Luke 3:15-22

With thanks to page sponsor:
Rev Mike Mair
Dundee, Scotland
in appreciation of Jenee's work
(Nov0910)

• 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: 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• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts: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.
  • Stephen Carlson's Greek Synoptic Parallels: 3:15-18, 3:21-22.
  • 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 Baptizes Jesus," The Jesus Database, an online annotated inventory of the traditions concerning the life and teachings of Jesus. Dr. Gregory C. Jenks, FaithFutures Foundation.
  • 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.)
  • I.III.5, IV.XXXIII.1, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
  • II.12, Paedagogus, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • V.8, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • III.24, Ecclesiastical History, Eusebius of Caesarea (c 320).
  • Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists, John Calvin, 1558: Matthew 3:13-17/Mark 1:9-11/Luke 3:21-23, Matthew 4:12, 17/Mark 1:14-15, Luke 3:19-20/Luke 4:14-15.
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "If we would rightly and fruitfully receive the sacraments, we must neither rest in the signs, neither in him that ministers the signs, but lift up our eyes to Christ, who is the author of the sacraments, and the giver of that which is represented by the sacraments."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary (c. 1700).
    • "Christ did not confess sin, as others did, for he had none to confess; but he prayed, as others did, and kept up communion with his Father."
  • From Wesley's Notes. John Wesley (1703-1791).
    • "It is observable, that the three voices from heaven, see Lu 9:29,35; John 12:28; by which the Father bore witness to Christ, were pronounced either while he was praying, or quickly after it. Mt 3:13; Mr 1:9."
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "when all the people were baptized--that He might not seem to be merely one of the crowd. Thus, as He rode into Jerusalem upon an ass, "whereon yet never man sat" (Lu 19:30), and lay in a sepulchre "wherein was never man yet laid" (Joh 19:41), so in His baptism He would be "separate from sinners.""
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • Commentary, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 (Baptism of our Lord), Roy Harrisville, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2010.
    • "Great expectations have always been part of the human story."
  • "Affirmed by Love," reflection by Kate Huey, Baptism of Christ, 2010, SAMUEL at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
    • "Blessing.  Beloved.  Fire, wind, and water: life is utterly mysterious and yet, here in the unknown, here in the midst of all that might make us afraid, God is near to us, just as God was near to Jesus as he stood there in the River Jordan..."
  • 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," Baptism of Our Lord, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "In a world of above and below, above and below meet in Jesus."
  • Exegetical Notes by Brian Stoffregen at CrossMarks Christian Resources.
    • "I don't think that Luke tell us about Jesus' baptism just to inform us about what happened to Jesus. He relates this story also to indicate something about our baptisms, our need to be in prayer, our anointing with the Spirit, and our subsequent battles with evil and ministry in the world."
  • "The Messiah's Credentials," George C. Heider, Blogging toward Sunday, Theolog: The Blog of The Christian Century, 2010.
    • "Since Jesus’ baptism is featured this week in all three lectionary years, it’s important to take into account the different emphases and nuances..."
  • Preaching the Lesson, Thomas Troeger, Lectionary Homiletics sample, 2010.
    • "Every time we have a baptism in our churches, we are making a statement of the same good news that John preached. It is not good news to the Herods of the earth. It is not good news to those who want to shut up the transforming power of God, including those who do it in the name of narrowly doctrinaire religion."
  • Lectionary Blogging, John Petty, Progressive Involvement, 2010.
    • "The reference to fire has invited much comment throughout the history of the church.  Perhaps fire is connected with the Spirit, as the experience of Pentecost would indicate (Acts 2:3).  Or, perhaps fire is an image independent of Spirit, and recalls "the refiner's fire" of Malachi 3:2."
  • "The Baptism of Jesus," Mary Hinkle Shore, Pilgrim Preaching: Keeping Company with Biblical Texts and the People Who Hear and Preach Them.
    • "The challenge of this text is to preach Jesus, rather than preaching to people about how 'your baptism makes you a child of God.'"
  • Holy Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, David Ewart, 2010.
    • "Jesus' baptism is not about repentance. It is about his identity being publically, ritually re-rooted into God."
  • "The Voice in the Wilderness," Sea Raven, Liberal Christian Commentary, 2010.
    • "As John Dominic Crossan puts it, John the Baptist was a sole proprietor, but Jesus started a franchise.  The question for today is, what kind of franchise, and is it still worth signing up for, given the work and the end result?"
  • "Baptism of Jesus," Gospel Analysis, Sermons from Seattle, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington. Detailed background and exegesis.
    • "In our baptism, similar things happen to us as happened to Jesus when he was baptized: 1) The Spirit of God comes into us and remains in us. 2) We are declared to be a child of God. 3) We hear that God is well pleased with us."
