Luke 3:21

Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, For the exposition, see the notes at Matthew 3:13....

21,22 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, Luke 9:35; John 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....

Verse Luke 3:21. _JESUS - BEING BAPTIZED_] See on Luke 3:16; Luke 3:17....

See the notes at Matthew 3:13. “Jesus being baptized;” or, Jesus “having been” baptized. This took place after the baptism, and not “during” its administration, Matthew 3:16. PRAYING - This circumstance is omitted by the other evangelists; and it shows, * That Jesus was in the habit of prayer. * That it is proper to offer up special prayer at the administration of the ordinances of religion. * 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.”...

EXPOSITION LUKE 3:1 THE BAPTISM OF JOHN. LUKE 3:1 NOW IN THE FIFTEENTH YEAR OF THE REIGN OF TIBERIUS CAESAR. St. Luke's Gospel is framed after the model of approved histories. He commenced with an elaborate rhetorical preface, most carefully worded, stating, in a few well-chosen sentences, the reasons which had induced him to undertake the work. He then (Luke 1:5) skillfully wove into the text of his narrative one or more original documents; these he translated, preserving, with great art, as closely as possible, the spirit, and oftentimes the very words, of his original authority. Now, in this

NOW WHEN ALL THE PEOPLE WERE BAPTIZED,.... That came from several parts to John for this purpose, even as many as he judged to be proper subjects of that ordinance, as many of the common people, publicans, soldiers, c. IT CAME TO PASS THAT JESUS ALSO BEING BAPTIZED of John in Jordan, he coming from Galilee thither on that account: AND PRAYING; after he was baptized, for the coming down of the Spirit upon him, as man, to anoint, and qualify him for his office he was now about to enter on publicly: and for success in it, and for a testimony from heaven, that he was the Son of God, and true Messiah: THE HEAVEN WAS OPENED; Matthew 3:16....

II. THE BEGINNINGS OF HIS MINISTRY -- CHAPTER 3-4:13 CHAPTER 3 _ 1. The Ministry of John the Baptist. (Luke 3:1 .)_ 2. His Testimony to Christ and his Imprisonment. (Luke 3:15 .) 3. The Baptism of the Lord Jesus. (Luke 3:21 .) 4. The Genealogy of Mary, the Mother of our Lord. (Luke 3:23 .) Luke 3:1 Eighteen more years of silence follow. It is broken by the voice of the forerunner, John, who preached at Jordan the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. He is not reported here preaching “the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” He

LUKE 3:21 F. THE BAPTISM OF JESUS (Mark 1:9 *, Matthew 3:13 *). Lk. notes that Jesus was praying (_cf. Luke 9:29_, Luke 11:1, etc.). In the early Church it was customary immediately after baptism to pray for the gift of the Spirit. Lk. explicitly gives a bodily form to the Spirit, and does not definitely limit the vision to Jesus. Many scholars uphold the reading of Codex Bezæ in Luke 3:22, Thou art my Son: I have begotten thee this day (_cf._...

THE COURIER OF THE KING (Luke 3:1-6)...

IT CAME TO PASS. As in Luke 3:1. The 1611 edition of the Authorized Version reads "and it came to pass". PRAYING. Note the occasions of the Lord's praying: here; Luke 6:16; Luke 6:12; Luke 9:18; Luke 9:28; Luke 11:1; Luke 22:41. THE HEAVEN. Singular. See notes on Matthew 6:9;...