10 And the multitudes asked him, “What then shall we do?” 11 And he answered them, “He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.”
Tax collectors: “What Shall We Do?”
12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than is appointed you.”
Soldiers: “What Shall We Do?”
14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Rob no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.
John’s Testimony
15 As the people were in expectation, and all men questioned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he were the Christ, 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into his granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
He preached good news
18 So, with many other exhortations, he preached good news to the people.
EXPLANATION
10 And the multitudes asked him, “What then shall we do?” 11 And he answered them, “He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.”
“And the multitudes asked him” — It is the ordinary people, not the religious leaders (Lk. 7: 30), who are willing to repent and to do whatever might be necessary in practical ways. Added to “the multitudes” in the following verses are tax collectors and soldiers who also wish to change their life–styles.
“What then shall we do?” — This question occurs twice more in this passage and also in Luke 10: 25 and 18: 18. This makes it an important question.
Those who are sincere in repentance will want to know what else they must do after repentance and the purification that was symbolised by John’s baptism.
“And he answered them, “He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” — A theme in Luke’s Gospel, where social justice is stressed, is sharing one’s possessions with those who are without means. Here he points out that some people can have too much clothing and food. He is radical in his examples of how much to give. Zacchaeus understood this and was generous in his promise to share (Lk. 19: 8).
12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than is appointed you.”
“Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, ‘Teacher, what shall we do?’ And he said to them, ‘Collect no more than is appointed you’” — Tax collectors paid the Romans for the right to collect the toll taxes for the empire. They were despised by both Jews and Gentiles, those who were not Jews. They were regarded as extortionists taking more money than they should.
14 Soldiers also asked him,“And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Rob no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”
“Soldiers also asked him ‘and we, what shall we do?’ And he said to them, ‘Rob no one by violence’” — These soldiers were more like security guards for the tax collectors. They used violence on those who had to pay taxes so that they might collect for themselves more than these had to pay.
“‘or by false accusations’” — The soldiers would falsely accuse people of selling or exporting products and this would not be true.
“‘and be content with your wages’” — The soldiers would charge more than they had to hand up and keep that extra for themselves. John tells them to be satisfied with the wages agreed upon.
15 As the people were in expectation, and all men questioned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he were the Christ
“As the people were in expectation” — There was a great expectation that the Messiah was coming. Because of the Roman invasion, these expectations were for a political leader who would free Israel from the Romans and bring about an era of great worldly prosperity.
“and all men questioned in their hearts concerning John” — Luke mentions “all men” to indicate the universal expectation of the Messiah’s imminent coming. He also mentions that this desire was “in their hearts”, that is it was very important for them.
“whether perhaps he were the Christ” — “The Christ” is the Greek word for Messiah, the Anointed One.
16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
“John answered them all” — As in the previous verse where Luke mentions that “all men” were expecting the Messiah, here he uses the same universal expression to indicate that John is telling everyone that (i) Jesus is greater than he is and that (ii) Jesus’ baptism is greater.
“‘but he who is mightier than I is coming’” — This is the first point: the Christ is more powerful than John.
“the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie” — Only servants were allowed perform this task. A rabbi’s disciples were forbidden to untie his master’s sandals as being too menial a task. John looked on untying Jesus’ sandal straps as too great an honour for him. He saw himself as unworthy of this privilege. He was truly humble.
“I baptize you with water; … he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” — The Holy Spirit is a major theme in Luke’s Gospel (Lk. 1: 15, 35, 41, 67; 2: 25–27; 3: 16, 22; 4: 1, 14, 18; 10: 21; 11: 13; 12: 10, 12). Luke portrays the Holy Spirit as God’s special gift. He filled Jesus who exercised his personal ministry in the power of the Spirit. A major fruit of the Holy Spirit is joy, mentioned twenty–seven times in Luke’s Gospel. Jesus promised that his followers would be happy and blessed (Lk. 1: 45; 6: 20–22; 7: 23; 10: 23; 11: 27–28; 12: 37; 14: 14–16; 23: 29). This joy is not something outside the person but within because of his or her union with Christ.