  • "Jesus, the Messiah with the Life-Giving Spirit," Carolyn Schneider, Sabbatheology, The Crossings Community, 2010.
    • "God's granary turns out not to be a storehouse for food that will be cooked and consumed. Rather, it holds living seeds to be planted, to sprout and grow, taking on a completely new form. This is the Messiah's incomparable creative power to save and renew God's world."
  • "The Experiential Jesus," Jeremiah Bartram, Gospel for Gays, 2010.
    • "I like to think of Jesus in this way.  I like to think that he did not know what God wanted of him; neither did he fully understand the powers that God would work through him – until he learned that mission and experienced those powers through experience."
  • "The Baptism of Jesus: A Vision and a Voice," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation.
    • "How do religious and political powers deny people access to God's free mercy?"
  • Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Discussion, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, Wesley White. "A place of conversation regarding Progressive Christianity."
    • "One way of trying to clear ourselves of mechanizing baptism and sub-dividing it into component parts is to look at our involvement in the process."
  • Laterally Luke, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
  • "The Baptism of Jesus," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources.
    • "For those of us who read the story today, we find assurance in the knowledge that in Christ we have passed over the river Jordan and entered the promised land. Our wandering is over and our reward is assured."
  • Expository Essay, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, Dr. William R. Long. Part 2.
    • "Unless we are ready to embrace the confusion that must have surrounded the people, John, and even Jesus on that day of his baptism, we may not be ready to take the journey with him."
  • "'Heaven Was Opened,'" Jerry Goebel, One Family Outreach. "Focus on scripture from a justice perspective." Exegesis, study, and teen study and activities.
    • "The heavens opened [GSN455 anoigo] means that the Heavens broke forth.  God’s perfect will “broke forth,” opened and was revealed to those present. One other use of this term is “spoken freely.”  For an instant, those who testified to this moment were allowed to hear God’s perfect will be spoken freely in all three of it’s integrated forms: Father, Son and Holy Spirit united as One."
  • "The Outset," John Stendahl, The Christian Century, 1997. At Religion Online.
    • "Not every cry can be answered and not every call is from God. So it is a blessing when we can thank God for the joy of purpose in our lives and for times when the call to a certain task seems clear. Yet even when our callings seem hard to sort out or beyond our ability to fulfill, even in the day of failure and betrayal, I pray to remember again the calling that comes first and last. The tasks and duties do matter, but what abides -- our identity, our belonging, our hope -- is heard here by the waters."
  • Lectionary Commentary and Preaching Paths (Baptism [Epiphany 1] C), by Dennis Bratcher, at The Christian Resource Institute.
    • "So rather than using end-of-the-world kinds of apocalyptic imagery, Luke is more concerned with emphasizing the newness that is coming into the world in the present as a result of the coming of Jesus. That suggests that heaven opening is really the inauguration, not only of Jesus ministry as the Christ, but also of a new way of God’s working in the world through the Holy Spirit active in the Church."
• Articles & Background:
  • "John the Baptist," "Baptism of Jesus," wikipedia.
  • "Why Didn't John the Baptist Commit Himself to Jesus As a Disciple?" Michael H. Crosby, Biblical Theology Bulletin, 2008.
    • "A more critical reading of Luke and, especially, Matthew points to the possibility that John's 'pre-understanding' vis-a-vis the Messiah kept him from making the leap of faith to become a disciple of Jesus."
  • "Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry," Faith and Order Paper No. 111. World Council of Churches, 1982. Theological and practical commentary.
• ATLASerials is now available on multiple platforms.  Direct links are currently available for ATLASerials via EBSCOhost and ATLA platforms when you are subscribed and logged in to ATLAS on one of these platforms. If you are unsure about which link to choose, please contact support@atla.com.
  • Charles, J. Daryl, "The 'Coming One'/'Stronger One' and His Baptism: Matt 3:11-12, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16-17," Pneuma, 1989.
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  • Dennison, Charles G., "How Is Jesus the Son of God? Luke's Baptism Narrative and Christology," Calvin Theological Journal, 1982.
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  • Downing, F. Gerald, "Psalms and the Baptist," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 2006.
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  • Ennis, P.C., "The Power of Approval," Journal for Preachers, 2009.
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  • Erickson, Richard J., "The Jailing of John and the Baptism of Jesus: Luke 3:19-21," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 1993.
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  • Gero, Stephen, "The Spirit as a Dove at the Baptism of Jesus," Novum Testamentum, 1976.
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  • Good, Jack, "Naming Names," The Christian Century, 2003.
