📖 Luke — Chapter 3 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Luke 3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, RPontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,
Luke 3:2 RAnnas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
Luke 3:3 And he came into all Rthe country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
Luke 3:4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, RThe voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Luke 3:5 Every Rvalley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;
Luke 3:6 RAnd all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
Luke 3:7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, RO generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Luke 3:8 Bring forth therefore Rfruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
Luke 3:9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Luke 3:10 And the people asked him, saying, RWhat shall we do then?
Luke 3:11 He answereth and saith unto them, RHe that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
Luke 3:12 Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?
Luke 3:13 And he said unto them, RExact no more than that which is appointed you.
Luke 3:14 And Rthe soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
Luke 3:15 And as the people were in Rexpectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;
Luke 3:16 John answered, saying unto them all, RI indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
Luke 3:17 Whose Rfan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.
Luke 3:18 RAnd many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.
Luke 3:19 But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,
Luke 3:20 RAdded yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.
Luke 3:21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, Rthat Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
Luke 3:22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, RThou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
Luke 3:23 And Jesus himself began to be about Rthirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,
Luke 3:24 Which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph,
Luke 3:25 Which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, which was the son of Naum, which was the son of Esli, which was the son of Nagge,
Luke 3:26 Which was the son of Maath, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Semei, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Juda,
Luke 3:27 Which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri,
Luke 3:28 Which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of Elmodam, which was the son of Er,
Luke 3:29 Which was the son of Jose, which was the son of Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi,
Luke 3:30 Which was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of Eliakim,
Luke 3:31 Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son Rof Nathan, which was the son of David,
Luke 3:32 Which Rwas the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson,
Luke 3:33 Which was the son of RAminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda,
Luke 3:34 Which was the son of Jacob, Rwhich was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor,
Luke 3:35 Which was the son of RSaruch, which was the son of Ragau, which was the son of Phalec, which was the son of Heber, which was the son of Sala,
Luke 3:36 Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of RSem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech,
Luke 3:37 Which was the son of RMathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan,
Luke 3:38 Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, Rwhich was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Luke 3:1–20 — John calls for repentance expressed in daily conduct
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
John preaches a baptism of repentance and warns against relying on descent from Abraham. He answers people, publicans, and soldiers with practical demands for generosity and honesty, announces the coming one, and confronts Herod.
Key Truth: Let repentance become truthful and generous conduct.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Now in the ____ year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being …” (Luke 3:1)
Find it in Luke 3:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “He ____ and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let …” (Luke 3:11)
Find it in Luke 3:11 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “____ yet this above all, that he shut up John in …” (Luke 3:20)
Find it in Luke 3:20 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Luke 3:21–22 — Jesus is baptized and affirmed as the beloved Son
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
When Jesus is baptized and prays, heaven opens, the Holy Ghost descends, and the heavenly voice identifies him as the beloved Son in whom the Father is pleased.
Key Truth: Receive the Father’s testimony concerning Jesus.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Now when all the ____ were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being …” (Luke 3:21)
Find it in Luke 3:21 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved ____ ; in thee I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22)
Find it in Luke 3:22 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And the ____ Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon …” (Luke 3:22)
Find it in Luke 3:22 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Luke 3:23–38 — The genealogy traces Jesus through Adam to God
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Luke gives Jesus’ age at the beginning of his ministry and presents his genealogy through Joseph, described with the qualifying words as was supposed. The lineage extends backward through David and Abraham to Adam and God.
Key Truth: Read the genealogy as part of Luke’s account of Jesus’ identity.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Which was the ____ of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was …” (Luke 3:38)
Find it in Luke 3:38 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “Which was the son of ____ , which was the son of Menan, which was the …” (Luke 3:31)
Find it in Luke 3:31 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “Which was the son of ____ , which was the son of Seth, which was the …” (Luke 3:38)
Find it in Luke 3:38 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Isaiah 40:3 — Luke identifies John’s ministry with the voice preparing the Lord’s way.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What concrete change would show repentance in your work, speech, or treatment of others?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes Luke 3:1–20 (John calls for repentance expressed in daily conduct) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes Luke 3:21–22 (Jesus is baptized and affirmed as the beloved Son) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes Luke 3:23–38 (The genealogy traces Jesus through Adam to God) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. Why is descent from Abraham insufficient as a response to John's warning?
5. How is Jesus identified at his baptism?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
Loading your notes…
Chapter Navigation