Quotes & Notes on:     Luke 3:21   John Wesley,  Notes On the New Testament (1755): It is observable, that the three voices from heaven, see Lu 9:29,35; Joh 12:28; by which the Father bore witness to Christ, were pronounced either while he was praying, or quickly after it. Mt 3:13; Mr 1:9. Reginald Fuller's Preaching the Lectionary (1984):  Luke has suppressed the statement that it was John who baptized Jesus, and he has put the mention of Jesus' baptism into a subordinate clause (a genitive absolute in Greek, a temporal clause in the RSV:  "when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying"). ... Luke omits the statement that Jesus saw "the heavens opened."   William Baird, Interpreter's Commentary, 1971: Among those who come for baptism is Jesus. ...the actual baptizing of Jesus is not described, but is only a part of a dependent clause which points to the important event:  the Holy Spirit descended upon him.  Luke tells us that the coming of the Spirit is preceded by a period of private prayer.  Luke, more than any other of the gospel writers, depicts the prayer life of Jesus.  The connection between praying and the coming of the Spirit is found also in Acts 8:15.   J. McNicol, The New Bible Commentary, 1954:  In being baptized, Jesus dedicated Himself to God as the representative Man in order to receive the power of the Holy Spirit for carrying out His messianic task.  Luke gives only a brief summary of the event, but he adds the important feature that Jesus was praying at the time.  It is implied that the descent of the Holy Spirit was the answer to His prayer.  The prayer life of Jesus stands out in this Gospel.  There are nine other instances of prayer in the Lord's life mentioned by Luke alone (v.16, vi.12, ix. 18,29, xi. 1, xxii. 32,44, xxiii. 34,46).   I.H. Marshall, The New Bible Commentary, 1970: Luke mentions the actual baptism almost parenthetically and lays all the stress on the accompanying revelation.   David Guzik, Study Guide for Luke:     1. (21a) Jesus is baptized along with the others. When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; a. Jesus also was baptized: Why did Jesus submit to baptism when He had no sin to be cleansed from? He did it to completely identify Himself with sinful man. This was the same heart that would lead to His ultimate identification with sinful man on the cross. 2. (21b-22) The Divine witness to Jesus’ standing as the Son of God. And while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased." a. And while He prayed: We notice Luke’s repeated emphasis on prayer. Other gospel writers describe this occasion, but only Luke points out that it happened while He prayed.   Chuck Smith, Study Guide for Luke: Now Luke's gospel shows to us more than any of the other gospels the human side of Jesus. John shows us more than any of the other gospels the divine side of Jesus. But Luke points out His humanity. And because Luke is careful to point out the humanity of Jesus, he is also very careful to point out the references where Jesus was praying. And in so many cases we find Luke making mention of the fact that Jesus was praying when certain things transpired. Or before certain decisions were made. And Luke gives us a keener insight into the prayer life of Jesus than any of the other gospels. And rightly so, because of his emphasis upon the human side of the nature of Jesus. And so it is only Luke's gospel that points out the fact that Jesus was praying when He was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit. That as He was baptized, He was praying, and the heavens were opened.   Catechism of the Catholic Church: After agreeing to baptize him along with the sinners, John the Baptist looked at Jesus and pointed him out as the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world".  By doing so, he reveals that Jesus is at the same time the suffering Servant who silently allows himself to be led to the slaughter and who bears the sin of the multitudes, and also the Paschal Lamb, the symbol of Israel's redemption at the first Passover.  Christ's whole life expresses his mission: "to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (608) The Gospel according to St. Luke emphasizes the action of the Holy Spirit and the meaning of prayer in Christ's ministry. Jesus prays before the decisive moments of his mission: before his Father's witness to him during his baptism and Transfiguration, and before his own fulfillment of the Father's plan of love by his Passion.  He also prays before the decisive moments involving the mission of his apostles: at his election and call of the Twelve, before Peter's confession of him as "the Christ of God," and again that the faith of the chief of the Apostles may not fail when tempted.  Jesus' prayer before the events of salvation that the Father has asked him to fulfill is a humble and trusting commitment of his human will to the loving will of the Father. (2600)   J. Norval Geldenhuys, Bible Expositor, 1960: Because the baptism of Jesus meant to Him the final assumption of His work as Saviour -- a work which was to be perfected through suffering and death -- it was an event of supreme importance to Him.  For that reason we find Him engaged in prayer just after His baptism, in the same way as He was so often found later in His public ministry, either before or after some important occasion. While He was in prayerful communion with God after His baptism, "the heaven was open."  Here is one of those many instances in Holy Scripture where we are faced with a divine act which is unfathomable and incomprehensible to our human intellect.  But even if we cannot grasp just how "the heaven was opened,"  the fact remains that, after Jesus had offered Himself -- completely and voluntarily as man's substitute and Saviour, God vouchsafed to His human consciousness a perfect revelation, not only of the majesty and glory of His Father, but also of the truth that He was indeed His Son.    Abingdon Bible Commentary (1929): Luke says it was when Jesus was praying that heaven was opened;  he brings out the fact that Jesus prayed at all the crises of his life.  The three parables on prayer are all peculiar to Luke (11:5f, 18:1f, 18:9f), and so are the two prayers on the cross (23:34, 46).   D.D. Whedon, Commentary on Luke, 1866: [Note that] all the people were being baptized before the Lord's baptism; he was praying at the time of the descent of the Spirit.   Joseph Parker, People's Bible, 1901: To be posted.   