“and with fire” — The Catechism of the Catholic Church (art. 696) explains: “While water signifies birth and the fruitfulness of life given in the Holy Spirit, fire symbolizes the transforming energy of the Holy Spirit’s actions. [Examples] The prayer of the prophet Elijah, ‘who arose like fire’ and whose ‘word burned like a torch,’ brought down fire from heaven on the sacrifice on Mount Carmel. This event was a ‘figure’ of the fire of the Holy Spirit, who transforms what he touches. John the Baptist, who goes ‘before [the Lord] in the spirit and power of Elijah,’ proclaims Christ as the one who ‘will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire’. Jesus will say of the Spirit: ‘I came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it were already kindled!’ In the form of tongues ‘as of fire,’ the Holy Spirit rests on the disciples on the morning of Pentecost and fills them with himself. [End of examples] The spiritual tradition has retained this symbolism of fire as one of the most expressive images of the Holy Spirit’s actions. ‘Do not quench the Spirit.’”
17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into his granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
“His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor” — The Messiah is described as like a farmer who uses a large wooden shovel to throw the husks of wheat into the air where the breeze or wind allows the heavier grain fall to the ground and the chaff be blown away into heaps.
The present tense is used in the first part of this verse to show that the Messiah is now judging the fruits of repentance of people.
and to gather the wheat into his granary” — The farmer gathered the grain into his granary. This is an image of the Messiah gathering his elect into heaven.
“but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire” — The chaff will be burned and the fire will be unquenchable. This is an image of the punishment of those who do not change their ways and so are unworthy of the kingdom of God.
18 So, with many other exhortations, he preached good news to the people.
So, with many other exhortations, he preached good news to the people” — This is known as “a summary statement”. It allows Luke to indicate that there is a passage of time before the next section of his Gospel.
APPLICATION
1. The Gospel passage tells us that the people were very strong in their expectation of the coming of the Messiah, God’s Anointed, the Christ. They even thought that John the Baptist might be the Messiah. John was embarrassed by this because his task was to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah. He explained three things about Christ.
(i) The Messiah is “mightier”, more powerful, than John. Indeed John felt that he could do nothing, no matter how menial, for the Messiah because he felt himself to be so unworthy to perform even the least privilege or honour. A practical question: Is my attitude one of humble service or ‘bossy’ (telling Jesus what to do)?
(ii) John declared that his baptism was a mere symbol whereas the Messiah’s baptism would be with the “Holy Spirit and fire”. The Holy Spirit is divine and as fire transforms, so the Holy Spirit transforms those who are overwhelmed (‘baptised’) by his presence which is conferred by the Messiah. A practical question: Do I allow the Holy Spirit transform my life?
(iii) The Messiah will judge all the people of the world, rewarding or punishing as is their due. A practical question: Do I reflect on my eternal destiny?
2. John the Baptist was so outstanding in his person and in his preaching, he drew crowds to follow him. His mission was to prepare them and direct them away from himself and towards Christ. That continues to be the mission of a Christian.
3. As part of this mission he taught people to think of others. In the Gospel passage three groups approach the Baptist and ask “What must we do?” This is the type of question anyone who is trying to please God and do his will, would ask. They were determined to repent and change their way of thinking and living to God’s way. They queried what that would mean in practice. John told them to think of other people, those in need or those to whom they had been unjust. What he was saying was that the Messiah came for people; they too should have that mentality to help people.
The second last verse in the passage tells us about the Last Judgement which we will undergo. It is not outlandish to think that what we do to prepare for Christmas, Christ’s first coming, is indicative of how we are preparing for Christ’s second coming at the Last Judgement. Are we ‘converted’, that is turned towards Christ now by transformed attitudes and perspectives from the world around us, a radical life–change? How we receive Christ the Messiah here and now is how we will receive him at the Second Coming. As he preached preparation for the coming of Christ, John the Baptist emphasised the necessity of having God’s values and way of thinking and living rather than the world’s. To forget or ignore the spiritual is to forget or ignore the Messiah.
Pope Benedict XVI said, “We with our faith, our hope and our charity, are called every day to see and bear witness to the presence of Christ, in a world often superficial and distracted, to make shine in our lives the light that illuminated the cave of Bethlehem”. Should the question uppermost in our minds during these next less than two weeks before Christmas not be “What must we do?” Let us keep Christ present in our Christmas and celebrate with him.
Commentary on the 3rd Sunday of Advent (C) 13th December 2015
TEXT – Luke 3: 10–18 – “What shall we do?”