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  • Hornik, Heidi J., "The Baptism of Christ and Temptations by Michele Tosini: A Lukan Reading," Interpretation, 2007.
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  • Johnson, S. Lewis, Jr., "The Baptism of Christ," Bibliotheca Sacra, 1966.
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  • Kirk, Alan, "Upbraiding Wisdom: John's Speech and the Beginning of Q," Novum Testamentum, 1998.
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  • Klassan-Wiebe, Sheila, "Luke 3:15-17, 21-22," Interpretation, 1994.
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  • Lee, Mark, "An Evangelical Dialogue on Luke, Salvation, and Spirit Baptism," Pneuma, 2004.
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  • Luther, Martin, "'This Is My Son, the Beloved': Sermon on the Baptism of Jesus, The Epiphany of Our Lord (January 6, 1534)," Word & World, 1996.
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  • McDonnell, Kilian, "The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan and the Descent into Hell," Worship, 1995.
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  • McDonnell, Kilian, O.S.B., "Jesus' Baptism in the Jordan," Theological Studies, 1995.
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  • Mouw, Richard J., "Baptism and the Salvific Status of Children: An Examination of Some Intra-Reformed Debates," Calvin Theological Journal, 2006.
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  • Petrucelli, Linda, "The Patron Saint of Sharing," The Living Pulpit, 1997.
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  • Rogness, Michael, "'You Are My Son, the Beloved': The Epiphany Gospels," Word & World, 2004.
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  • Smith, Daniel A., "Irenaeus and the Baptism of Jesus," Theological Studies, 1997.
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  • Stendahl, John, "The Outset," The Christian Century, 1997.
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  • Storey, Peter, "Somebody's Calling My Name," The Christian Century, 2000.
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  • Walker, John F., "Faith-based Bathing: What Is the Role of Baptism in Faith and Salvation?" Christianity Today, 2003.
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  • Wangerin, Mark E.,"The Baptism of our Lord: 1st Sunday after the Epiphany," Concordia Journal, 1985.
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  • Webb, Robert L., "The Activity of John the Baptist's Expected Figure at the Threshing Floor (Matthew 3.12 = Luke 3.17)," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 1991.
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  • Zeitlin, Solomon, "The HALAKA in the Gospels and Its Relation to the Jewish Law at the Time of Jesus," Hebrew Union College Annual, 1924.
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• Reviews:
  • Reviews: Florence Morgan Gillman, Herodias: At Home in That Fox's Den (Liturgical Press, 2003) Reviews by Donna Wallace and Eric Noffke in SBL's Review of Biblical Literature.
  • Lawrence, Jonathan D., Washing in Water: Trajectories of Ritual Bathing in the Hebrew Bible and Second Temple Literature. Society of Biblical Literature/Brill, 2006. Review by James W. Watts, Review of Biblical Literature, 2007.
• Sermons:
  • "God Believes in You," the Rev. Dr. Joanna Adams, Day 1, 2010.
  • "Baptism? What Do We Teach?" Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Sermons from Seattle, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
  • "The Life of the Beloved," Fr. Henri Nouwen, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 1991.
    • "The great call is to put our brokenness under the blessing, to live it as people of whom good things are being said."
  • "Called by Name," the Rev. Dr. Thomas G. Long, Day 1, 2004.
  • "Baptism? What Do We Teach?" Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
  • "Sermon for the Baptism of the Lord," Mr. Dayton Edmonds, Day 1, 2001.
• With Children:
  • "John the Baptist," "Jesus' Baptism and Ministry," Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
  • "Jesus Is Baptized by John in the River Jordan," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
  • "Jesus Is Baptized and Brings the Good News," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
  • "New Beginnings," children's sermon, coloring page. Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons 4 Kids.
  • "John the Baptist," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
• Drama:
  • "Baptism in the River Jordan," 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 Images: Baptism of Christ, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Luke 3:15-22 at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Liberation emphasis.
  • Liturgical Drawing, Luke 3:15-16, 21-22, Maria d.c. Zamora, Claretian Resources, Philippines. ("Download and use these for free.")
  • Clip Art, Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld woodcuts, World Mission Collection, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
  • Commercial Site: "Baptism of Our Lord," Visual Liturgy/Film, The Work of the People.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
  • "Down by the Jordan," original hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, LOBE DEN HERREN 14 14.478.
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Luke 3:16, 22. The Cyber Hymnal.
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
  • John the Baptist
  • Baptism of Jesus
  • Baptism
• Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
  • John the Baptist Types
  • Baptism
  • Call
• Find Worship Resources & Suggested Other Readings for use with this text:
  • Epiphany/Ordinary 1 (Baptism of the Lord) C
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Luke