteenth year' as one of particular political chaos? If so, it would underline Luke's over-all argument about the corruption of the earthly powers and God's intervention to "bring down the powerful from their thrones" (1:52). This fecklessness and brutality is typical of these worldly empires, Luke is saying, and God has intervened to show a new 'way.'"
- "John the Baptist: Divine Wisdom from the Lunatic Fringe," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation.
- "John the Baptist," Gospel Analysis, Sermons from Seattle, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington. Detailed background and exegesis.
-
Lectionary
Commentary and Preaching Paths (Advent C2), by Dennis Bratcher, at
The
Christian Resource Institute.
- "There is a newness with God in which He will remove the obstacles to proper relationship. He will not allow barriers to block His revelation to "all flesh." No matter how sinful, the call still comes, "Turn around!" But the most wonderful part is that the highway back home has already been built."
- "What Must We Do?" Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
-
"Under
Construction in Advent," Michael Hoy, Sabbatheology, The Crossings Community, 2009.
- "Caring for the creation, we seek to redesign the landscape so that equality has a greater place."
- "The Second Sunday in Advent: Luke 3:1-6," The Birth of Jesus Never Saved Anyone: The Lucan Advent Texts, Marc Kolden, Word & World: Theology for Christian Ministry, Luther Northwestern Theological School, 1991.
- "The Second Sunday in Advent: Luke 3:1-6," Promises, Promises, Gracia Grindal, Word & World: Theology for Christian Ministry, Luther Northwestern Theological School, 1988.
- Laterally Luke, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
-
"To Know Where You Are,"
Advent 2, Fr. Gerry Pierse, C.Ss.R., from Sundays Into
Silence: Reflections on the Sunday Gospels in the Light of Christian
Meditation. Claretian Publications.
- "Many people use prayer as a way of denying who and where they are."
-
Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Discussion,
Luke 3:1-6. "A place of
conversation regarding Progressive Christianity."
- "In the sixth year of the reign of President W. ... the high priesthood of James Dobson and Joel Osteen ..., etc. (you fill in the rest) there is still a need for the proclaiming of repentance/justice and forgiveness/righteousness."
-
"A Contrary Sign," Larry Broding's
Word-Sunday.Com: A Catholic
Resource for This Sunday's Gospel. Adult Study, Children's Story, Family
Activity, Support Materials.
- "When was the last time something that didn't make sense catch your attention? Did its image have contradictory messages? How was that possible?"
-
"Gospel
for the Second Sunday in Advent: Luke 3:1-6," from Exegesis for the Christian
Year, Henry Gustafson, 1998. At
Religion
Online.
- "Preoccupation with cybernetics and technologies tend to enervate one’s capacity to experience an epiphany. We often fail to make "intellectual space" for God in our reflections about our social and personal lives, and we tend to dwarf our assumptions about the perceptive capacities and destinies of humans."
- "John the Baptist," wikipedia.
- Commentary,
Luke 3:1-6, Judith Jones, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org,
2015.
- Recommended articles
from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are
linked below.
ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of
selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
- Benke, Richard, "2nd Sunday in Advent," Concordia
Journal, 1985.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Blumenthal, David R., "Repentance and Forgiveness,"
CrossCurrents, 1998.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Boulton, Elizabeth Myer, "Living by the Word: Baruch 5:1-9, Luke 3:1-6," The Christian Century,
2009.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Brueggemann, Walter,
"Expository Article: Luke 3:1-4," Interpretation, 1976.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Chakoian, Christine,
"Between Text & Sermon, Luke 3:1-16," Interpretation, 1999.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Downing, F. Gerald,
"Psalms and the Baptist," Journal for the Study of the New Testament,
2006.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Edelman, Marian
Wright,
"A Parent, Community, and National Audit: Who Are Our Children Modeling?"
