Luke – Chapter 3

New Testament38 Verses

Chapter Summary

Luke 3 opens with the words: "Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and…" The chapter centers on Joseph, John and Abraham. Across its 38 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and sin and divine judgment. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip his brother tetrarch of Iturea and the country of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilina:

2Under the high priests Anna and Caiphas: the word of the Lord was made unto John, the son of Zachary, in the desert.

3And he came into all the country about the Jordan, preaching the baptism of penance for the remission of sins.

4As it was written in the book of the sayings of Isaias the prophet: A voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.

5Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be brought low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways plain.

6And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

7He said therefore to the multitudes that went forth to be baptized by him: Ye offspring of vipers, who hath shewed you to flee from the wrath to come?

8Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of penance: and do not begin to say, We have Abraham for our father. For I say unto you that God is able of these stones, to raise up children to Abraham.

9For now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit shall be cut down and cast into the fire.

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

11And he answering, said to them: He that hath two coats, let him give to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do in like manner.

12And the publicans also came to be baptized and said to him: Master, what shall we do?

13But he said to them: Do nothing more than that which is appointed you.

14And the soldiers also asked him, saying: And what shall we do? And he said to them: Do violence to no man, neither calumniate any man; and be content with your pay.

15And as the people were of opinion, and all were thinking in their hearts of John, that perhaps he might be the Christ:

16John answered, saying unto all: I indeed baptize you with water: but there shall come one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to loose. He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire;

17Whose fan is in his hand: and he will purge his floor and will gather the wheat into his barn: but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.

18And many other things exhorting did he preach to the people.

19But Herod the tetrarch, when he was reproved by him for Herodias, his brother's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done:

20He added this also above all and shut up John in prison.

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

22And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape, as a dove, upon him. And a voice came from heaven: Thou art my beloved Son. In thee I am well pleased.

23And Jesus himself was beginning about the age of thirty years: being (as it was supposed) the son of Joseph, who was of Heli, who was of Mathat,

24Who was of Levi, who was of Melchi. who was of Janne, who was of Joseph,

25Who was of Mathathias, who was of Amos, who was of Nahum, who was of Hesli, who was of Nagge,

26Who was of Mahath, who was of Mathathias, who was of Semei, who was of Joseph, who was of Juda,

27Who was of Joanna, who was of Reza, who was of Zorobabel, who was of Salathiel, who was of Neri,

28Who was of Melchi, who was of Addi, who was of Cosan, who was of Helmadan, who was of Her,

29Who was of Jesus, who was of Eliezer, who was of Jorim, who was of Mathat, who was of Levi,

30Who was of Simeon, who was of Judas, who was of Joseph, who was of Jona, who was of Eliakim,

31Who was of Melea, who was of Menna, who was of Mathatha, who was of Nathan, who was of David,

32Who was of Jesse, who was of Obed, who was of Booz, who was of Salmon, who was of Naasson,

33Who was of Aminadab, who was of Aram, who was of Esron, who was of Phares, who was of Judas,

34Who was of Jacob, who was of Isaac, who was of Abraham, who was of Thare, who was of Nachor,

35Who was of Sarug, who was of Ragau, who was of Phaleg, who was of Heber, who was of Sale,

36Who was of Cainan, who was of Arphaxad, who was of Sem, who was Of Noe, who was of Lamech,

37Who was of Mathusale, who was of Henoch, who was of Jared, who was of Malaleel, who was of Cainan,

38Who was of Henos, who was of Seth, who was of Adam, who was of God.

Important Verses in Luke 3

And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Luke 3:6

John answered, saying unto all: I indeed baptize you with water: but there shall come one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to loose. He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire;

Luke 3:16

And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape, as a dove, upon him. And a voice came from heaven: Thou art my beloved Son. In thee I am well pleased.

Luke 3:22

Who was of Henos, who was of Seth, who was of Adam, who was of God.

Luke 3:38

Historical Context

Luke addresses gentile Christians, assured that salvation in Christ is for all peoples within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 3 of 24 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 38 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Joseph, John, Abraham and Herod, the principal figures named in this chapter. The chapter begins: "Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being…" The final verse reads: "Who was of Henos, who was of Seth, who was of Adam, who was of God. " Read against its original backdrop, Luke, the only Gentile author in Scripture, wrote an ordered account 'for Theophilus' emphasizing God's mercy for the poor, sinners, women, and outsiders. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Luke around About AD 80-90.

Who Wrote It

Luke, the beloved physician, companion of St. Paul

When It Was Written

About AD 80-90

Catholic Commentary

In this 38-verse narrative, the sacred author records events that advance the story of Jesus as Savior of all peoples, especially the poor. A pivotal line is verse 6: "And all flesh shall see the salvation of God." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 618). Here, Luke emphasizes God's mercy and the role of the Holy Spirit (CIC 714). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize family and covenant relationships as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Luke 3 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • God invites His people to approach Him confidently in prayer, trusting that He hears and answers.

People in This Chapter

Joseph4 mentionsJohn4 mentionsAbraham3 mentionsHerod3 mentionsJudas2 mentionsZerubbabel1 mention

Reflection for Today

Luke Chapter 3 belongs to the New Testament and forms part of the Catholic canon proclaimed in the liturgy of the Word.

Through typology, the Church often reads Old Testament passages as preparing for Christ, while New Testament passages reveal Him explicitly. Luke emphasizes God's mercy and the role of the Holy Spirit (CIC 714). Here the believer is invited to ponder gratitude as the foundation of prayer.

May your reading of Luke Chapter 3 become true lectio divina: read the words, meditate on their meaning, respond in prayer, and rest in God's presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to show how The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost applies to your life today.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Luke Chapter 3 about?

Luke 3 contains 38 verses. It opens with "Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being…" and closes with "Who was of Henos, who was of Seth, who was of Adam, who was of God. ". The book as a whole is gospel.

What is a key verse in Luke 3?

One of the most significant verses is verse 6: "And all flesh shall see the salvation of God." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Luke Chapter 3?

This chapter mentions Joseph, John, Abraham, Herod, Judas, among others.

Who wrote Luke and when?

Luke, the beloved physician, companion of St. Paul. About AD 80-90.

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