What does Luke 3:10 mean?

And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? Luke 3:10

Explanation

The verse Luke 3:10 in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible reads, “And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?” This verse captures the moment when the crowds are responding to John the Baptist’s call for repentance. John had been preaching in the wilderness, proclaiming the need for the people to prepare for the coming of the Lord by being baptized and displaying a change of heart and behavior. The people’s question reflects a desire to understand the practical implications of John’s teachings. They are asking for specific guidance on what actions they should take to align their lives with the repentance he is urging.

Historical Context

This verse is set within the historical context of the early first century in the region of Palestine, under Roman occupation. John the Baptist was a prophetic figure who emerged before the public ministry of Jesus Christ. His message was one of repentance and readiness for the coming kingdom of God. John’s preaching attracted large crowds, and his call for a moral transformation was a challenge to the existing status quo. His audience would have been a mix of Jews from various walks of life who were familiar with the concepts of sin, righteousness, and the anticipation of a messianic figure.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse emphasizes the concept of repentance as not just an inner change of heart but as requiring outward acts that demonstrate the genuineness of a person’s transformation. Different theological perspectives may offer varying interpretations:

• Traditional Christian theology sees this as a call to ethical living in accordance with one’s faith.
• Reformed theology may highlight God’s sovereignty in eliciting the response from the people and enabling their repentance.
• Liberation theology could interpret the call to action as a fight against injustice and oppression in society.

Practical Applications

The practical applications of Luke 3:10 are numerous:

• It calls for self-examination and subsequent action based on one’s convictions and moral beliefs.
• The verse encourages believers to ask themselves what concrete steps they can take to live out their faith in their daily lives.
• It can inspire social activism and charity, as it prompts individuals to seek ways to tangibly help others and address societal wrongs.

Cross-References

• Matthew 3:8: “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:”
• Acts 2:37-38: “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
• James 2:17-18: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”

Language Study

In this verse, the Greek verb for “do” is “ποιήσωμεν” (poiēsōmen), which is in the aorist subjunctive, indicating an action that is singular, specific, and imperative. The term implies a decisive action or change in behavior. In the context of repentance, it conveys that the actions taken must reflect a true transformation rather than being simply perfunctory or ritualistic.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The notion of repentance and seeking guidance for right action exists in various cultural and religious contexts:

• In Judaism, the concept of “teshuvah” mirrors repentance and involves both a return to God and a turn away from sin.
• In Islam, “tawbah” is the Islamic term for repentance, which also requires a commitment to change one’s ways and avoid repeating the sin.
• Ancient Greek philosophy often emphasized virtue ethics, where individuals were encouraged to live according to certain moral virtues or excellences.

Scientific Perspectives

While the verse itself does not directly intersect with scientific understandings, modern social science recognizes the importance of behavioral change in ethical development. Psychology studies how beliefs and values influence actions and the processes by which individuals seek to align their behaviors with their moral ideals.

Commentaries

Commentaries on this verse typically emphasize the active response to John the Baptist’s call for repentance. For example:

• Matthew Henry’s Commentary explains that the people were convinced by John’s preaching and sincerely desired to know what their duty was.
• The Pulpit Commentary notes the eagerness of the multitude to do something to show the realness of their repentance.
• John Calvin’s Commentaries suggest that John demands works that are worthy indicators of repentance and a changed life.