Luke 3

The Lord whose way is prepared

As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Luke 3:4–5

In Isaiah the voice prepares the way of the LORD, Jehovah. John prepares the way for Jesus — so the Lord of Isaiah's prophecy is Jesus Christ Himself.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Isaiah 40:3-4 — Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
• a parallel account in Matthew 3:3 — Matthew applies the same prophecy to John.
• fulfils 1 Nephi 10:7-8 — Lehi foretold a prophet who would prepare the way of the Lord.

The Salvation of God

And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Luke 3:6

Luke extends the quotation so it ends with the promise that all people will see God's salvation — Jesus, whom Simeon already called 'thy salvation.'

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Isaiah 40:5 — All flesh shall see it together.
• the same title in Luke 2:30 — Mine eyes have seen thy salvation.

The Christ, the Mightier One

Christ — the Anointed One

And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; Luke 3:15–16

People wonder if John is the Christ. He says no — the Christ is coming, so great that John is not worthy to untie His sandals, and He will give the Holy Ghost.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Matthew 3:11 — Same testimony of the Mightier One.
• a parallel account in John 1:26-27 — Whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

Christ the Judge

Whose fan 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 3:17

John pictures Christ as a farmer separating wheat from chaff. He will gather the righteous and judge the wicked.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Matthew 3:12 — Same image of the fan and the floor.
• alludes to Malachi 3:2-3 — He is like a refiner's fire; who may abide the day of his coming.

Baptism of Jesus

Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, Luke 3:21

Though sinless, Jesus is baptized with the people. Nephi explains He did it to show obedience to the Father and to mark the path we must follow.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interpreted by 2 Nephi 31:5-9 — If the Lamb of God, being holy, should have need to be baptized, how much more need have we.
• a parallel account in Matthew 3:13-16 — Matthew's account of the baptism.

Beloved Son

Beloved Son — the Father's own Son in whom He delights

And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. Luke 3:22

All three members of the Godhead are present: the Son is baptized, the Holy Ghost descends as the sign of a dove, and the Father speaks from heaven to declare Jesus His beloved Son.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Matthew 3:16-17 — This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
• a parallel account in Mark 1:10-11 — Thou art my beloved Son.
• the same event in 2 Nephi 31:8 — Nephi foresaw the Holy Ghost descend upon Him in the form of a dove.
• alludes to Psalms 2:7 — Thou art my Son.
• alludes to Isaiah 42:1 — Mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him.
• the same title in 3 Nephi 11:7 — Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
• the same title in JS-H 1:17 — This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!

Son of God (supposed son of Joseph)

And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, Luke 3:23

Luke carefully says Jesus was only 'supposed' to be Joseph's son. Right after the Father has called Him 'my beloved Son,' Luke reminds us who His real Father is.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Matthew 1:1-16 — Matthew's genealogy of Jesus.

Son of David, Stem of Jesse

Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David, Luke 3:31–32

The genealogy shows Jesus descends from Jesse and David. He is the promised Branch from Jesse's roots and the heir to David's throne.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• fulfils Isaiah 11:1 — A rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch out of his roots.
• fulfils 2 Samuel 7:12-13 — David's seed would sit on an everlasting throne.

Seed of Abraham, of Judah

Which was the son of Aminadab, 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 3:33–34

Jesus is of the tribe of Judah and the seed of Abraham. God promised that through Abraham's seed all nations would be blessed, and that the sceptre would not depart from Judah until Shiloh came.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• fulfils Genesis 22:18 — In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.
• interpreted by Galatians 3:16 — To thy seed, which is Christ.
• fulfils Genesis 49:10 — The sceptre shall not depart from Judah until Shiloh come.

Son of God (Adam line)

Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God. Luke 3:38

Luke traces Jesus all the way back to Adam and to God, showing He belongs to all humanity. The next chapter opens with Satan challenging, 'If thou be the Son of God' — Jesus succeeds where the first Adam fell.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in Moses 6:22 — Adam, who was the son of God.
• alludes to Romans 5:14 — Adam, who is the figure of him that was to come.