The Fourfold Gospel:  Now it came to pass, when all the people were baptized, that, Jesus also having been baptized. This may mean that, on the day of his baptism, Jesus was the last candidate, and hence his baptism was the most conspicuous of all; but it more probably means that Jesus was baptized in the midst of John's work--at the period when his baptism was in greatest favor. And praying. All divine ordinances should be accompanied with prayer. Luke frequently notes the times when Jesus prayed. Here, at the entrance of his ministry, he prayed, and at the last moment of it he also prayed (Lu 23:46). In his highest exultation at the transfiguration (Lu 9:29), and in the lowest depths of humiliation in Gethsemane (Lu 22:41), he prayed. He prayed for his apostles whom he chose (Lu 6:12), and for his murderers by whom he was rejected (Lu 23:34). He prayed before Peter confessed him (Lu 9:18), and also before Peter denied him (Lu 22:32). Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: * that. Mt 3:13-15; Mr 1:9; Joh 1:32-34 * and praying. Lu 9:28,29; Joh 12:27,28 * the heaven. Mt 3:16,17; Mr 1:10; Joh 1:32-34   Robertson's Word Pictures: When all the people were baptised (en tôi baptisthênai hapanta ton laon). The use of the articular aorist infinitive here with en bothers some grammarians and commentators. There is no element of time in the aorist infinitive. It is simply punctiliar action, literally "in the being baptized as to all the people." Luke does not say that all the people were baptized before Jesus came or were baptized at the same time. It is merely a general statement that Jesus was baptized in connexion with or at the time of the baptizing of the people as a whole. Jesus also having been baptized (kai Iêsou baptisthentos). Genitive absolute construction, first aorist passive participle. In Luke's sentence the baptism of Jesus is merely introductory to the descent of the Holy Spirit and the voice of the Father. For the narrative of the baptism see Mr 1:9; Mt 3:13-16. And praying (kai proseuchomenou). Alone in Luke who so often mentions the praying of Jesus. Present participle and so naturally meaning that the heaven was opened while Jesus was praying though not necessarily in answer to his prayer. The heaven was opened (aneôichthênai ton ouranon). First aorist passive infinitive with double augment, whereas the infinitive is not supposed to have any augment. The regular form would be anoichthênai as in D (Codex Bezae). So the augment appears in the future indicative kateaxei (Mt 12:20) and the second aorist passive subjunctive kateagôsin (Joh 19:31). Such unusual forms appear in the Koiné. This infinitive here with the accusative of general reference is the subject of egeneto (it came to pass). Mt 3:16 uses the same verb, but Mr 1:10 has schizomenous, rent asunder.   William Burkitt's Notes: Observe, 1. The great condescension of Christ in seeking and submitting to the baptism of John. Christ, though John's Lord and Master, yet yields to be baptized of his servant and messenger. Observe, 2. The reasons why Christ would be baptized. 1. That by this rite he might enter himself into the society of Christians, as he had before by circumcision entered into the society of the Jews. 2. That he might by his own baptism sanctify the ordinance of baptism unto us. 3. That thereby he might fulfil the righteousness of the ceremonial law, which required the washing of the priests in water, before they entered upon their office, as appears, Ex 29:4 Observe, 3. How the duty of prayer accompanieth the ordinance of baptism: Jesus being baptized, and praying. Teaching us by his example to sanctify every ordinance and every action, with prayer. Christ, when he was baptized, he prayed. When he was tempted, he prayed. When he brake bread, he prayed. When he wrought miracles, he prayed. In his agony in the garden, he prayed. When he suffered on the cross, he prayed. What was the subject-matter of our Lord's prayer at this time is not expressed; but by what followed, namely, the heavens opening and the Holy Ghost descending, it is probably conjectured, that he prayed for some testimony to be given from heaven concerning himself, for it immediately follows.   Family Bible Notes: No comment on this verse.   1599 Geneva Bible Notes: Our baptism is sanctified in the head of the Church, and Christ also by the voice of the Father is pronounced to be our everlasting King, Priest, and Prophet.   People's New Testament Commentary: No comment on this verse.   Albert Barnes' Commentary:  Jesus being baptized; or, Jesus having been baptized. This took place after the baptism, and not during its administration, Mt 3:16. Praying. This circumstance is omitted by the other evangelists; and it shows, 1st. That Jesus was in the habit of prayer. 2nd. That it is proper to offer up special prayer at the administration of the ordinances of religion. 3rd. That it is possible to pray in the midst of a great multitude, yet in secret. The prayer consisted, doubtless, in lifting up the heart silently to God. So we may do it anywhere--about our daily toil--in the midst of multitudes, and thus may pray always.   Jamieson-Faussett Brown:  when all the people were baptized--that He might not seem to be merely one of the crowd. Thus, as He rode into Jerusalem upon an ass, "whereon yet never man sat" (Lu 19:30), and lay in a sepulchre "wherein was never man yet laid" (Joh 19:41), so in His baptism He would be "separate from sinners." Editor's Note... I must say here that I strongly disagree with this JFB view, as it seems to represent exactly the opposite of everything Jesus stood for in terms of His freely-chosen humanity and identification with sinners.    The baptism of Jesus at the hands of John, with the people in the Jordan, indicates His absolute forgiveness of sinners and acceptance of us in His eternal cause as full participants with Him in His kingdom.    - Br. Bill   Spurgeon Devotional Commentary:  No comment on this verse.   Adam Clarke's Commentary: No comment on this verse.   Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary: Christ did not confess sin, as others did, for he had none to confess; but he prayed, as others did, and kept up communion with his Father. Observe, all the three voices from heaven, by which the Father bare witness to the Son, were pronounced while he was praying, or soon after, Lu 9:35; Joh 12:28. The Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and there came a voice from heaven, from God the Father, from the excellent glory. Thus was a proof of the Holy Trinity, of the Three Persons in the Godhead, given at the baptism of Christ.

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Bob VanWyk, Lectionary Hymn Reviewer
 
 

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