The multitudes: “What Shall We Do?”
10 And the multitudes asked him, “What then shall we do?” 11 And he answered them, “He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.”
Tax collectors: “What Shall We Do?”
12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than is appointed you.”
Soldiers: “What Shall We Do?”
14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Rob no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.
John’s Testimony
15 As the people were in expectation, and all men questioned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he were the Christ, 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into his granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
He preached good news
18 So, with many other exhortations, he preached good news to the people.
EXPLANATION
10 And the multitudes asked him, “What then shall we do?” 11 And he answered them, “He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.”
“And the multitudes asked him” — It is the ordinary people, not the religious leaders (Lk. 7: 30), who are willing to repent and to do whatever might be necessary in practical ways. Added to “the multitudes” in the following verses are tax collectors and soldiers who also wish to change their life–styles.
“What then shall we do?” — This question occurs twice more in this passage and also in Luke 10: 25 and 18: 18. This makes it an important question.
Those who are sincere in repentance will want to know what else they must do after repentance and the purification that was symbolised by John’s baptism.
“And he answered them, “He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” — A theme in Luke’s Gospel, where social justice is stressed, is sharing one’s possessions with those who are without means. Here he points out that some people can have too much clothing and food. He is radical in his examples of how much to give. Zacchaeus understood this and was generous in his promise to share (Lk. 19: 8).
12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than is appointed you.”
“Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, ‘Teacher, what shall we do?’ And he said to them, ‘Collect no more than is appointed you’” — Tax collectors paid the Romans for the right to collect the toll taxes for the empire. They were despised by both Jews and Gentiles, those who were not Jews. They were regarded as extortionists taking more money than they should.
14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Rob no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”
“Soldiers also asked him ‘and we, what shall we do?’ And he said to them, ‘Rob no one by violence’” — These soldiers were more like security guards for the tax collectors. They used violence on those who had to pay taxes so that they might collect for themselves more than these had to pay.
“‘or by false accusations’” — The soldiers would falsely accuse people of selling or exporting products and this would not be true.
“‘and be content with your wages’” — The soldiers would charge more than they had to hand up and keep that extra for themselves. John tells them to be satisfied with the wages agreed upon.
15 As the people were in expectation, and all men questioned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he were the Christ
“As the people were in expectation” — There was a great expectation that the Messiah was coming. Because of the Roman invasion, these expectations were for a political leader who would free Israel from the Romans and bring about an era of great worldly prosperity.
“and all men questioned in their hearts concerning John” — Luke mentions “all men” to indicate the universal expectation of the Messiah’s imminent coming. He also mentions that this desire was “in their hearts”, that is it was very important for them.
“whether perhaps he were the Christ” — “The Christ” is the Greek word for Messiah, the Anointed One.
16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
“John answered them all” — As in the previous verse where Luke mentions that “all men” were expecting the Messiah, here he uses the same universal expression to indicate that John is telling everyone that (i) Jesus is greater than he is and that (ii) Jesus’ baptism is greater.
“‘but he who is mightier than I is coming’” — This is the first point: the Christ is more powerful than John.
“the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie” — Only servants were allowed perform this task. A rabbi’s disciples were forbidden to untie his master’s sandals as being too menial a task. John looked on untying Jesus’ sandal straps as too great an honour for him. He saw himself as unworthy of this privilege. He was truly humble.
“I baptize you with water; … he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” — The Holy Spirit is a major theme in Luke’s Gospel (Lk. 1: 15, 35, 41, 67; 2: 25–27; 3: 16, 22; 4: 1, 14, 18; 10: 21; 11: 13; 12: 10, 12). Luke portrays the Holy Spirit as God’s special gift. He filled Jesus who exercised his personal ministry in the power of the Spirit. A major fruit of the Holy Spirit is joy, mentioned twenty–seven times in Luke’s Gospel. Jesus promised that his followers would be happy and blessed (Lk. 1: 45; 6: 20–22; 7: 23; 10: 23; 11: 27–28; 12: 37; 14: 14–16; 23: 29). This joy is not something outside the person but within because of his or her union with Christ.