The Living Pulpit, 2003.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Grindal, Gracia,
"Promises, Promises," Word & World, 1988.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Grant, Robert McQueen, "The Occasion of Luke 3:1-2,"
Harvard Theological Review, 1940.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Hall, Douglas John, "Preaching Lenten Repentance to a
Nation and a Church," Journal for Preachers, 2008.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Hauerwas, Stanley, "Preaching Repentance in a Time of
War," Journal for Preachers, 2008.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Hug, James E., S.J.,
"Birthing the Peace of Justice," The Living Pulpit, 1997.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Hutchison, John C.,
"Was John the Baptist an Essene from Qumran?" Bibliotheca Sacra,
2002.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Kay, James F.,
"Ready for Prime Time," The Christian Century, 1997.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Kolden, Marc,
"The Birth of Jesus Never Saved Anyone: The Lucan Advent Texts,"
Word
& World, 1991.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Lee, Mark,
"An Evangelical Dialogue on Luke, Salvation, and Spirit Baptism,"
Pneuma, 2004.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Marty, Martin E.,
"Riding High," The Christian Century, 2002.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Miller, David B., "Preaching Lenten
Repentance to Church and Nation: Deep Memory and the Catechesis of
Repentance," Journal for Preachers, 2008.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Ochs, Peter,
"Church and Sociality," The Living Pulpit, 2000.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - O'Driscoll, Herbert,
"Opening Act," The Christian Century, 2003.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Otey, Rush,
"Gospel Fragments for Advent," Journal for Preachers, 2000.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Petrucelli, Linda,
"The Patron Saint of Sharing," The Living Pulpit, 1997.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Phelan, John E., Jr.,
"Church Growth: Marketing or Mission?" The Living Pulpit, 2000.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Russell, Letty M.,
"Going Out of Business," The Christian Century, 1991.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Webb-Mitchell, Brett,
"'For Crying Out Loud!' Second Sunday of Advent," Journal for
Preachers, 1995.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Benke, Richard, "2nd Sunday in Advent," Concordia
Journal, 1985.
- Sermons:
- "Getting to the Other Side," Bradley Schmeling, Day 1, 2015.
- "Live Prepared," the Rev. Dr. John Westerhoff, III, Day 1, 2012.
- "Uncluttering," the Rev. Dr. Wiley Stephens, Day 1, 2009.
- "We Need to Change?" Walter W. Harms, Advent 2, 10 December 2006, Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors.
- "A Parable: The City and the Wilderness," Advent 2A, Rev. Edward F. Markquart, Sermons from Seattle.
- Father Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily:
- With Children:
- Worshiping with Children, Advent 2, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2012.
- "John the Baptist," Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
- "John the Baptist," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
- "Figures of Faith: A Series of Children's Messages for Advent," Laura Venhuizen, Reformed Worship.
- Drama:
- "A Voice in the Desert," from A Certain Jesus by Jose Ignacio and Maria Lopez Vigil. Ideal for catechetical and liturgical dramatization of today's gospel. Claretian Publications.
- Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
- Clip Art, Luke 3:3, Luke 3:4, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
- Clip Art Images: Luke 3:1-6, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
- Luke 3:1-6, Liturgical Drawing, Maria d.c. Zamora, Claretian Resources, Philippines. ("Download and use these for free.")
- Luke 3:1-6 at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Liberation emphasis.
- Clip Art, Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld woodcuts, World Mission Collection, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
- Commercial Site: "A Voice in the Wilderness," Visual Liturgy/Film, The Work of the People.
- Hymns and Music:
- "John Spoke As a Prophet" a hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, lifts up John the Baptist's call to repent. Tune: TO GOD BE THE GLORY 11. 11. 11. 11 with Refrain.
- “Down by the Jordan,” Carolyn Winfrey Gillette’s hymn celebrates Jesus’ baptism and baptism today. The hymn is in the United Methodists’ Worship and Song (2011). Tune: LOBE DEN HERREN 14.14.4.7.8 (“Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty”).
- Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
- Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
- Hymnal Scripture References, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
- Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
- Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
- Find Worship Resources & Suggested Other Readings for use with this text:
- Study Links and Resources for the Book of Luke