“and with fire” — The Catechism of the Catholic Church (art. 696) explains: “While water signifies birth and the fruitfulness of life given in the Holy Spirit, fire symbolizes the transforming energy of the Holy Spirit’s actions. [Examples] The prayer of the prophet Elijah, ‘who arose like fire’ and whose ‘word burned like a torch,’ brought down fire from heaven on the sacrifice on Mount Carmel. This event was a ‘figure’ of the fire of the Holy Spirit, who transforms what he touches. John the Baptist, who goes ‘before [the Lord] in the spirit and power of Elijah,’ proclaims Christ as the one who ‘will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire’. Jesus will say of the Spirit: ‘I came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it were already kindled!’ In the form of tongues ‘as of fire,’ the Holy Spirit rests on the disciples on the morning of Pentecost and fills them with himself. [End of examples] The spiritual tradition has retained this symbolism of fire as one of the most expressive images of the Holy Spirit’s actions. ‘Do not quench the Spirit.’”
17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into his granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
“His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor” — The Messiah is described as like a farmer who uses a large wooden shovel to throw the husks of wheat into the air where the breeze or wind allows the heavier grain fall to the ground and the chaff be blown away into heaps.
The present tense is used in the first part of this verse to show that the Messiah is now judging the fruits of repentance of people.
and to gather the wheat into his granary” — The farmer gathered the grain into his granary. This is an image of the Messiah gathering his elect into heaven.
“but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire” — The chaff will be burned and the fire will be unquenchable. This is an image of the punishment of those who do not change their ways and so are unworthy of the kingdom of God.
18 So, with many other exhortations, he preached good news to the people.
So, with many other exhortations, he preached good news to the people” — This is known as “a summary statement”. It allows Luke to indicate that there is a passage of time before the next section of his Gospel.
APPLICATION
1. The Gospel passage tells us that the people were very strong in their expectation of the coming of the Messiah, God’s Anointed, the Christ. They even thought that John the Baptist might be the Messiah. John was embarrassed by this because his task was to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah. He explained three things about Christ.
(i) The Messiah is “mightier”, more powerful, than John. Indeed John felt that he could do nothing, no matter how menial, for the Messiah because he felt himself to be so unworthy to perform even the least privilege or honour. A practical question: Is my attitude one of humble service or ‘bossy’ (telling Jesus what to do)?
(ii) John declared that his baptism was a mere symbol whereas the Messiah’s baptism would be with the “Holy Spirit and fire”. The Holy Spirit is divine and as fire transforms, so the Holy Spirit transforms those who are overwhelmed (‘baptised’) by his presence which is conferred by the Messiah. A practical question: Do I allow the Holy Spirit transform my life?
(iii) The Messiah will judge all the people of the world, rewarding or punishing as is their due. A practical question: Do I reflect on my eternal destiny?
2. John the Baptist was so outstanding in his person and in his preaching, he drew crowds to follow him. His mission was to prepare them and direct them away from himself and towards Christ. That continues to be the mission of a Christian.
3. As part of this mission he taught people to think of others. In the Gospel passage three groups approach the Baptist and ask “What must we do?” This is the type of question anyone who is trying to please God and do his will, would ask. They were determined to repent and change their way of thinking and living to God’s way. They queried what that would mean in practice. John told them to think of other people, those in need or those to whom they had been unjust. What he was saying was that the Messiah came for people; they too should have that mentality to help people.
The second last verse in the passage tells us about the Last Judgement which we will undergo. It is not outlandish to think that what we do to prepare for Christmas, Christ’s first coming, is indicative of how we are preparing for Christ’s second coming at the Last Judgement. Are we ‘converted’, that is turned towards Christ now by transformed attitudes and perspectives from the world around us, a radical life–change? How we receive Christ the Messiah here and now is how we will receive him at the Second Coming. As he preached preparation for the coming of Christ, John the Baptist emphasised the necessity of having God’s values and way of thinking and living rather than the world’s. To forget or ignore the spiritual is to forget or ignore the Messiah.
Pope Benedict XVI said, “We with our faith, our hope and our charity, are called every day to see and bear witness to the presence of Christ, in a world often superficial and distracted, to make shine in our lives the light that illuminated the cave of Bethlehem”. Should the question uppermost in our minds during these next less than two weeks before Christmas not be “What must we do?” Let us keep Christ present in our Christmas and celebrate with him.